A new species of spider mite, Oligonychus calicicola (Acari: Tetranychidae), damaging date fruit, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae), in Australia

Oligonychus calicicola sp. n. is described and illustrated. It was found inhabiting the calyx of dates, Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae), in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. Oligonychus caliciola causes prolific scarring of dates, but the geographic origin of this new species is unknown.