Gaeolaelaps sp., an unusual species of Hypoaspidine mite (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) phoretic on the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Louisiana

A new species of hypoaspidine laelapid mite, Gaeolaelaps sp., associated with the Red Imported Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta Buren in the southern United States of America is described. This new species is unusual among the gamasine Mesostigmata in lacking a postanal seta in adults of both sexes and among species of Gaeolaelaps in being phoretic on dispersing male and female alate ants, lacking dorsal shield setae z3 and J1, and in having a separate anal shield in the adult male. The chelicerae of this new species are similar to free-living forms, suggesting that it may be a predator of small invertebrates in the ant colony.