New records of Eriophyidae and Tenuipalpidae mites (Acari: Prostigmata) on bougainvillea plants in South Africa

Bougainvillea plants, native of Brazil, are cultivated in home gardens South Africa. Vittacus bougainvilleae (Keifer) (Eriophyidae), Brevipalpus californicus s.l. (Banks) and yothersi Baker (Tenuipalpidae) recorded for the first time this country infesting bougainvillea plants. The rust mite, V. bougainvilleae, was detected Western Cape Province during summer season. Infested plants showed symptoms leaf rolling, as well flower drop. B. were Mpumalanga winter late autumn causing no obvious damage.