A new species of Cosmolaelaps Berlese (Acari: Laelapidae) living in the nest of the ant Neoponera inversa (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Brazil

Abstract Until now the mite genus Cosmolaelps Berlese was represented in Brazil by eleven species. A new species, based on adults collected exclusively from the brood of the ponerine ant Neoponera inversa (Smith) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is described. Colonies of this ant were found in dried cocoa pods fallen on the floor of a cocoa tree plantation in southern Bahia. It is suggested that the mite uses the ant mainly for phoresy as these mostly arboreal ants, commonly change the site of their colony, quickly carrying the brood from one place to another.