A new feather mite of the genus Neodectes Park and Atyeo 1971 (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from New Zealand wrens (Passeriformes: Acanthisittidae).

A new feather mite species, Neodectes pilgrimi sp. n. (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae), is described from three species of New Zealand wrens (Passeriformes: Acanthisittidae): Xenicus gilviventris Pelzeln, 1867 (type host), X. longipes (Gmelin, 1789) (extinct species), and Acanthisitta chloris (Sparrman, 1787). Based on known host associations of the genus Neodectes, it is hypothesized that Neodectes pilgrimi sp. n. has a secondary origin on New Zealand wrens and was probably transferred onto the ancestor of its hosts from honeyeaters (Passeriformes: Meliphagidae).