Differs from the other members of the genus by having:
- Three pairs of sternal setae and a macroseta on leg genu IV (P. longipes has only two pairs of sternals (st1-2) and no genu IV macroseta).
- Sparsely spiculed dorsal setae j6 that are longer than Z1, a sparsely spiculed genu IV macroseta and no preanal setae on the female ventrianal shield (P. fragariae has smooth j6 that are shorter than Z1, a smooth genu IV macroseta and one pair of preanal setae on the shield).
- Longer setae j6 (145-160 micrometres), Z1 (105-115) and Z4 (131-138), a smooth leg basitarsus IV macroseta and no preanal setae on the female ventrianal shield (P. macropilis has shorter j6 (123-135), Z1 (95-101) and Z4 (105-123), a sparsely spiculed basitarsus IV macroseta and usually one pair of preanal setae on the shield). (Takahashi and Chant, 1993b)