We describe a new species of flat mite from the genus Tenuipalpus, collected on the leaves of Vernicia montana Lour. (Euphorbiaceae), an important oil-producing tree widely distributed in southern China. This is the first species of flat mite from Vernicia. Detailed descriptions and illustrations of the ontogenetic development of the idiosoma and leg chaetotaxy are presented for both adult (female and male) and immature stages. This study adds to the known diversity of the genus Tenuipalpus.