Showing papers in "International Journal of Acarology in 2015"
TL;DR: This study highlights the collection of ticks from wild-caught birds in central and eastern Canada, and reports the first B. burgdorferi-positive I. scapularis (nymph) on a migratory passerine in Prince Edward Island; this is the first record of a tick on a bird in this maritime province.
Abstract: This study highlights the collection of ticks from wild-caught birds in central and eastern Canada. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 32 (33%) of 98 Ixodes species ticks tested were positive for the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt, and Brenner (hereafter B. burgdorferi). Immature blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis Say, which are competent vectors of B. burgdorferi, constituted the predominant Ixodes species tick collected from parasitized songbirds; specifically, 31(35%) of 89 I. scapularis nymphs were positive for B. burgdorferi. Notably, we report the first B. burgdorferi-positive I. scapularis (nymph) on a migratory passerine in Prince Edward Island; this is the first record of a tick on a bird in this maritime province. First-time records of B. burgdorferi-infected, I. scapularis nymphs on passerines in northwestern Ontario include rose-breasted grosbeak, Pheucticus ludovicianus (Linnaeus), eastern bluebird, Sialia sialis (L.), a...
29 citations
TL;DR: This species can be distinguished by having apodemal marking, eyes and pob absent, one pair of extra and non-setose dorsal shields, suranal shield entire, genual setal formula 5(+1κ)–5–2–2, terminal eupathidion on palpal tarsus trident, IVω present.
Abstract: Stigmaeus erzincanus sp. nov. collected from soil and litter under Pinus sylvestris, Erzincan, Turkey is described and illustrated here. This species can clearly be distinguished by having apodemal marking, eyes and pob absent, one pair of extra and non-setose dorsal shields, suranal shield entire, genual setal formula 5(+1κ)–5–2–2, terminal eupathidion on palpal tarsus trident, IVω present.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:958FBE0C-859A-45C9-B730-998F65506FD7
26 citations
TL;DR: A new species of the feather mite genus Trouessartia Canestrini is described from Myiobius atricaudus Lawrence, 1863 (Aves: Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) from Brazil.
Abstract: A new species of the feather mite genus Trouessartia Canestrini (Acari: Trouessartiidae) is described from Myiobius atricaudus Lawrence, 1863 (Aves: Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) from Brazil. Trouessartia longiducta sp. nov. is remarkable in having the longest external copulatory tube in females among species of the genus Trouessartia. It differs from the closest species T. geospiza OConnor et al., 2005 in having the female copulatory tube extending beyond the level of lobar apices.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E46D73C3-0C6E-4A96-8F60-DCF84A3ED500
20 citations
TL;DR: Twenty-six phytophagous, predacious and generalist mite species were found on the weed species Datura stramonium in the vicinity of solanaceous vegetables from two locations in Turkey during 2009–2010, and Sorenson’s coefficient confirmed that there were positive predator–prey associations among spider mites and these predacious mites.
Abstract: Twenty-six phytophagous, predacious and generalist mite species were found on the weed species Datura stramonium in the vicinity of solanaceous vegetables from two locations in Turkey during 2009–2010. Of seven species of phytophagous mites, Tetranychus urticae was the predominant species on the weed leaves. Additionally, 15 predacious mite species from seven families were identified: Phytoseiidae, Anystidae, Stigmaeidae, Bdellidae, Ascidae, Ameroseiidae and Iolinidae. Phytoseiidae (nine species) and Iolinidae (one species) were the most abundant predacious mites in the families. The dominant predacious species were Cydnodromus californicus and Pronematus ubiquitus. The Shannon index (H′), a biodiversity parameter of the predacious mites was very high compared to that of phytophagous mites that occurred at a high density. Among four generalist species from three families (Tydeidae, Acaridae and Oribatidae), one species, Zygoribatula microporosa, was found in the Turkish mite fauna. In Ankara, the populati...
19 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that Colopalpus be reinstated as a valid genus based on previously unknown morphological data for C. matthyssei and C. nambii obtained using low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM).
Abstract: We discuss the taxonomic history of the genus Colopalpus Pritchard and Baker 1958, and redescribe the female, male and deutonymph of the type species, C. matthyssei (Pritchard and Baker). We provide previously unknown morphological data for C. matthyssei, in addition to complementary information on the morphology of C. nambii (Castro and Feres) obtained using low temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM). Our results show that both C. matthyssei and C. nambii share characters with the genera Tenuipalpus and Brevipalpus. Based on these findings, we propose that Colopalpus be reinstated as a valid genus. We discuss the characters shared by Colopalpus, Tenuipalpus and Brevipalpus, and also provide a list of species that are transferred to the genus Colopalpus.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1A296CBB-4B02-41CD-86E6-1418F5A7F291
17 citations
TL;DR: The effect of four ambient temperatures on demographic parameters of C. irani was determined and the highest value of egg hatching rate and the survival rate for immature stages was found at 30°C, while the mean generation time significantly decreased from 62.41 ± 0.33 days with increasing temperature from 20°C to 32°C.
Abstract: Cenopalpus irani Dosse (Tenuipalpidae) is one of the important pests of apple trees that is widely distributed in apple orchards located in the Western regions of Iran. The effect of four ambient temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 32°C) on demographic parameters of C. irani was determined under laboratory conditions at 50 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (light: dark) fed on apple leaves. The total developmental time of immature stages of C. irani decreased with increasing temperature from 20°C to 32°C. Total egg-to-adult development time varied from 19.74 ± 0.29 to 47.63 ± 0.49 days for C. irani females. The highest value of egg hatching rate (95%) and the survival rate for immature stages (89.5%) was found at 30°C. The longest and shortest oviposition periods were recorded at 20°C (50.17 ± 1.55 days) and 32°C (26.38 ± 0.81 days), respectively. The value of fecundity increased as increasing temperature from 20°C (25.78 ± 0.99 eggs) to 30°C (34.60 ± 1.21 eggs), then decreased at 32°C (29....
17 citations
TL;DR: The setal diagnostic character of Melanozetes is followed, supported by the size of humeral macrosclerite in the juveniles, with seta c1, and the length and location of solenidion ω2 on tarsus I of nymphs and adults.
Abstract: In this study the morphological ontogeny of Melanozetes azoricus Weigmann, 1976 is described and illustrated for the first time and compared with that of other species of Melanozetes Hull, 1916. The juveniles of M. azoricus have a humeral organ and a humeral macrosclerite, with seta c1, that is typical of Melanozetes, and all juvenile stages and adult have broad leg femora, with large ventral carina, which often occur in Melanozetes. The juveniles of M. azoricus differ from those of other species by the shape of most gastronotal setae, whereas the adult differs mainly by the body size, shape of lamellar cusp, presence and shape of the translamella and shape of notogastral setae. The diagnosis of Melanozetes is unclear in literature, but we follow the setal diagnostic character of Melanozetes (14 pairs, including c2 and c3) that is supported by the size of humeral macrosclerite in the juveniles, with seta c1, and the length and location of solenidion ω2 on tarsus I of nymphs and adults; this solenidion is ...
15 citations
TL;DR: The results of the analysis clearly show that the core of the examined mite communities consists of the same eurytopic species, whereas the occurrence of rare species with narrower ecological tolerances was probably to a large extent determined by the different microhabitat conditions in each of the examine areas.
Abstract: The study presented in the current article was carried out in two selected natural forest reserves in Poland, i.e. Jakubowo and Las Grądowy near Mogilnica in western Wielkopolska (Poland). The material for the analysis contains quantitative soil samples collected in the period 1978–1983 and more recent material from 2005, 2006 and 2011–2013. The major aim of the study was to establish the changes in species composition, frequency and abundance of Uropodina (Acari: Mesostigmata) mite communities in six plots in Jakubowo and Las Grądowy over a long-term period. The results of the analysis clearly show that the core of the examined mite communities consists of the same eurytopic species, whereas the occurrence of rare species with narrower ecological tolerances was probably to a large extent determined by the different microhabitat conditions in each of the examined areas. The most disturbing phenomenon observed during the research period, which lasted for over 36 years, is a considerable decrease in the abu...
15 citations
TL;DR: Overall, releasing N. californicus either alone or in combination with P. persimilis did not show any improvement in controlling to T. urticae on greenhouse eggplant when compared to the release of P. Persimilis alone, and the effectiveness of single and combined releases of Turkish populations of two predatory mite species was determined.
Abstract: Greenhouse experiments were conducted in the Fall of 2010 and Spring of 2011 to determine the effectiveness of single and combined releases of Turkish populations of two predatory mite species, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), for control of two spotted spider mite (red form) (Tetranychus urticae Koch) on eggplant. The same number of predators was released into cages in a greenhouse with similar numbers of spider mites. The control treatment had significantly higher numbers of T. urticae in both years except for 2010 when the N. californicus single treatment was not different. Among the predator release treatments, the lowest total mean number of T. urticae was found in the P. persimilis single releases in both seasons. These means were followed by the combined predatory mite and the N. californicus single release in 2011. In both years, P. persimilis numbers in both the single and combined treatments were significantly higher than the numbers of N. californic...
15 citations
TL;DR: This review focuses on the main phytophagous mites that infest the most commercially important cereals – rice, corn and wheat – summarizing the responses of the plants – physiological and molecular alterations – to mite infestation.
Abstract: Phytophagous mites (Acari) are agricultural pests that cause productivity and economic losses. Mite infestation is stressful for plants, hindering the development and harming photosynthetic structures and storage organs. In order to combat such damage, plants utilize molecular and physiological modifications, as well as the production of mite-inhibitory compounds. In this review, we focus on the main phytophagous mites that infest the most commercially important cereals – rice (Oryza sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) – summarizing the responses of the plants – physiological and molecular alterations – to mite infestation.
15 citations
TL;DR: The morphology, distribution, ecology, stage structure and sex ratio of the Arctic oribatid mite Oribatella arctica were investigated and the shape of the sensillus and the length of seta le were identified.
Abstract: In this study, the morphology, distribution, ecology, stage structure and sex ratio of the Arctic oribatid mite Oribatella arctica (Thor, 1930) were investigated. The juveniles of this species are similar to those of other species of Oribatella Banks, 1895, possessing mostly long and barbed prodorsal setae, long and barbed gastronotal setae in the larva and long, barbed peripheral gastronotal setae in the nymphs. The larva of O. arctica differs from that of most other Oribatella species principally by the shape of the sensillus and the length of seta le. Nymphs differ chiefly by the number and shape of some central setae (c1 and d-series) on the gastronotum and the attachment of the exuvial scalps of previous instars to the gastronotum. All nymphs of O. arctica have central setae c1, da and dm short and smooth, whereas the presence and shape of seta dp varies between nymphal stages (it can be long and barbed, short and smooth, alveolar or absent). Oribatella arctica nymphs rarely carry the exuvial scalps ...
TL;DR: A new species of Stigmaeus berwariensis sp.
Abstract: A new species of Stigmaeus berwariensis sp. nov. from eastern Turkey is described and illustrated. Eryngiopus coheni Vacante & Gerson 1987 is a new record for Turkish fauna.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7CB7CD0A-DE31-424B-A95D-DA65E169EE09
TL;DR: The Persea Mite Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker and Abbatiello, is reported for the first time in Italy, and was found on avocado in Sicily in August 2014.
Abstract: The Persea Mite Oligonychus perseae Tuttle, Baker and Abbatiello, is reported for the first time in Italy. The pest was found on avocado in Sicily (South Italy), in August 2014. The predatory mite Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese) was found in association with O. perseae colonies.
TL;DR: Evaluating the plant features of seven tomato varieties and the survival, development, oviposition and life table parameters of T. urticae found the tomato variety Y-67 was found to be very susceptible to the mite, and the densities of non-glandular and glandular trichomes in the susceptible variety were determined to be lower than in the Beaufort and some cultivated varieties.
Abstract: The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a serious pest of several crops, particularly tomato. Chemical control of the spider mite on this vegetable has not been very successful due to its rapid development of resistance to acaricides and insecticides. Tetranychus urticae performs differentially among tomato varieties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plant features (the density of non-glandular and glandular trichomes) of seven tomato varieties and the survival, development, oviposition and life table parameters of T. urticae on each variety. In addition, the current study was intended to establish the relationships between damage caused by the mites and the mite population level on different tomato varieties. We used one variety, Beaufort, derived from a cross between the wild tomato Solanum habrochaites Knapp & Spooner and the cultivated tomato Solanum lycopersicum L., and six cultivated varieties: Beril, Bt-236, Impala, Simena, Troy and Y-67. The study ...
TL;DR: It is concluded that Carabodella and Hardybodes are separate genera with easily distinguishable features and the particular characteristics of leg III in C. calcarata suggests a unique leg folding process compared to other genera in the family.
Abstract: Redescriptions of the Carabodidae species Carabodella calcarata and Hardybodes penicillatus were completed together with redefinition and comparison of the genera under investigation. Complementary study of H. penicillatus and H. flabellatus resulted in recognition of the same structures observed in H. mirabilis (type species of Hardybodes), while observations of Carabodella calcarata (type species of Carabodella) highlighted the substantial differences compared to Hardybodes and other genera of the Carabodidae family. We concluded that Carabodella and Hardybodes are separate genera with easily distinguishable features. The particular characteristics of leg III in C. calcarata suggests a unique leg folding process compared to other genera in the family.
TL;DR: Five pesticides, namely abamectin, bifenthrin, dimethoate, propargite and sulphur against Tetranychus urticae and residual toxicity of these pesticides to Neoseiulus californicus adults were determined.
Abstract: The present study was conducted to determine the direct and residual effects of five pesticides, namely abamectin, bifenthrin, dimethoate, propargite and sulphur against Tetranychus urticae and residual toxicity of these pesticides to Neoseiulus californicus adults. In the laboratory trials, except dimethoate, all the pesticide treatments caused 100% mortality of T. urticae adults within 24–48 hours. When toxicity to eggs was tested, the egg mortality for all pesticide treatments was significantly higher than the control. Except dimethoate, all the pesticides caused >90% egg mortality. In potted bean plants, all the pesticide treatments caused significant mortality of T. urticae populations over control up to 21 days. The residual effects of pesticides were tested on T. urticae and N. californicus using a leaf disc system in the laboratory. Mites were exposed to freshly sprayed leaf disc and after at 3, 7, 14 and 21. Abamectin showed higher efficacy against T. urticae but low toxicity against N. c...
TL;DR: The two most important factors affecting phoresy of mites on centipedes were the type of a tree stand, and deadwood availability, and the degree of anthropogenic impact seems to influence the intensity of carrier infestation.
Abstract: The current study concerns phoresy in uropodid mites on centipedes. Research was conducted for eight months (April–November 2006) in three habitat types, each exposed to different degrees of anthropogenic impact. The centipedes were collected monthly from all accessible microhabitats across the areas studied. We collected a total of 733 lithobiomorph centipedes representing three species. We found 43.8% of these individuals transported a total of 3376 specimens representing one Uropodina superfamily, i.e. phoretic deutonymphs of Oodinychus ovalis (CL Koch, 1839) (18%) and Uroobovella pulchella (Berlese, 1904) (82%). Mites were found on nearly all (99%) studied individuals of Lithobius forficatus (Linnaeus, 1758). The number of deutonymphs on one centipede varied from 1 to 273 specimens. The dynamics of phoresy was different for both uropodid species and each of the studied areas. The two most important factors affecting phoresy of mites on centipedes were the type of a tree stand (presence of particular t...
TL;DR: A new feather mite species is described, Cathartacarus coragyps sp.
Abstract: Feather mites (Acari: Astigmata: Analgoidea and Pterolichoidea) live in the plumage and on the skin of birds. Because of the huge diversity of birds in Brazil, several groups still remain almost unexplored concerning their feather mites. In this paper we describe a new feather mite species, Cathartacarus coragyps sp. n. (Gabuciniidae), from the Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus (Bechstein) (Cathartiformes, Cathartidae), and report seven species new for Brazil from birds of the orders Charadriiformes and Cariamiformes: Brephosceles chilensis Peterson, 1971 (Alloptidae), Bychovskiata chilensis Mironov and Dabert, 1995 (Avenzoariidae), Magimelia chilensis Dabert et al., 2002 (Pterolichidae), Sokoloviana chilensis Dabert and Ehrnsberger, 1996 (Ptiloxenidae), and Leptosphyra centropoda (Megnin, 1877) (Xolalgidae) from the Southern Lapwing, Vanellus chilensis (Molina), and Gabuciniella camptoloba Gaud and Atyeo, 1996 from the Red-legged Seriema, Cariama cristata (Linnaeus).http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:...
TL;DR: The morphology, distribution and ecology of Eupelops curtipilus (Berlese, 1916) and E. plicatus (C. L. Koch, 1835) are investigated and morphological characters of E upelops Ewing, 1917 are discussed.
Abstract: In this study, the morphology, distribution and ecology of Eupelops curtipilus (Berlese, 1916) and E. plicatus (C. L. Koch, 1835) are investigated and morphological characters of Eupelops Ewing, 1917 are discussed. The juveniles of these species have plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short and thin setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, which is typical of Phenopelopidae, whereas the length of marginal gastronotal setae differs in these species. Eupelops curtipilus has these setae short, except for a long and thick posterior seta h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs, whereas Eupelops plicatus has them longer and thicker, especially setae lp and h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs. The adults of E. curtipilus and E. plicatus have long, phylliform seta in, 10 pairs of notogastral setae, including three pairs of p-series, and three pairs of adanal setae, which are typical of Eupelops, but differ by the length and location of some notogastral setae. Eupelops curtip...
TL;DR: Mycobates sarekensis (Trägårdh, 1910) is a typical component of the Svalbard archipelago, but its morphological ontogeny is unknown, and distribution and biology are known poorly.
Abstract: Mycobates sarekensis (Tragardh, 1910) is a typical component of the Svalbard archipelago, but its morphological ontogeny is unknown, and distribution and biology are known poorly. The juveniles of this species are similar to those of other species of Mycobates with known ontogeny, but differ by the length of seta c3 in all juvenile stages and the presence of a humeral organ and gastronotal shield in the larva. The nymphs of M. sarekensis have shorter seta c3 than those of Mycobates acuspidatus and Mycobates royi, whereas the larva of M. sarekensis has shorter seta c3 than that of M. acuspidatus and has a humeral organ, which is absent in the latter species. The larva of M. royi differs from those of M. sarekensis and M. acuspidatus by presence of gastronotal shield, which is absent in other species. The adult of Mycobates tridactylus is similar to that of M. sarekensis and we provisionally consider it as a synonym of M. sarekensis. In Svalbard, this species achieved the highest density in swamp and wet mo...
TL;DR: The consequences of variable oviposition strategy, parental care and egg cannibalism in M. glaber are discussed in the context of maximization of reproductive success.
Abstract: In Macrocheles glaber (Muller), oviposition can involve either oviparity or egg production followed by immediate hatching of the larva, a process that may be called ovoviviparity. We observed three phases in the process of ovoviviparity: preoviposition behaviour, oviposition followed by holding the egg under the gnathosoma and hatching of the larva assisted by the female. Two factors appear to favour the occurrence of ovoviviparity in this species: poor feeding and poor substrate quality. We witnessed egg cannibalism four times in two of the four females that we observed. We discuss the consequences of variable oviposition strategy, parental care and egg cannibalism in M. glaber in the context of maximization of reproductive success.
TL;DR: Oplitis apicalis sp.
Abstract: Oplitis apicalis sp. nov. (Uropodina: Oplitidae) is described from three related species of ants in the genus Neoponera Emery, 1901 (Formicidae: Ponerinae) from the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:05CF98A6-BCB5-4991-96EB-F7B699E9D970
TL;DR: Based on these new species, Selenoribates shows the highest morphological diversity known among intertidal selenoribatid genera, and this may be related to the small body size of this taxon.
Abstract: Four new species of the oribatid mite genus Selenoribates from coasts of the Indo-Pacific and the Red Sea are described, Selenoribates asmodaeus sp. nov. from Singapore, Selenoribates arotroventer sp. nov. and Selenoribates niccus sp. nov. from the Maldives and Selenoribates divergens sp. nov. from Egypt. Selenoribates asmodaeus sp. nov. shows two horn-like notogastral projections like Selenoribates satanicus Pfingstl, 2013 but differs in the shape of sensillus, number of anal setae and the notogastral cerotegumental pattern. The other three new species are well distinguishable but share a unique character among Selenoribates species, namely branched lamellar and notogastral setae. Based on these new species, Selenoribates shows the highest morphological diversity known among intertidal selenoribatid genera, and this may be related to the small body size of this taxon. A detailed comparison of all described Selenoribates species further revealed three distinct morphological groups; first, a “foveiventris ...
TL;DR: The morphological and ecological differentiation of Eupelops Ewing, 1917 and Propelops Jacot, 1937 were investigated in the light of E upelops strenzkei and Propels canadensis, and this morphological character has generic value.
Abstract: In this study, the morphological and ecological differentiation of Eupelops Ewing, 1917 and Propelops Jacot, 1937 were investigated in the light of Eupelops strenzkei and Propelops canadensis. The juveniles of these species have plicate integument and a dorsoventrally flattened hysterosoma, with short and thin setae c1, c3 and of d-series on the gastronotum, whereas the shape of marginal gastronotal setae differs in these species. The juveniles of P. canadensis have all these setae short and thin, except for setae lp and of h-series in the tritonymph, which are usually longer and thicker than other setae, whereas those of E. strenzkei have most marginal setae on the gastronotum longer and thicker than other setae, especially lp and h1 in the larva and h3 in the nymphs. Moreover, P. canadensis has short seta h3 in the larva, whereas in E. strenzkei only a vestige of this seta remains, as in other Eupelops species, and this morphological character has generic value. The deutonymph, tritonymph and adult of P...
TL;DR: Four new Aceria species of eriophyoid mites found in Egypt are described and illustrated and these species were compared with other species collected from Acacia plants.
Abstract: Four new Aceria species of eriophyoid mites found in Egypt are described and illustrated. They are Aceria aegyptiacacia sp. nov., A. metwallii sp. nov., A. awadi sp. nov. and A. saidi sp. nov. collected from leaf galls of Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile (Leguminosae). The eriophyid mite species described here form red galls on the leaves. These species were compared with other species collected from Acacia plants.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C804A87A-3936-4D4A-A68A-257385FD2559
TL;DR: The mite Premicrodispus turkmenus Badoodam & Hajiqanbar sp.
Abstract: The mite Premicrodispus turkmenus Badoodam & Hajiqanbar sp. nov. is described and illustrated found in a vial containing Lucanus ibericus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae) in Golestan Province, northern Iran. Other records of microdispids are as follows: Paramicrodispus scarabidophilus Hajiqanbar and Rahiminejad, 2012 found in a vial containing Dorcus parallelus (Say, 1823) (Coleoptera: Lucanidae); Premicrodispus rackae Khaustov, 2006 found in a vial containing Oryctes nacicornis L. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae); and Premicrodispus acuitisetus Khaustov, 2009 associated with Pleurophorus anatolicus Petrovitz, 1961 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). Two latter species are new to mite fauna of Iran.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:FAB0BA47-7AA3-403C-88AD-6353B5D4DF0B
TL;DR: A new monotypic genus Parapediculaster Khaustov gen. nov. is described from Sphagnum mosses in southern Chile and a key to genera of the family Pygmephoridae is provided.
Abstract: A new monotypic genus Parapediculaster Khaustov gen. nov. (Acari: Pygmephoroidea: Pygmephoridae) with type species P. patagoniensis sp. nov. is described from Sphagnum mosses in southern Chile. A key to genera of the family Pygmephoridae is provided.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:174161BF-CB9A-4A18-BC6A-976CA25D57C2
TL;DR: The study evaluated the survival time of both predators feeding on whitefly Aleurothrixus floccosus (Aleyrodidae) colonies, walnut aphid Chromaphis juglandicola (Aphididae) honeydew, honey and water, indicating that, at moments of tetranychid scarcity, both predators exploit other food resources to survive.
Abstract: Oligota pygmaea and Parastethorus histrio are predators of Oligonychus yothersi, the most detrimental foliar pest of the avocado in Chile. Their incorporation and conservation as biological control agents in Integrated Pest Management programmes requires the development of rearing methods and life cycle studies. This paper studied the effects of different materials (gypsum plaster impressed with an array of shallow holes, wooden boxes imbedded in a gypsum block and corrugated cardboard placed on a smooth gypsum plaster base) on the survival, development and longevity of pupae and adults of O. pygmaea and P. histrio preying on O. yothersi. Oligota pygmaea pupae registered over 93% of survival on honeycombed gypsum plaster, this being a useful material to rear and maintain both predators. The egg-to-adult period was 24.38 ± 0.98 days for O. pygmaea and 19.64 ± 1.07 days for P. histrio, whereas the longevity of O. pygmaea adults was 134.03 ± 4.66 days and 120.47 ± 4.46 days for P. histrio. In additio...
TL;DR: Although mites do not select by host sex and their abundance was not affected by the host body size, their abundance per female host was greater than per male host, and the mite parasitism on nymphs was more than that on adults in Ap.
Abstract: Water mites are known to temporarily live on the surface of aquatic insects in their life cycle. Investigations of the host–parasite relationship between water mites and aquatic insects are quite limited in Japan. Therefore, we examined several aquatic hemipterans to clarify the parasitic nature of water mites on aquatic insects. During the survey, the following seven hemipteran species were collected from farm ponds and rice fields in Kanagawa, Yamanashi, and Hyogo prefectures in 2011 and 2012: Appasus japonicus, Appasus major, Laccotrephes japonensis, Aquarius paludum, Ranatra chinensis, Kirkaldyia deyrolli, and Notonecta triguttata. Among these species, water mites were found only on Ap. japonicus and R. chinensis. The water mites were all in a post-larval resting stage and identified as Hydrachna spp. The mites attached to R. chinensis were clearly larger than those on Ap. japonicus. Although mites do not select by host sex and their abundance was not affected by the host body size, their abundance pe...
TL;DR: A new monotypic genus Proreductodispus Khaustov and Tolstikov gen. nov. is described from mosses in southern Chile.
Abstract: A new monotypic genus Proreductodispus Khaustov and Tolstikov gen. nov. (Acari: Pygmephoroidea: Microdispidae) with type species Proreductodispus patagoniensis sp. nov. is described from mosses in southern Chile. A new species Phyllodispus spinosus Khaustov and Tolstikov sp. nov. is also described from mosses in southern Chile. The genus Phyllodispus Mahunka, 1970 is redefined.