A new classification of lifestyles of phytoseiid mites is proposed based on the findings and suggestions from many studies conducted in the fifteen years since the publication of the lifestyle system by McMurtry & Croft (1997). In this newly proposed classification, Type I (Specialized mite predators) is divided into three subtypes to highlight mite prey specificity: subtype I-a—Specialized predators of Tetranychus species (Tetranychidae); subtype I-b—Specialized predators of web-nest producing mites (Tetranychidae); subtype I-c—Specialized predators of tydeoids (Tydeoidea). Type II (Selective predators of tetranychid mites) remains essentially the same. Type III (Generalist predators) is a huge and diverse group of general feeders; predators in this category are now grouped into five subtypes based on the microhabitat occupied and morphology: subtype III-a—Generalist predators living on pubescent leaves; subtype III-b—Generalist predators living on glabrous leaves; III-c—Generalist predators living in confined spaces on dicotyledonous plants; III-d—Generalist predators living in confined spaces on monocotyledonous plants; III-e—Generalist predators from soil/litter habitats. Type IV (Pollen feeding generalist predators) also remains essentially the same. Two possible additional lifestyles include phytoseiids living on aquatic plants and phytoseiids able to pierce leaf cells. Behavioral and biological information is updated and implications for biological control strategies are discussed.

The ability of predatory mites to endure starvation or low humidity is very important for them to maintain their populations in unfavorable environments. The effects of starvation and humidity on the development and survival of Amblyseius (Typhlodromips) swirskii, Amblyseius eharai and Agistemus exsertus were studied in the laboratory. The results showed that most eggs of A. eharai and A. exsertus could not hatch at relative humidities (RH) lower than 60%. Only A. swirskii larvae could develop into protonymph stage without prey at 60–100%RH among three species. When the prey was absent, protonymphs or gravid females of A. swirskiisurvived significantly longer than those of A. eharai at 60–100%RH, respectively. Furthermore, at lower humidities (60–70%RH) similar case was observed in the virgin female stage. In addition, nymphs and females of the two phytoseiid mites survived significantly longer than those of A. exsertus at 60–100%RH. It indicated that A. swirskii might be a stronger competitor relative to A. eharai or A. exsertus under starvation and low humidity conditions.

The identity of Neoseiulus californicus sensu lato is reviewed and its polymorphic nature in published descriptions is discussed. Some mistakes in previous redescriptions of this species are clarified by studying the voucher specimens. A new strain of this species was discovered from Eriobotrya japonica in Dinghushan National Nature Reserve, Zhaoqing, Guangdong Province, southern China, and both adult male and female of this population are redescribed. Previous records of N. californicus and N. fallacis in China are reviewed. Preanal glands are described for the first time for a phytoseiid species. World distribution records for N. californicus sensu lato are reviewed, with extension of its range to southern China and Australia/Oceania.

A new species Cheylostigmaeus mahvashae sp. nov. is described and figured based on males collected from soil under walnut and apricot trees, from Rijab valley, Sarpolzahab, Kermanshah Province, Iran.

A new species of the genus Storchia, S. elhamae sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on females collected from grass litters in Mahabad countryside, western Azerbaijan province, Iran. A key to all known species of the world is provided.

The genus Acaricis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) was represented by two species from Australian sedges prior to this study. A new species, Acaricis urigersoni sp. nov., is here described and illustrated from leaves of Gahnia lacera (Cyperaceae) in Auckland, New Zealand. In this paper, we presented the ontogenetic changes in idiosomal and leg chaetotaxy from larva to adult. A key to the world species of Acaricis is also proposed.

Tenuipalpus zahirii Khanjani & Seeman sp. nov., collected from leaves of hawthorn trees, Crataegus monogyna Jacq. (Rosaceae), and oleaster trees, Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae), is illustrated and described from Simin, Hamedan Province, Iran. This species is the first member of the Tenuipalpus proteae species group from Iran. A key to all known Iranian species is provided.

A new species of oribatid mite belonging to the family Haplozetidae, Baloghiella foveolata sp. nov., is described from Iran. The new species is characterized by the presence of round foveolae on the notogaster and ventral plate, long sensilli with a strongly dilated head that is pointed distally, strongly thickened lamellar setae, large sacculi with a long narrow neck and a short body length. An amended generic diagnosis is proposed.

Acaroid mites are among the economically important pests infesting various plant materials. In an attempt to investigate the status of the mite pest prevalence in Chinese traditional medicinal herbal materials, we collected 1,810 samples of crude herbs from certain traditional Chinese drugstores in Huainan City, Anhui Province, China. In total, 45 species of mites belonging to 25 genera and 10 families were identified. The findings revealed that 64% (1,165/1,810) of the samples were infested by mites, suggesting that acaroid mites are common in the medicinal herbs in stores in Anhui Province. Since some mites are well documented as allergen producers, greater concerns and important measures should be paid and taken to prevent the mites from infecting the herbs associated with public health.

The physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.) (Euphorbiaceae) has emerged as a new option in cultivation aimed at biodiesel production. In order to provide information that may be useful to further develop management plans for that specific crop, samples of mites were collected from cultured and wild J. curcas plants in various regions of the country and from two other species of the same genus, Jatropha gossypiifolia L. and Jatropha mollissima (Pohl) Baill. in the northeastern region of Brazil. Altogether 31 species belonging to 10 families were recorded. The family Phytoseiidae presented the largest number of species (17). Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (Tarsonemidae) was the most abundant species (8,503 specimens). A dichotomous key was prepared to identify all the sampled species. At least four mite species of the samples deserve attention as showing potential for being pests in the crops of J. curcas, Brevipalpus phoenicis, Brevipalpus obovatus, Polyphagotarsonemus latus and Tetranychus bastosi, the latter two often found in great abundance.

Heath, A.C.G. (2013) Implications for New Zealand of potentially invasive ticks sympatric with Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann, 1901 (Acari: Ixodidae). Systematic & Applied Acarology, 18(1), 1–26.

Table 4 (pp. 12–13): delete the following host records: dog or cat for Dermacentor taiwanensis; human for Haemaphysalis ias; rodent or mustelid for Haemaphysalis megaspinosa; reptiles for Ixodes acuminatus; and ungulates for Ixodes turdus.

Acknowledgements (p. 20): Thanks are also owed to Scott Hardwick, AgResearch Lincoln, for allowing the use of unpublished material, and to Brian and Nancy Vander Velde, Guam, for alerting me to a Micronesian record of H. longicornis.