Human babesiosis is a malaria-like illness caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Babesia. In the United States, the most commonly identified pathogen for human infections is Babesia microti which is transmitted principally by the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. This article reviews epidemiological aspects of the disease with focus on its tick vector and transmission risk. Clinical presentations, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease are also briefly discussed.

A review of eriophyoid mites of economic importance in China was made. Eriophyoid mites on apple, blackcurrant, Chinese mulberry, citrus, grape, litchi, mango, peach & cherry, ornamental trees, pear, sugarcane, tea and wheat are listed and introduced. Economically important eriophyoid mites are also evaluated. Current situation in eriophyoid mite research in China is analysed with suggestions on improving studies in research methods, international exchange and more investment from the government.

Host utilization patterns of species of Hemisarcoptes (Acari: Astigmata: Hemisarcoptidae), which parasitize armored scale insects (Homoptera: Diaspididae), are reviewed. The mites optimally parasitize ovipositing scale females, on which they exhibit an aggregated distribution and produce the most progeny. However, Hemisarcoptes spp. cannot attack this stage of the California red scale [Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell)] because the host body is appressed to its shield; the parasite therefore subsists on younger scale stages. Due to the slower development of univoltine scales in colder climates, ovipositing females are available to the mites only briefly, and so suboptimal host immature stages are mostly attacked. Host plants of the scales affect mite life history by having rough or smooth surfaces, which engender, respectively, easy or difficult access beneath diaspidid shield covers. During their deutonymphal (hypopodial) stage, species of Hemisarcoptes are disseminated by coccinellid beetles of the genus Chilocorus. These deutonymphs appear to obtain some molt-inducing chemicals from the beetles, which may therefore be regarded as true hosts. Deutonymphs prefer to settle on glabrous areas on the underside of beetle elytra; these areas differ in size among species of Chilocorus and thus influence their mite-carrying capacity. The diet of beetle larvae affected the sex ratio of mites which had sojourned on them. These different patterns of host (scale and/or plant and/or beetle) utilization may affect the efficacy of Hemisarcoptes spp. as biological control agents.

To identify potential vectors of Lyme disease in China, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect fla-gene DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi in various species of ticks. A 126-bp product defined by the specific primers was detected in all seven geographic strains of B. burgdorferi isolated from Ixodes persulcatus Schulze and Clethrionomys rufocanus Sundevall. When the PCR was applied to tick specimens stored in museum, the minimal positive rate of five pools (138 ticks) of I. persulcatus was 4.3%. Of twelve Ixodes granulatus Supino examined, 25.0% were positive. There was no evidence for B. burgdorferi in other species of ticks.

Genome—specific DNA from four species of spider mites (Tetranychus urticae, T. truncatus, T. cinnabarinus and Panonychus citri) were determined by RAPD (random amplified polymorphism DNA) technology. We designed four oligonucleotide fragments (MIP1, MIP2, VP1 and VP4) as single primers to amplify genomic DNA of these species. Two primers, MIP1 and VP4, were proven to be useful and generated different banding genome—specific DNA fingerprints from the RAPD products. The pattern of bands showed DNA fragments with the size of 455–172bp. Although the pattens of bands varied using different primers, the conclusions of the relationship between four species were similar: T. urticae and T. cinnabarinus are more closely related to each other than to other species. By comparing and analyzing this information, we could distinguish the spider mites at the molecular level.

The products synthesized by the synganglion of Haemaphysalis longicornis were studied in vitro by tissue incubation, thin-layer-chromatography (TLC) and radiochemical assay. The results suggested that the synganglion produced radioisotope-labelled substances when incubated in vitro following a radiochemical assay. The ³H radioactivity (3572 dpm) of hexane extract contained 2 synganglia which was about 41 times that (87 dpm) of the control without synganglion. TLC and LSS analysis revealed that the synthesized products comprised two components: one co-chromatography with standard JH III (Rf = 0.81) and the other (Rf = 0.43) not co-chromatography with standard JHB₃, JH III and MF. Our results suggested that the synganglion may synthesize JH III and an unknown substance in this tick.

Fresh eggs were collected daily from ovipositing female Haemaphysalis longicornis, homogenized and then centrifuged. The supernatant was applied to a gel filtration column of Sepharose CL-4B and then to an ion exchange column of DEAE-cellulose (52); two vitellins (VnA and VnB) were purified. Native PAGE showed that VnA and VnB had equal molecular weights (about 220 kda). The female haemolymph at vitellogenesis period also showed Vn bands. Four similiar polypeptides (molecular weight about 67, 64, 52, 48 kda) for both VnA and VnB were demonstrated by SDS-PAGE.

The carmine spider mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduvals) is a serious pest on vegetable and fibre crops often causes considerable loss in yield. Previous reports have shown that the increase in activity of glutathion-S-aromatic groups transferases (GSAT) is an important mechanism of pest resistance to organophosphorus pesticides. GSAT and GSH-S-alkyltransterases of GSH-S-transferases in the pest body are mainly associated with pesticide resistance. In this paper, the regression method was adopted to select the optimal combination of different buffer pH value, reaction temperature, reaction time and substrate concentration for determining the enzyme activity in spider mites. Five levels of the four factors were tested and the experiments were conducted under the condition of interaction between the factors. The results showed that GSAT had the highest activity under the following combination of the four factors: buffer pH 7.8, reaction temperature 25°C, reaction time 35 minutes, and concentration of substrate 0.125 M. This combination is therefore considered as optimal conditions for determining the activity of GSAT of the spider mite, and can be used to determine the change of enzyme activity caused by pesticide resistance in these mites.

Laboratory and field trials were conducted in mushroom crops to assess the possibility for biological control of Lycoriella solani (Winnertz) which infests cultivated mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus). Laboratory trials in mini bags containing mushroom compost showed that the predatory mite Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) could suppress populations of its prey to very low levels. To assess the possibility for biological control of L. solani on a larger scale, trials were carried out in commercial growing bags on a mushroom farm. The mite suppressed its prey to very low densities. All instars of the mite were recorded in the treatments, whether introduced with L. solani or without. The number of H. miles was higher when introduced with L. solani than without. Crop yield was higher where the predators had been introduced at spawning, and more mushrooms were produced when predators were introduced at the spawning and casing period.

The developmental times, food consumption, fecundity and adult size of Hypoaspis miles were studied in the laboratory using Acarus siro, Lycoriella solani and Heteropeza pygmaea as food sources. Hypoaspis miles successfully developed when fed on A. siro, and L. solani in the laboratory. Food types greatly affected predator development time, feeding capacity, female fecundity and adult size. Statistically significant differences were recorded for all biological aspects of Hypoaspis miles. Acarus siro and Lycoriella solani were proved to be the most suitable type of food for the predator mite.

Laelaps echidninus and Laelaps nuttalli are two important species of gamasid mites in both indoor and outdoor cultivated habitats in western Yunnan, China. The common dominant rodent hosts of these two gamasid mites are Rattus flavipectus, Rattus norvegicus and Rattus nitidus. Spatial patterns of the two species of gamasid mites among the individuals of their dominant hosts were studied in this paper. Iwao's linear regression method and a significance test of random deviation for the method were used. In the light of Iwao's method, two regression equations were established. The equation for L. echidninus is M^* = 4.97 3.05 M (a = 4.97, b = 3.05) and other for L. nuttalli is M^* = 2.93 4.81 M (a = 2.93, b = 4.81). Both a and b in these two equations are considerably higher than 0 and 1, the border values for determining spatial pattern of populations. The F values are 13.30 (F >F_0.01(2,8),(2,8), P > 0.01) for L. echidninus and 10.22 (F >F_0.01(2,8), P<0.01) for L. nuttalli respectively in the significance test of random. The spatial patterns of L. echidninus and L. nuttalli among the individuals of their dominant hosts are of aggregated distribution.

The minute chalcid wasp, Ixodiphagus hookeri, is known as a parasitoid of several ixodid ticks including the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis. We determined quantitatively the prevalence and seasonal activity of the wasp in its tick host, I. scapularis, on Prudence Island, Rhode Island, USA. From May through August in 1988 and 1989, the seasonal peak of nymphal ticks was reached in June. The highest prevalence of wasp parasitism in tick hosts occurred in May, approximately one month earlier than the seasonal peak of the tick. In addition, we observed that wasp parasitism was more prevalent in host-seeking nymphs than in engorged ones collected from white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) over the same time period (χ² = 39.47, P < 0.001). We suggest that I. hookeri is likely to overwinter as non-embryonated eggs inside nymphal I. scapularis and the animal host of the tick may play an important role in attracting female wasps to attached ticks for oviposition. Furthermore, wasp parasitism may have inhibitory effects on the host attachment of the tick.

This study was conducted under laboratory conditions to determine the suitability of Brevipalpus obovatus Donnadieu as a prey to Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark & Muma. N. idaeus took longer to develop to adulthood and practically did not oviposit when fed exclusively a combination of all stages of B. obovatus. The duration of the combined immature stages of N. idaeus on a combination of B. obovatus and M. tanajoa was about the same when the predator was fed only M. tanajoa. Oviposition rate was however lower on that diet, resulting in a slightly lower value of r_m. The results indicated that B. obovatus by itself is favorable for the survivorship but unfavorable for the reproduction of N. idaeus, despite their common occurrence on cassava plants.

It is believed that the current method of using sticky glass slides or plates to monitor airborne eriophyoids is inefficient and inappropriate. A new method of sampling airborne mites using shallow pan traps with soapy water and vacuum-filtration on microfilter paper proved far superior to previous methods and resulted in perfect specimens. The method is about five times more effective for trapping mites and 20 times more labor efficient for processing samples. It is a powerful tool for investigation of airborne activity and taxonomic study of eriophyoids and other minute arthropods.

Using cellophane adhesive-tape method, an investigation of demodicid infestation in 2160 students was carried out in Changsha of Huanan province, China. The results shows that the total infestation rate was 19.68%, that there was no significant difference in the demodicid infestation rate between male and female students, the infestation rate of university undergraduates was higher than that of high school students and that most of them were infested with Demodex follicuorum. The detection rate (51. 52%) for three-time examination was higher than the detection rate (28.79%) for one-time examination. The false negative rate of one-time and two-time examination in 34 individuals infested with demodicids was 44.12% and 17. 65% respectively. The study suggested that the detection rate could be improved by increasing examination time and that there was correlation between the type of skin lesion and the demodicid infestation. The results of local application and in vitro acaricidal test of 3% Man Nai Jing and 1% metronidazole cream indicated that the acaricidal effectiveness of Man Nai Jing was superior to 1% metronidazole cream and there was no significant difference in the immediate effectiveness on skin lesion for two drugs.

Attachment sites of larvae of Allothrombium pulvinum Ewing (Acari: Trombidiidae) on aphid hosts, Liosomaphis berberidis (Kaltenbach), Macrosiphum rosae L., Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Periphyllus testudinaceus (Fernie) and Drepanosiphum platanoidis (Schrank), were studied in the laboratory. Mites often came into contact with their host's by legs (or antennae) and climbed onto the body of the host via them. The host often shook its body and legs in defence, but the mites were often able to cling onto the host using the claws and claw-like empodia of their legs. They then searched on the surface of the host for an attachment site. Once attached, they usually did not move unless disturbed. The frequencies of attachment on the dorsal, lateral or ventral surfaces were similar on the head, thorax and abdomen of the five aphid species tested. On most host species, the thorax was the most preferred body segment (frequency of attachment 58–68 %) and the head was the least preferred site (frequency of attachment <5 %); an exception was D. platanoidis, on which the thorax and abdomen were equally preferred by mites. Frequencies of mite attachment were similar for the dorsal, lateral or ventral surfaces of the body on P. testudinaceus and D. platanoidis. On L. berberidis and Macrosiphum rosae, the ventral surface was most preferred (frequency of attachment 49–54%), whereas the dorsal and lateral surfaces were equally preferred (frequency of attachment 22–27%). The frequency of attachment for Myzus persicae, however, was highest on the ventral surface (45%) and lowest on the lateral surface (19%). The results of this study are discussed in light of a previous hypothesis on the behaviour underlying patterns of mite attachment on aphid hosts.

An interactive system made of Solanum melongena L. and Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) was used to study the relationship between T. cinnabarinus population dynamics and S. melongena physiological changes in this paper. Continuous measurements of PAL (a key enzyme in propylbenzene metabolism pathway) and G6PD (a representative enzyme in plant primary metabolism) activity shed new light on S. melongena's stress reaction caused by T. cinnabarinus piercing-sucking. Results showed that changes in enzyme activity was correlated with the strength of T. cinnabarinus stress and both were fluctuating during the interaction. It was concluded that the defence of S. melongena when attacked by T. cinnabarinus was an entire stress reaction coordinated by primary and secondary metabolism, and was a self-regulated, fluctuating, normal physiological process.

A field experiment system was established to study the interaction between Solanum melongena L. and Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisduval with emphasis on plant stress reaction mechanism under pest pressure. It was discovered and proved for the first time that piercing-sucking of T. cinnabarinus could induce accumulation of HRGP, a structural protein of plant cell wall in S. melongena leaves. This induced response has certain characteristics similar to other induced responses; e.g. the induction could be transmitted in the plant with temporal dynamics and its strength was correlated with the extent of injury. Observations on the activity of GDH enzyme showed that plant stress reaction was a combination of various physiological metabolic reactions which constitutes the self-regulative and integrated defense process of plants.

A significant correlation exists between mite allergen exposure levels and asthmatic attacks of the mite allergic patients. It is very important to measure the allergen levels in the environment. House dust mites and major allergen levels of Der p 1 and Der f 1 in pillow and mattress dust in Shanghai were detected with monoclonal antibodies by biotin-avidin ELISA. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was the predominant species in pillows and mattresses in Shanghai. The levels of Der p 1 were high in bedding dust samples in this area. The density of D. farinae was very low and Der f 1 was negligible. It is important to monitor the density of D. pteronyssinus. Reduction of the density of house dust mites and their allergen levels in patient's houses has the potential to reduce the incidence of risk of asthma attacks.

A review of the genus Okiseius was made. The generic characters were revised and seven species from China, including one new species were reported. A key to Chinese species was also given.

This study comprises a review and key to species of the genus Phytoseius distributed in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. It deals with 3 subgenera, 8 species groups and 31 species, including a checklist of species, a description of the new species, Phytoseius (Dubininellus) longchuanensis Wu, and six new synonyms in the following: Phytoseius wuxianensis Xin, Liang et Ke as a junior synonym of Phytoseius minutus Narayanan, Kaur et Ghai; Phytoseius jianfengensis Chen, Chu et Zhou as a junior synonym of Phytoseius haweiiensis Prasad; Phytoseius (Phytoseius)shanghaiensis Xin, Liang et Ke as a junior synonym of Phytoseius (Dubininellus) nipponicus Ehara; Phytoseius (Dubininellus) silvaticus Wu et Li as a junior synonym of Phytoseius (Dubininellus) huaxiensis Xin, Liang et Ke; Phytoseius xilingensis Wang et Xu as a junior synonym of Phytoseius (Dubininellus) scabiosus Xin, Liang et Ke; Phytoseius (Phytoseius) mori Xin, Liang et Ke as a junior synonym of Phytoseius (Dubininellus) rubii Xin, Liang et Ke.

The genus Storchia Oudemans is reviewed. A key to species is provided. A new species, Storchia cuneata, is described from China.

A new species, Scirula papillata sp. nov., is described and illustrated from moss in China. Types were deposited in the Collection of Plant Protection Research Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China.

A new species, Grallacheles nanfengensis sp.nov., is described. Type specimens were deposited in the Biology Department of Nanchang University, China.

Steneotarsonemus longicorpus sp. nov. (Acari: Tarsonemidae) is described from Timmorgarah in Pakistan. The holotype is deposited in the Natural History Museum, London.

Tetranychus ogmophallos n.sp. (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Aceria pintoi n.sp. (Acari: Eriophyidae)are described from Arachis pintoi (Krap. & Greg.)(Fabaceae). Since T. ogmophallos thrives on peanuts (Arachis hypogoea L.) and on Arachis prostrata Benth. it is suggested that stolons of A. pintoi should not be used as a means of propagation since they can easily carry a potential pest to at least one economic crop, peanuts.

The rediscovery of Catarhinus tricholaenae Keifer, 1959 in Brazil is reported and the male described for the first time, and Oligonychus zeae (McGregor, 1955) is reappraised.

Two morphological forms of petioles and two morphological forms of cauda are defined respectively based on discrete morphological study of the male cauda and petiole in 22 species belonging to four subgenera, Arrenurus, Micruracarus, Megaluracarus and Truncaturus of the genus Arrenurus. The relationships between the 22 species were studied with a cladistic analysis using 29 morphological characters. The results show that there appear to be six phylogenetic lines in male cauda and petiole of the genus. It is considered that the development of male cauda, petiole and IV-L-4 spur, is driven by behavioural evolution of reproductive mechanism from non-mating (indirect sperm transfer) to mating (direct sperm transfer). The possible evolutionary line(s) and relationships between forms of male cauda and petiole are discussed in detail and illustrated. The results of the cladistic analysis support the monophyly of the genus Arrenurus but do not support the present subgeneric classification of the genus. Based on phylogenetic relationships among studied species in best resolved trees, a classification of seven species groups is presented, which might lead to a better and more practical subgeneric classification with further studies using more taxa.

Parashunsennia Kumada, 1956 is as a subgenus of the genus Shunsennia Jameson et Toshioka, 1953 in the present article. Shunsennia (Parashunsennia) marmota, sp.nov. is described from à larva parasitic on marmota in Taojiang, Gansu, China. A key to the species of the genus in China is given.

Walchia marmota sp.nov. from Marmota himalayana Hodgson collected in the western Sichuan is described. The new species is characterized by fcx = 1.1.3(4), fp = B.B.NBB, pt² = 0 and pentagonal scutum with all setae slender.

Larvae of Allothrombium monochaetum Goldarazena & Zhang sp. nov. are described in this paper. Allothrombium triticium Zhang, 1995 is reported for the first time in the Iberian Peninsula. A list of aphid hosts of A. monochaetum Goldarazena & Zhang, A. triticium Zhang and A. pulvinum Ewing and a key to larval species of Allothrombium recorded in Spain are provided.

Paratrombium welbourni Goldarazena & Zhang sp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiidae) is described from a larva parasitic on Aphis sp. (Homoptera: Aphididae) from Navarra-Nafarroa (Spain). This is the first record of Paratrombium larvae as parasites of aphids. Known host records of Paratrombium larvae are reviewed.

Grandjeanella haitlingeri Goldarazena & Zhang sp. nov. (Acari: Erythraeidae) is described from a larva parasitic on Heteroptera in Spain. The genus Grandjeanella (Acari: Erythraeidae) is reported for the first time on Heteroptera and a key to non-Australian species of Grandjeanella is provided.

Odontocepheus beijingensis sp. nov. (Oribatida: Carabodidae) is described from China. The genus Odontocepheus is reported for the first time from China.

From 1991 to 1995 potential tick vectors of Lyme disease were studied in the forests and pastures in Gansu province. The ticks were collected from different species of wild animals and livestock. After identification, some specimens of each tick species were dissected for detecting the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi under a dark-field microscope. Other specimens were cultured and identified with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. The morphology of the organisms was observed with an electron microscope. From two endemic areas of Lyme disease in Gansu province, 16 species of ticks belonging to 7 genera of 2 families were identified. The overall B. burgdorferi infection rate detected from midgut smears of the four infected tick species was 12.16% (22/181). The infection rates of each species were as follows: Dermacentor silvarum 13.33%, D. nuttalli 12.68%, Haemaphysalis japonica 20.0%, Ixodes crenulatus 3.57 %. Sixty-five pools of D. silvarum and D. nuttalli and H. japonica were inoculated and cultured in BAS-II media; the positive rate for B. burgdorferi was 7.32% (3/41) for D. silvarum, 36.84% (7/19) for D. nuttalli and 40% (2/5) for H. japonica.

A survey of mites infesting foodstuffs from four provinces of China have been conducted. Seventy-nine mite species belonging to 25 families in four orders are recorded.

The taxonomic position of Protopenthalodes Jesionowska is reviewed. It does not belong to the family. Penthalodidae, as suggested by the original author, but shares many characteristics of the Eupodidae and some of Penthaleidae. It is suggested that it is more appropriate to place it in the Eupodidae for the time being until a comprehensive study on the Eupodoidea is carried out.