Migratory birds disperse engorged ticks across Canada during northward spring migration. During our tick-host study, we collected a nymphal Amblyomma rotundatum Koch, from a Veery, Catharus fuscescens (Stephens) (Passeriformes: Turdidae), at Long Point, Ontario, Canada. In the laboratory, this nymph molted to a female in 44 d. The infestation of A. rotundatum on a Veery constitutes a first tick-host record, and a new distributional record in Canada. Notably, this novel collection is the northernmost record of A. rotundatum and the first record of this species on a bird anywhere. We provide formidable evidence that migratory songbirds can carry A. rotundatum thousands of kilometers during northward spring migration. From an epidemiological perspective, A. rotundatum is known to harbor bacteria that are pathogenic to humans. Health-care providers should take note that migratory songbirds can transport A. rotundatum into Canada, and be alert that this tick species signifies an unforeseen public health risk to humans.

In microcosm set-ups we investigated whether combined releases of the predatory thrips Scolothrips longicornis Priesner and two phytoseiid species, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein & Arutunjan provide better biological control of Tetranychus urticae Koch on cucumber plants than releases of each predator species alone. Results showed that control of T. urticae populations was equivalent under all predator combinations as in single predator release, indicating that no additive or synergistic effects among three predatory species had occurred in the control of the prey. In addition, the densities of each predator species under different combinations were similar, indicating that the three predators did not prey on each other during the observation period. Overall, our results showed that all three predator species are effective predators of T. urticae under microcosm conditions and suggest that they can be used in combination without decreased efficacy through intraguild predation.

The relation of particular species of Acari with soil functions regarding organic matter decomposition and nutrient recycling is not clear. Furthermore it is not known if distinguishable Acari species are more efficient to lead to an increase in the rate of mass loss of leaf litter or to favour the development of the microflora on leaf litter. We tackled this dilemma by growing selected mites on defaunated leaf litter of Austrocedrus chilensis. We tested for changes in the biomass of leaf litter in the presence or the absence of the mites. We used four species of oribatid mites which are usual inhabitants of the leaf litter of Austrocedrus chilensis in forests of Argentina´s Northwestern Patagonia: Anderemaeus magellanis, Cosmochthonius semifoveolatus, Lanceoppia kovacsi and Nothrus peruensis. After 3 months, the development of fungal growth in the presence of mites was evident. Containers with only C. semifoveolatus and L. kovacsi showed greater development of fungal biomass than those with A. magellanis or N. peruensis, evidencing specific differences in the enhancement effect. In the presence of C. semifoveolatus, mycelial diversity diminished with respect to the blank favoring only the development of septate brown hyphae of Ascomycota. We found no significant differences between the fungal growth enhancement provoked by L. kovacsi and C. semifoveolatus. Entanglement of fragments and propagules of fungi among the branched setae of C. semifoveolatus could account for the enhancement of fungal growth. Repeated contact of faster L. kovacsi specimens with mycelia and adherence of mycelial fragments and fungi propagules on mite bodies could account for the effect. Mite size was also related to the fungal growth enhancement as smaller mites were more efficient in fungal growth enhancement. Our results showed that fungal growth is more intensive in the presence of mites than in their absence and that oribatid mites have a role in shaping the communities of fungi in soil.

This study tests the novel use of predatory mites for dissemination of a fungal pathogen for insect biocontrol in the laboratory. We first evaluated the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana at several spore suspension concentrations against the nymphs of both the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) and two predatory mite species (Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus cucumeris). The B. bassiana spores at suspension concentrations greater than 10⁴ spores · ml^-1 were highly effective against D. citri nymphs, resulting in a mortality approaching 100% after 7 days, but caused only low mortality rates of A. swirskii and N. cucumeris nymphs (15 and 10%, respectively) after 7 days. We then observed whether these two predatory mites, when dusted with B. bassianaspores, could disseminate the pathogen to D. citri residing on small twigs of potted Murraya paniculata(Rutaceae) plants under high humidity conditions. Several days after the release of “dusted” A. swirskii and N. cucumeris females, most D. citri had been killed by B. bassiana. As these phytoseiid predators exhibit a relatively high tolerance to this pathogen and are attracted to D. citri, we believe that this method might represent a new technique for using the Beauveria to control this pest insect. This method should be further explored for dissemination of entomophagous fungi to various insect pests in greenhouse and field conditions.

Uracrobates (Parauracrobates) truncatus sp. nov. is proposed, based on specimens from soil in Nepal. Parauracrobates subgen. nov. is distinguishable from subgenus Uracrobates by the notogaster truncated posteriorly (versus conical). An identification key to known taxa in the genus Uracrobates is given.

The genera Abrolophus Berlese and Nagoricanella Haitlinger are reported for the first time from Saudi Arabia with A. rudaensis (Haitlinger) and N. salehi sp. nov. The new species is described and illustrated from larvae. The species Marantelophus emanueli (Haitlinger) comb. nov. is transferred from the genus GrandjeanellaSouthcott to Marantelophus Haitlinger on the base of position of sensillae ASE. Also a key to world species of the genus Nagoricanella is provided.

Five new species of the genus Tetra Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae: Phyllocoptinae) from China are described and illustrated. They are Tetra qingyuanensis sp. nov. on Lespedeza sp. (Fabaceae), Tetra phragmitesus sp. nov. on Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. (Poaceae), Tetra prunusis sp. nov. on Prunus sp. (Rosaceae), Tetra sojae sp. nov. on Glycine soja Sieb. et Zucc. (Leguminosae) and Tetra vitexus sp. nov. on Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia (Sieb. et Zucc.) Hand.-Mazz. (Verbenaceae). All the new species described in this paper are vagrants on the lower surface of host plant leaves.

Xue and Zhang (2008) described Disella rebeeveri from leaves of Kunzea ericoides collected in the Waitakere Range, Auckland, New Zealand. There have been no further reports on this species. Our recent study of newly collected specimens from Coprosma as well as old material preserved in the New Zealand Arthropod Collection (NZAC), Auckland reveal new distribution and host records for this species, which are reported here.

Since the publication of “An annotated checklist of the ticks of Germany” in 2012, the list now includes two additional ixodid species. Ixodes acuminatus is endemic in several countries bordering Germany. Sufficient specimens have now been found in southwestern Germany to show that this species is also native there. The other species, Ixodes inopinatus, has its main area of distribution in the western Mediterranean, and it is not yet clear whether the two females and one male found in Rhineland-Palatinate were accidental introductions or are part of a viable population.