During the study of mites, inhabiting soil and litter in Zanzibar, Tanzania, five species of microdispid mites were found. Two of them, namely Cochlodispus zanzibariensis sp. nov. and Caesarodispus africanus sp. nov., are described as new for science. The genera Cochlodispus Mahunka, 1972 and Rostrodispus Mahunka, 1969 stat. nov. are redefined. Rostrodispus brevisetus (Mahunka, 1975a) comb. nov. and Scutadispus variosetosus (Mahunka, 1075a) comb. nov. are redescribed. Pseudomicrodispus setosus (Evans, 1952) is recorded from the Afrotropical region for the first time. Cochlodispus operosus Rack and Kaliszewski, 1985 is moved from the family Microdispidae to the genus Bakerdania of the family Neopygmephoridae.

The mechanisms involved in the acceptance and choice of prey by predatory mites are still poorly understood. The present study was designed to determine whether previous feeding experience of Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) eggs could influence the predator's functional response and related parameters. The consumption of R. indica eggs by experienced and naïve female A. largoensis was evaluated under increasing densities of eggs. Regardless of the predators' previous experience, a gradual increase in the number of eggs consumed and a tendency to stabilize at higher densities were observed. Proportionally, egg consumption decreased with increasing egg densities, indicating a type II functional response for both experienced and naïve predators. Experienced and naïve predators also had the same attack rate. However, naïve predators had a handling time almost 50% longer than experienced predators and showed lower variation in egg consumption and lower peak egg consumption. The results of the present study demonstrate that previous feeding experience may alter parameters of the functional response of A. largoensis to R. indica eggs but not the type of response. Possibly, longer associations between native populations of A. largoensis and R. indica results in more aggressive predator populations.

Varroa destructor is a major ectoparasitic mite which feeds on the western honey bee, Apis mellifera hemolymph. Morphometric analysis of V. destructor in Iran was performed in order to detect differences within some populations of the species. Totally, 145 female mites were collected from A. mellifera colonies in different geographical regions in Iran and Europe (Spain and France). Eight morphological variables were measured: 1) length of dorsal shield (LDS), 2) width of dorsal shield (WDS), 3) length of genital shield (LGS), 4) width of genital shield (WGS), 5) length of metapodal shield (LMS), 6) width of metapodal shield (WMS), 7) length of anal shield (LAS) and 8) width of the anal shield (WAS). The ratios of LDS/WDS, WDS/LDS, LGS/WGS and LAS/WAS were also calculated. Multivariate analyses demonstrated significant differences in means of body length (LDS) and body width (WDS) between populations. Using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis with pair group method, five morphological groups were established. PCA analyses were also shown one morphotype, A3, between samples. Collectively, our findings suggest a wide phenotypic plasticity within the populations of Varroa mite in Iran.

Some oribatid mites are intermediate hosts of anoplocephalid cestodes, where the cestodes complete their larval development in the bodies of these oribatid mites. In order to investigate the potential of oribatid mites as vectors of anoplocephalid cestodes, 64 species of these mites were collected from different pastures of Shiraz County (Fars Province, Iran) during 2010–12. Two predominant species, Pergalumna persica and Acrogalumna lanceolata, were selected for study of both laboratory and natural infections. For artificial infection, these two species were exposed separately to eggs of Moniezia expansa and Moniezia benedeni, which are the common anoplocephalid cestodes of sheep and cattle in the Shiraz region. In order to develop a PCR-based technique for identification and detection of these cestodes, species-specific primers were designed to amplify the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. We demonstrate that the mite P. persica can be infested by M. expansa and M. benedeni in the laboratory and it can be naturally infected by the former species; however cestodes were not detected in the mite A. lanceolata. This is the first record of P. persica as the intermediate host of anoplocephalid tapeworms.

A new species of the previously monotypic genus Chapalania Hoffmann & Lopez-Campos is described based on female specimens collected from the body of an unidentified passalid beetle from Panguana, Peru. The genus is redefined in consideration of this new species.

Knowledge of the effects of pesticides on biological control agents is mandatory for the successful implementation of IPM programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of spirotetramat on the life table parameters of Neoseiulus californicus, under laboratory conditions [25 ± 2°C, 70 ± 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h]. The experiments were carried out based on the leaf-dip technique. The experimental concentrations including 10000, 20000 and 30000 ppm of the spirotetramat were used in this study. The raw data was analyzed based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The longevity, total life span, oviposition period, and total fecundity significantly decreased after exposure to concentrations of 20000 and 30000 ppm. The oviposition period was scored 26 days in the control cohort, which reduced to 22.87 days in the 30000 ppm. The total fecundity ranged between 29.45 and 39.46 (offspring/individual). Among the examined concentrations, the lowest values of the gross and net reproductive rates were 21.96 and 17.69 (offspring/individual), observed for the cohort treated with 30000 ppm concentration. Our findings showed the r and λ of N. californicus were not influenced by the different concentrations. The mean generation time (T) for control was the highest; the values for T varied from 18.35 days at control to 16.36 days at 30000 ppm. Therefore, it was concluded that spirotetramat can be introduced as a compatible pesticide alongside the predatory mite, N. californicus, which is an excellent tool that can be incorporated into the integrated pest management of T. urticae.

Amblyomma longirostre (Koch, 1844) has been reported as one of the most common ticks parasitizing wild animals in Brazil; however, information about its life cycle is inexistent, as well as information on its behavior in nature. In order to determine some aspects of the life cycle of A. longirostre in the laboratory, we performed infestations of larvae and nymphs on Serinus canaria (Common Canary - Passeriformes), Calomys callosus (Vesper mouse), Sphiggurus villosus (Brazilian porcupine), and Gallus gallus (chicks - no Passeriformes); this later host species only for larvae. While the overall recovery rates of engorged larvae and nymphs were low (at most 11.1%), the highest rates were for ticks that had fed on S. canaria (Passerifomes). This result is supported by field data, which indicate Passeriformes as preferable hosts for larvae and nymphs of A. longirostre. Interestingly, the suitability of the porcupine S. villosus as host for larvae and nymphs was statistically similar to S. canaria, although the recovery rates on the later host species were slightly higher. The Cricetidae mouse C. callosus displayed the lowest recovery rates (0–0.5%) of engorged ticks, indicating that mice might not be suitable hosts for A. longirostre under natural conditions. We also report three adult females of A. longirostre that were collected from two Bristle-spined porcupine Chaetomys subspinosus. Curiously, each of the three ticks was attached to the median third of a spine of the porcupines. The hypostome was surrounded by a cement-like structure at the spine external surface, but did not break through the external surface of the spine. Biological explanations for this behavior are discussed.

Three water mite species of the genus Torrenticola Piersig, 1896 are reported from Foding Mountain National Nature Reserve, Guizhou Province, China. Torrenticola fodingensis Gu & Guo, n. sp. and T. tenuichelicera Gu & Guo, n. sp. are described and illustrated as new to science, and T. nipponica (Enami, 1940) is recorded in China for the first time, with the first description and illustration of its deutonymph. In addition, a key to the species of Torrenticola in China is presented in this paper. The type specimens of the new species are deposited in Institute of Entomology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, P. R. China (GUGC).

The genus Leioseius Berlese is reviewed, faunistically in North America, and taxonomically, world-wide. Descriptions of two new species, redescriptions of two previously recorded species, and first records of Leioseius elongatus Evans in North America are presented. Observations indicate that various leg setal and pretarsal attributes are useful in taxonomic discrimination of species in this genus. A key to North American species based on both idiosomatic and leg setal aspects is presented. Four species previously described under the genus Iphidozercon Berlese are accounted for the first time as species of Leioseius, and other taxa described previously as four yet other species of Leioseius are transferred to other genera. A tentative key, provided for separation of females of the 22 recognizable world Leioseius species, accounts for these changes. General morphological notes about mites of this genus are presented, some of which may lead to recognition of species-groups. Scant, general biological aspects about Leioseius mites are presented.

One new genus and two new species of eriophyoid mites of the subfamily Phyllocoptinae Nalepa from Luang Namtha Province, Northwest Laos are described and illustrated. They are: Namengia latifloris gen. nov. & sp. nov. (Phyllocoptinae, Acaricalini) infesting Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro (Poaceae), Petanovicia cathartica sp. nov. (Phyllocoptinae, Phyllocoptini) infesting Allamanda cathartica L. (Apocynaceae). These new species are vagrant on the leaves of their host plant respectively causing no visible damage.

Despite economic importance of Tetranychidae, knowledge regarding diversity of spider mites in the Balkan Peninsula and Southeast Europe is incomplete, especially in protected natural areas. This study presents diversity of spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) collected over five growing seasons at 296 locations in 38 protected natural areas of Serbia. A total of 31 spider mite species were found, 10 from Bryobiinae and 21 from Tetranychinae. The species Eotetranychus fagi Zacher was recorded as new to Serbia and this record was also the first one for Southeast Europe. Spider mites were found on host plants in five basic types as well as many subtypes of terrestrial habitats, with woodland as the most dominant one. A total of 151 plant species from 44 families were recorded as hosts for spider mites including new world records: 60 new hosts for family Tetranychidae and 41 new hosts for 21 spider mite species. Host plants from Rosaceae family harbored the highest number of spider mite species (16). A considerable number of species was found on host plants from the families Betulaceae (11), Asteraceae (10) and Sapindaceae (10). Two cosmopolitan spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch and Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov & Nikolskii, were clearly distinguished with 67 (7 new) and 43 (13 new) recorded host species, respectively; among newly recorded hosts for Tetranychidae family, these two mite species were found on 27 and 12 hosts, respectively. After the two most common species, the most striking was the presence of Bryobia praetiosa Koch with 24 (4 new) recorded host plants, followed by Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher), Eotetranychus carpini (Oudemans) and Bryobia rubrioculus(Scheuten), with 21 (7 new), 20 (6 new) and 16 (2 new) hosts, respectively. The remaining tetranychids were found on 1–9 host plant species. This study provided the first insight into diversity of tetranychids in Serbian protected areas. Further research in this field should focus on mites from host plants representative of specific areas and habitats, including endangered, endemic and relict species.

The ovicidal, adulticidal and fecundity effects of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) leaf extract, garlic (Allium sativum L.) bulb extract, soft soap and their binary mixtures were investigated against Tetranychus urticae Koch. (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) eggs and adult females under controlled conditions [25°C±1, 65±5% R.H. (mean±SD) and a photoperiod of 16L: 8D (Light: Dark)]. The concentrations used for the ovicidal and adulticidal effect were chosen after preliminary bioassays to obtained mortality rates equally distributed between 0%–100%. However, one concentration giving around 50 % percent adult mortality of each compound was tested for fecundity effect. Each stock solution was diluted separately with distilled water to give the desired different concentrations of each extract. The results showed that the tobacco leaf extract, the soft soap and the garlic extract soap mixture were the most toxic against adult females. Although the garlic bulb extract had the lowest toxic effect, its mixtures with the soft soap and tobacco extract showed higher toxicity against the adults. Moreover, the tobacco application at the tested dose significantly reduced the T. urticae fecundity. It is also determined that the tobacco leaf and garlic bulb extracts have potential to be used in the control of T. urticaeeggs. On the other hand, the ovicidal activity of soft soap can be increased by addition of the garlic extract. However, further investigation is needed to assess their phytotoxicity under greenhouse and field conditions. The efficacy of these compounds to natural enemies should also be measured.

A new species of the genus Raphignathus, R. kurdistaniensis sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on females collected from soil under oak trees in Baneh, Kurdistan province, Iran. A key to all known species of the genus Raphignathus is given.