The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an important pest species on deciduous plants in Turkey, especially on apple. In this study, development, survival, and reproduction of European red mite, P. ulmi were studied on different host plants under laboratory conditions (25±2 °C,% 60±10 RH and16:8 L:D photoperiod). Population performance of P. ulmi was obtained on its different host plants including apple (Malus communis L.), quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.), cherry (Prunus avium L.), and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L). The life history raw data of P. ulmi were analyzed by using the age-stage, two-sex life table. Results indicated that the highest net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase as well as the longest mean generation time, were obtained on apple cv. Starking delicious. The population projection simulated by using life tables based on the 0.025th and 0.975th bootstrap results of the finite rate of increase displayed the same trend with population growth parameters. Results suggested that apple cv. Starking Delicious was the favorable host for P. ulmi, however, there is potential for the pest to become a serious pest on other host plants tested under favorable conditions.

The middle-derivative, brachypyline oribatid mite family Cepheidae is rather heterogeneous, but many species, even some genera in this family have been poorly diagnosed. Redefinition of hitherto known taxa is, essential for resolving species identity as well as supraspecific systematics. One of such inadequately described species is Cepheus pustulatus (Pearce, 1910), known from Hawaii, which we redescribe here, and a new genus Roycepheus is proposed, based on this species. Relationships of the genus Roycepheus are addressed using the principles of phylogenetic systematics. A table presents the key differences between genera of Cepheidae, and a diagnostic key to adults of these genera, is provided. We discuss the potential synonymies of Sphodrocepheus with Tritegeus, and Reticulocepheus as well as Oribatodes with Cepheus. However, to confirm these synonymies needs redefinition of these genera and examination of types species.

Species of the mite genus Protzia Piersig, 1896 are diverse and sometimes highly abundant freshwater mites. Here, we provide COI barcodes for five species (Protzia rugosa, P. rotunda, P. halberti, P. cabardinica, P. longiacetabulata) and use them for species delimitation analyses accompanied with morphological comparisons. As a result, we resurrected the species P. cabardinica (Sokolow, 1940). Based on morphology only, we describe three new species, P. kyrgyzicasp. nov. and P. tienshanensissp. nov., from Kyrgyzstan and P. iranicasp. nov. from southern Iran. Furthermore, we describe the male of P. longiacetabulata from Turkey, which was not known previously.

Neocarus jonasin.sp. is described from three limestone caves of the Bambuí Group geomophological formation, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, with a combination of a higher number of palp genu and tibia r setae and palp tarsus sm and d setae. Its relationship to Neocarus spelaion and the importance of setae variation in Opilioacaridae is discussed. A key to the genus Neocarus is also provided.

In this study, the effect of full (IR100), 50% (IR50), 75% (IR75) and 125% (IR125) irrigation levels on population development of the carmine spider mite (CSM) as well as on yield and some pomological properties of ‘Fortuna’ strawberry cultivar grown in high tunnels were evaluated in two consecutive growing seasons (2016–2017 and 2017–2018). The numbers of CSM were significantly lower on strawberry leaves which were irrigated by IR50 and IR75 in both growing seasons. Full (IR100) and highest (IR125) irrigation levels were the most favorable for the development of CSM populations. On the other hand, in the CSM thriving period (2017), the fruit weight was generally high in the plots with the highest irrigation (IR125) level. Although there was no interaction with the CSM population, fruit acidity (%) increased in the IR100 and IR125 irrigation levels, possibly due to stress in plants, when CSM population was highest (in March). In the absence of CSM, fruit acidity was significantly high in the plots where water stress was experienced. While no significant interaction was found between the pomological characters and the CSM population, the mites affected the yield significantly in that plants were more productive under IR 75 even when there was a CSM population. This study suggests that the application of IR75 level in Fortuna strawberry is related to lower CSM population growth and significantly higher yields.

A new species of Cunaxidae, namely Pulaeus mormacensis Wurlitzer & Silva sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on females and males collected in soil and leaf litter in the Atlantic rainforest biome in a rural forest fragment in Mormaço and Putinga municipalities, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. In addition, we report for the first time and illustrate Coleoscirus tuberculatus Den Heyer from Brazil.

Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the main tomato pests in several countries, mainly in Africa, and applications of synthetic acaricides are the main strategy for its control. Efficient biopesticides to suppress pest populations, with low toxicity against natural enemies, is highly desirable for integrated pest management. Here, we evaluated under laboratory conditions the effect of azadirachtin- and oxymatrine-based formulations on each development stage of T. evansi and on the adult stage of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus longipes, the single promising predator of this pest. We also assessed the residual effect of these biopesticides on T. evansi under laboratory conditions on leaflets excised from treated tomato plants maintained in a screen-house 1, 5, and 10 days after application. Azadirachtin-based formulations were effective in controlling T. evansi immature stages. Oxymatrine-based treatments controlled T. evansi immatures and adult females faster than azadirachtin-based treatments. Both biopesticides had no effect on T. evansi eggs, but oxymatrine-based treatments were highly efficient on newly hatched T. evansi larvae. Oxymatrine displayed residual activity that controlled T. evansi up to 10 days after application. Azadirachtin formulations caused lower mortality of P. longipes adults (8–28%) and slightly reduced fecundity (24.8–56.1%). In contrast, oxymatrine treatments caused higher mortality (60–88%) of the predator and reduced substantiality its fecundity (73.1–90.7%). Our findings suggest that Azadirachtin and oxymatrine provide effective control of T. evansi. Azadirachtin may be relatively safer to the predatory mites whereas oxymatrine should be used with caution, to avoid suppression of P. longipes.

Females of most arthropods undergo multiple matings, most often with different males (polyandry) but sometimes with the same male (repeated matings). Arthropod seminal fluid contains components that are known to stimulate their fecundity and fertility. In spider mites, much is known about the paternal effects on offspring phenotypes, but nothing is known about how the age of males affects their fertility. In Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), the female offspring ratio is known to decrease with time. Here, we attempted to clarify whether the decrease is due to sperm deletion or a decrease in male fertility ability with age. Female age had significantly increase the fecundity. Older virgin females that mated with virgin males produced fewer female offspring. Female age at mating was negatively related to the mating time (= copulation time, sec) but not to the premating time (sec) after introduction of a virgin male. The mating time tended to decrease with increasing age at mating. Male fertility defined as the proportion of female offspring produced, and male fertility declines with male age and number of matings, even no female offspring produced in some cases. These results suggest that increased male age at mating is associated with sperm depletion, which in turn affects the number of progeny as well as the phenotype of the progeny in the subsequent generation.

Bradysia species are major insect pests of protected production systems, including strawberry crops in semi-hydroponic systems. In Brazil, its management is difficult due to the absence of available effective pesticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predatory efficiency of two species of mites (Stratiolaelaps scimitus and Cosmolaelaps brevistilis) under laboratory conditions. The experiments were conducted at 25 ± 1°C, 75 ± 10% RH, in dark. In the first bioassay predation potential of each mite species, one female per arena, was evaluated on eggs, larvae (2–3 instar) and pupae of B. aff. ocellaris, replicated thirty times, and predation, oviposition, and survivorship were recorded for ten days. In the second bioassay, fly emergence was used to determine control efficacy. Each predator species was assessed at different densities (2, 5, 7 and 10) with ten larvae of B. aff. ocellaris in each experimental unit, replicated eight times. Stratiolaelaps scimitus performed better than C. brevistilis in both bioassays, however, on the eggs and pupae life stages, both species were not effective. On the larvae life stage, mean daily predation rate was 8.25 and 4.45 for S. scimitus and C. brevistilis, respectively. For each predator species no significant differences in fly emergence were found at the four densities, however at all densities S. scimitus provided better control than C. brevistilis. Further studies on potted plants are needed to determine the potential of these species for B. aff. ocellaris management.

Knowledge of the fauna of soil mites in Brazilian soils is still scarce and limited to a few regions, referring almost exclusively to areas of natural vegetation. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the abundance and diversity of edaphic Gamasina mites (Mesostigmata) on ecosystems of natural vegetation and cultivations of prickly pear, cassava and pasture located in the Caatinga biome in the state of Alagoas, northeast Brazil. Collections were carried out every three months between December 2018 and August 2019. In each collection date and in each ecosystem, 16 soil samples were collected. During the study, a total of 2,979 Gamasina were collected. Representatives of 10 families were identified, one of which, new to science. The largest number of Gamasina collected belonged to Ascidae (60%), followed by Laelapidae (14.3%) and Rhodacaridae (10%). Forty-four morphospecies were found, of which 25 new to science, distributed in 22 genera, two new to science. Protogamasellus mica Athias-Henriot, Protogamasellus sigillophorus Mineiro, Lindquist & Moraes and a new species of Protogamasellus (Ascidae) were the most abundant species. Mean abundance and richness were highest in the natural vegetation (respectively 38.2 mites and 12.6 species per sample), followed by prickly pear (29.6 and 8.6), pasture (20.8 and 8.6) and cassava (10.9 and 5.7). The Shannon-Weaver's index diversity was highest for pasture (2.6) and lowest for the natural vegetation (2.2). The equitability indexes were quite similar in the different ecosystems though slightly lower in the natural vegetation (0.7 in the natural vegetation and 0.8 in other ecosystems). A cluster analysis indicated that the area of natural vegetation was the most distant from the others. Several of the species collected belong to Laelapidae and Macrochelidae, families with species used in the applied biological pest control. Thus, it is hoped that this work will serve as a basis for future applied research, aimed at prospecting Gamasina potentially useful for use in biological control programs.

Proctolaelaps bickleyi (Bram) (Acari: Melicharidae) is an edaphic predatory mite commonly associates with insects. Although P. bickleyi has been reported from many countries worldwide, it is reported herein for the first time in Japan from laboratory cultures of Chilo suppressalis (Walker) and Cossus insularis (Staudinger) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae, Cossidae). Proctolaelaps bickleyi is redescribed and illustrated from females, males, deutonymphs, protonymphs and larvae. The morphological ontogeny of idiosomal and leg chaetotaxy is discussed and a key to the Japanese species of Proctolaelaps is provided.

The study is based on ptyctimous mites collected from Golden Gate Highlands National Park and Hogsback State Forest in South Africa. Eight new species from the genera Microtritia, Phthiracarus and Notophthiracarus are described; a list of other identified taxa, including five species from three genera and three families, is presented. Information on the distribution of Indotritia, Acrotritia, Microtritia, and Phthiracarus is presented.

The present study was performed with an objective to determine acaricidal activity of Citrus limetta seed oil (CLO) against cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. The mode of action of CLO was determined by evaluating biochemical enzymatic levels in treated ticks. CLO was obtained by extracting with n-hexane as solvent in soxhlet apparatus. The active compounds in CLO were analyzed through Gas chromatography. Acaricidal activity of CLO was evaluated using larval packet test (LPT) and adult immersion test (AIT). Results of chromatographic analysis showed that palmitic acid, stearic acid, α-Tocopherol and bergamol were present as major active constituents along with other compounds. The lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of CLO was found to be 2.87% and 3.96% for larvae and adult of R. microplus ticks, respectively. In vitro acaricidal bioassay revealed 100% mortality of ticks in both LPT and AIT at 12.5% dose. CLO significantly (p < 0.001) reduced oviposition rate, hatching ability of eggs and reproduction efficiency of ticks. Biochemical analysis of ticks homogenate showed different enzymatic levels. The results revealed that CLO disturbed protective enzymes functions by reducing level of SOD, GST, MAO and AChE but increasing NOS level in ticks as compared with control group. Thus, CLO may be used as an effective acaricidal agent in controlling R. microplus ticks.

Two new species of the superfamily Plateremaeoidea (Acari, Oribatida) belonging to the genera Pheroliodes (Licnodamaeidae) and Plateremaeus (Plateremaeidae) are described from Bolivia. Both families as well as one known species (Plateremaeus ornatissimus) are recorded in the Bolivian fauna for the first time. Adult of Ph. bolivianussp. nov. is similar to Ph. barringtonensis in main traits (e.g., notogaster with small, widely spaced foveolae; some notogastral setae phylliform; bothridial seta comparatively long, clavate), but differs from the latter by the smaller body length, the presence of broadly phylliform setae lp, h₁ and p₁ and setiform setae p₂ and p₃, and by a large number of transverse ridges and furrows in dorsomedial part on the prodorsum. Adult of Pl. yurtaevisp. nov. differs from all other species of the genus by the presence of clavate bothridial seta and distantly inserted adanal seta ad₃ from anal aperture. The tritonymphal instar of Ph. bolivianussp. nov. is compared to those of the other species.

Coniferous trees and shrubs growing in natural stands are important reservoirs of naturally-occurring predators belonging to the family Phytoseiidae (Mesostigmata: Phytoseioidea). The fauna of these mites on eight native coniferous species in Poland was surveyed and an exploratory statistical investigation was carried out into mite-conifer associations. The conifers were growing in forests, national parks and nature reserves throughout Poland. A total of 2,540 specimens of phytoseiids belonging to nine species was identified. Four species were new for the Polish fauna, i.e., Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) inopinatus (Wainstein), T. (A.) caucasicus (Abbasova), T. (A.) singularis Chant and Neoseiulus gracilentus (Hirschmann). Among the studied coniferous taxa, Picea abies (L.) H. Karst supported the greatest numbers of both species and individual mites. The highest biodiversity indexes for the phytoseiids were obtained for Taxus baccata L. and Juniperus communis L. Among the phytoseiid species found, T. (T.) tiliae Oudemans occurred on all eight host species surveyed. Typhlodromus (A.) bakeri (Garman) and T. (T.) tiliae were the most dominant species and occurred on conifers with high constancy. Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) co-dominated with them on J. communis and P. abies. New to the knowledge of Phytoseiidae-host plant records were T. (A.) singularis on P. abies, T. (T.) tiliae on Pinus mugo Turra, Pi. cembra L., J. communis and T. baccata, N. gracilentus on J. communis and Pi. mugo, and T. (A.) inopinatus on Abies alba Mill., Larix decidua Mill. and P. abies. Additionally, for Poland, new Phytoseiidae-host plant associations were T. (A.) inopinatus on Pinus sylvestris L., T. (A.) bakeri on J. communis and T. baccata, T. (A.) caucasicus on A. alba, T. baccata and P. abies, and T. (A.) singularis on L. decidua.