Two new species of eriophyoid mites inhabiting amaranthaceous plants in Egypt are described and illustrated. Aceria mosalahi sp. nov. heavily induces galls on leaves and stems of Chenopodiastrum murale (L.) S. Fuentes, Uotila & Borsch, while Aceria nudata sp. nov. induces red galls on the stems and leaves of Traganum nudatum Delile. Twenty-two Aceria species are known to inhabit plants of the Amaranthaceae family, and those inducing galls are listed here along with their diagnostic characteristic.

Functional and numerical responses of the predatory mite, Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to four different biological stages (egg, larva, protonymph and adult male) of the citrus brown mite, Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein) (Acari: Tetranychidae) were determined under laboratory conditions. In the experiments, six different prey densities (5, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80) for each biological stage of the prey were provided to the predatory mite for 24 hours. Results showed that the proportion of prey consumption of I. degenerans decelerated with increasing prey densities of all biological stages of the prey. Logistic regression analysis indicated that I. degenerans showed a Type II functional response regardless of prey stage. The attack rate (α) and the handling time (Th) varied based on the biological stages. The highest α (1.596) and the lowest Th (0.014) values were determined when the predator fed on adult males and larvae of E. orientalis, respectively. The numerical response curves were similar to those of Type II functional response. The efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) of female I. degenerans decreased on all biological stages when prey density increased. The highest and the lowest average daily mean number of eggs laid by I. degenerans were found as 0.45 and 1.90 when it fed on eggs and larvae of its prey, respectively. According to the results, I. degenerans has a potential to be used as a predator in biological control of E. orientalis.

Feeding experiences of predators during immature and adult stages may impact females' reproduction. In the present study, we investigated reproductive performances of Neoseiulus californicus when both parents had different feeding experiences on Tetranychus urticae and Frankliniella occidentalis. Female and male immatures fed on either prey species. Each newly emerged female adult individually mated with a male had either the same or different feeding experience. Prey for mated females were either same as or different from that consumed during their immature stages. Therefore, eight reproductive treatments were created. The highest cumulative fecundity (57.5±3.3 eggs/female) was observed when both female and male fed on T. urticae with the lowest fecundity (34.2±2.7 eggs/female) observed when the parents fed on F. occidentalis. Daily fecundity and oviposition duration were mainly affected by prey of mated females. Mated females preyed on T. urticae had 56.6% higher daily fecundity and 22.3% shorter oviposition duration than those preyed on F. occidentalis. No significant difference in offspring sex ratio and egg hatch rate was detected between treatments. About 88% of the first-laid eggs developed to males. Impact of prey species consumed by male immatures was only observed on pre-oviposition duration. The average pre-oviposition duration of females who mated with males fed on T. urticae in their immaturity was 33.0% shorter than those females who mated with males fed on F. occidentalis in their immaturity. Results of the present study are valuable in optimizing N. californicus field release strategies, and will help further investigations into the nutritional requirements of this species.

Mites of the family Athyreacaridae are recorded from Africa for the first time. Four new species of Athyreacarus are described, A. africanus sp. nov., collected on the beetle Mimobolbus congolensis in Republic of the Congo, A. longisetus sp. nov., collected on a beetle Minobolbus sp. in Zaire and Bolbocaffer caffrum in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo, A. reductus sp. nov. on a beetle Bolbocaffer caffrum in Democratic Republic of the Congo, and A. pseudoindicus sp. nov. on a beetle Mimobolbus sp. in Kenya and Ethiopia. An updated key to species of the genus Athyreacarus is provided.

Citrus brown mite, Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein), known as major pest of citrus crops in different countries, was considered as a quarantine pest in Morocco. This pest is currently among the most potential enemies of Moroccan arboriculturists following the increasing ineffectiveness of the majority of acaricides used in conventional orchards. The present study was designed to collect and morphologically identify specimens from 31 orchards in the five main production regions of Morocco; to study the population dynamics of this pest in Taroudant as well as the molecular identification of a Phytoseiid considered as a potential predator using the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Morphological description confirmed that the collected adult females from all orchards in the five regions belong to E. orientalis. Thus, this exotic pest has invaded all citrus growing regions since its introduction. In the Souss region, two significant peaks of population outbreaks of this pest were observed. A first peak from November until the end of December 2017 and in winter, a second peak is recorded in early autumn 2018. Thereafter, mite infestations remained at lower levels throughout the summer. In addition, it appears that eggs represented between 50 to 88.7% of population in spring and winter seasons respectively, but percentage of adult females does not exceed 2.3% in autumn and winter seasons. Adult females of Neoseiulus californicus, larvae of Stethorus punctillum, were more abundant and very active on orange leaves and weeds during period of observation. Molecular analysis using 12S ribosomal RNA gene confirmed that the best query coverage 99.23% (E-value = 5e-176) with 99% of recovery identical to N. californicus. The phylogenetic tree obtained from comparison of the specimens' generated DNA sequences with other individuals from Neoseiulus genus revealed the relationship with species N. californicus. These results suggest that orchard management will favour the plant cover associated with citrus trees and thus ensure sustainability, diversity and high density of phytoseiides and other predatory insects. This auxiliary fauna, like N. californicus, S. punctillum, will be able to control spider mites, as well as other phytophagous insects and keep them below damaging levels in citrus orchards in the Souss region.

The present study is based on ptyctimous oribatid mite material collected in Taiwan in 2018 and 2019. Four new species—Oribotritia chiayiensis Niedbała sp. nov. (Oribotritiidae), Phthiracarus liaoi Niedbała sp. nov. (Phthiracaridae), Plonaphacarus paraprotrusus Niedbała sp. nov. (Steganacaridae), and Notophthiracarus diamphidios Niedbała sp. nov. (Steganacaridae)—are described. Supplementary description of Acrotritia hauseri (Euphthiracaridae) is provided. A list of other identified ptyctimous mite taxa, including 10 species from six genera and five families, is presented. Four species (A. hauseri, A. mahunkai, Phthiracarus gibber, and P. parmatus) are recorded for the first time in Taiwan.

Two new species of the feather mite genus Trochilodectes Park & Atyeo (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) are described from hummingbirds (Apodiformes: Trochilidae) in Colombia: T. capitocaudatus sp. nov. from Ocreatus underwoodii (Lesson, 1832) and T. andinus sp. nov. from Phaethornis guy (Lesson, 1833). A key to all presently known species of the genus Trochilodectes is presented.

Two new species, namely Cunaxa jacobdenheyeri Wurlitzer & Silva sp. nov. and Cunaxa butantorum Wurlitzer & Rocha sp. nov. are illustrated and described. Cunaxa jacobdenheyeri sp. nov. resembles Cunaxa heterostriata , C. jatoiensis , C. polita Kazmierski & , in , C. subita Ripka & Laniecka, in and C. minuta Laniecka & Kazmierski, in . It differs from previous species by possessing the hysterosoma with a shield bearing c₂, c₁–e₁, by the telofemoral apophysis straight, and by chaetotaxy of the genua II with and pseudanal setae ps₂ absent. Cunaxa butantorum sp. nov. resembles C. setirostris (), in , C. potchensis and C. neogazella . It differs by previous species by having the propodosomal shield partially covered by broken striae, by chaetotaxy of the genu I, II and by apophysis on palp telofemur long.

Two new species belonging to the family Steganacaridae are described from Oriental part of China: Plonaphacarus luxiensis sp. nov. differs from Plonaphacarus concavus by the long and stout interlamellar and lamellar setae, lateral prodorsal carinae absent, exobothridial setae vestigial, anterodorsal part of notogaster not concave dorsally, notogastral setae c₁ and anal setae short and spiniform, setae c₁ positioned close to anterior border of notogaster and setae d on femora I distanced to distal end of segment; Plonaphacarus hailingensis sp. nov. differs from congeneric species by the presence of heterotrichy of notogastral setae, in which setae c₁, c₂ and c₃ long and flagellate distally, prodorsum with median crista and posterior furrows, sensilli long and setiform, and rostral setae short, spiniform and semi-erect. A key to all known species of Plonaphacarus from China are provided to facilitate identification of this group.

The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), and the citrus red mite, P. citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae), are destructive mite pests in pome/stone fruit orchards and citrus groves, respectively, the management of these two spider mites species has relied largely on the use of synthetic acaricides. However, frequent, long-term use of acaricides has caused rapid development of resistance in P. ulmi and P. citri populations worldwide. Levels of resistance in P. ulmi and P. citri are exceeded only by that in the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. Recent research on T. urticae has provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms of acaricide resistance. The molecular basis of resistance in P. ulmi and P. citri populations has been less thoroughly studied. In this brief review, the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms of toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic resistance of P. ulmi and P. citri to acaricides, as well as implications of the findings for the resistance management, are discussed.

Eriophyoid mites from plum trees (Prunus domestica L.) in Hamadan Province, northwestern Iran, were collected during a survey in 2018–2020. Altogether 12 species, belonging to eight genera and two families, are reported herein. Five species are new to science and five species are new records for Hamadan province of Iran. The collected mites according to their families, genera and species are as follows: family Diptilomiopidae: Quadracus reticulatus sp. nov., Rhinophytoptus nemalobos , Diptacus hamedanicus , Diptacus gigantorhynchus (); family Eriophyidae: Acalitus iranicus sp. nov. causes small irregular galls around of buds, Aculus flechtmanni sp. nov., Aculus fockeui (), Eriophyes prunorum sp. nov. causes blisters on leaf surface, Eriophyes savagei causes leaf nail galls, Phyllocoptes hamedi sp. nov., Phyllocoptes abaenus , and Tetra pruni .

The objective of this study is to evaluate the toxicity, repellency, and the ovicidal, residual, and sublethal effects of different neem-based commercial formulations on the red mite Tetranychus neocaledonicus André (1933) reared in the laboratory on lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.). To evaluate the toxicity on adult females of T. neocaledonicus, different concentrations of Natural Neem^® (NN), Off-Neem^® (ON), Nim-I-GO^® (NG), and Azamax^® (AZ) were defined from preliminary tests. The mortality and toxicity ratio were evaluated 48 h after application of the lethal concentrations (LC_50s and LC_95s). The repellent effect was verified through a two-choice test. The concentration used was the LC₅₀ of the products calculated in the toxicity test. The number of mites attracted, the repellency index (RI), and the percentage of repellency of each product were calculated. The ovicidal effect after application of the LC_50s and LC_95s of each product and egg viability were observed. To evaluate the residual efficiency, the plants were sprayed with LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ of the products and the leaves were subsequently harvested at 24, 48, and 96h after the application of the products to evaluate mortality and oviposition reduction (PR - percentage of reduction). The sublethal effects were evaluated by applying the LC₃₀ of the products (AZ, NG) to newly emerged females, whose survival and oviposition were evaluated daily. The determined LC_50s were 0.39; 0.48; 0.68; and 1.39% for AZ, ON, NN, and NG, respectively. Considering the LC₅₀, AZ was the most toxic product followed by ON, whereas the established LC_95s were 2.20; 3.74; 6.10; and 7.98% for NN, ON, AZ, and NG, respectively. All tested products were classified as repellents for adult females of T. neocaledonicus. The eggs of T. neocaledonicus treated with the LC_95s of the products had their viabilities inhibited. However, when using the LC_50s, NN provided the lowest viability (8.0%), being considered the most toxic for eggs. The products presented reduced residual effect probably due to their rapid degradation. The mites treated with sublethal concentrations showed an average survival in days of 25.43, 28.35, and 29.20 for the treatments with Azamax^®, control (untreated), and Nim-I-GO^®, respectively. Relatively high oviposition rates in the first weeks decreased until the end of their life cycle. The life history of T. neocaledonicus is affected by sublethal concentrations of neem-based products. It was concluded that the tested products demonstrated acaricidal potential in the control of T. neocaledonicus on P. lunatus, presenting toxicity and repellent and ovicidal effect, although residual and sublethal effects were less significant.

Genus Belba von Heyden, 1826 sensu lato is revisited on the basis of its suspected polyphyly. New, narrowed and monophyletic definition of Belba is given and Piribelba gen. nov., Eubelba gen. nov. and Arboribelba gen. nov. are proposed as new genera within this group, for well defined groupings of species with shared apomorphies. Additional information on recently defined genus Tokukobelba is provided. Most of known species of Belba sensu lato are attributed to the new genera, few remaining species are not sufficiently known to be undoubtely combined with proposed genera. Differential characters of all genera within the group including the newly proposed genera is given in the form of detailed determination key. Species Belba patelloides () is redecribed on the basis of topotypical material. On the basis of types and additional topotypical material, Belba bartosi is redescribed and confirmed as separate taxon; previous synonymy of bartosi and patelloides is rejected. Additional information on B. corynopus (), type species of the genus, is given and other species belonging to newly defined genus Belba are discussed. Determination key for all species of Belba is provided. Individuals of Tokukobelba compta () from different parts of Europe were compared with topotypical specimens from Tatra Mountains, and additional information about species morphology and its variability is provided. Proposed synonymy of T. compta and Tokukobelba verrucosa () is analysed and discussed.