Blattisocius mali (Oudemans), known as a predator of some species of storage pest mites, was reared on frozen eggs of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) alone (Tp) but also supplemented with cattail (Tp + cattail) and olive (Tp + olive) pollen. Life table parameters of B. mali were evaluated in the first (G1), eighth (G8) and sixteenth (G16) generation on the three different diets. Survival of the immatures of the predator was not affected by the tested diets, whereas it significantly differed among generations. The highest and lowest mortality was observed in the G8 and G1 generations, respectively, on all diets. Except for the total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) and the adult pre-oviposition period (APOP), all life table parameters of B. mali were affected by the different diets; In G1, supplementation of (Tp) with both pollens significantly increased the fecundity, oviposition period and female life span of B. mali. Population growth parameters of the predator like intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R₀) and finite rate of increase (λ) significantly increased with the supplementation of (Tp) with cattail pollen. However, in G8 and G16, B. mali reared on the two combinations significantly showed the lowest values of oviposition period, female and male life span and mean generation time (T) (only F8). Except for female and male developmental times and TPOP, other biological parameters of B. mali significantly differ across generations. Adding both pollens to the frozen eggs of the prey mite, significantly decreased fecundity, oviposition period, female and male life span and population parameters such as (r), (T), (λ) of B. mali in G16 compared with G1. With comparison of the effects of diet through the generations on biological and population parameters of B. mali, it is concluded that frozen eggs of T. putrescentiae is strongly advisable for mass-rearing of the predator and mixed frozen diets (containing pollen) is suggested as supplemental diet for establishment of the predator after release.

This paper further enriches the taxonomic study of Feltriidae Viets, 1926 in China since it was first reported by Yi & Jin in 2011. Seven species, Feltria hanmaensis sp. nov., Feltria pesici sp. nov., Feltria pseudoparva sp. nov., Feltria expendis sp. nov., Feltria yinjiangensis sp. nov., Feltria neoflatheadensis sp. nov. and Feltria glandulosa sp. nov., are described as new to science; Feltria minuta Koenike, 1892 is new to the Chinese water mite fauna. In addition, some slit organs of these species are photographed by SEM (scanning electron microscope) and illustrated in detail by optical microscope to provide material for exploiting valuable character in specific identification.

The present study is based on ptyctimous mite materials collected from soil and litter in three forest localities in Nepal. A list of identified taxa, including 18 species from 12 genera and five families is provided; of these, two species (Oribotritia duotrisetosa, Plonaphacarus ishikawai) are recorded for the first time in the fauna of Nepal; two new species of Steganacaridae—Plonaphacarus othneios Niedbała sp. nov. and Hoplophthiracarus jochenmartensi Niedbała sp. nov.—are described. Oribotritia duotrisetosa sizes are given.

In this study, we investigated the effect of leaf hairiness, based on non-glandular trichome density, of six cotton varieties (Gloria, Lima, Carla, DP-396, Edessa and ST-468) on the development, reproduction and population parameters of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) under controlled conditions. According to trichome densities (mean number/cm²) on the abaxial surface of cotton leaves: Edessa (583.8) and ST-468 (569.9) were grouped as high density; DP-396 (394.9) and Carla (367.5), medium density; Lima (20.4) and Gloria (13.3), low density. As a result, total development periods of T. urticae in Gloria, Lima, Carla, DP-396, Edessa and ST-468 varieties were 9.7, 9.8, 10.6, 10.6, 11.9 and 11.8 days, respectively. The developmental periods of immature stages and total preadults increased significantly with increasing leaf trichome density. The longest oviposition period of T. urticae was detected in Gloria (27.5 days) and Lima (25.1 days) and the shortest was in Edessa (16.4 days) and ST-468 (17.4 days). The highest total fecundity was determined in Gloria (135.6 eggs) and Lima (131.4 eggs) varieties. The highest intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and net reproductive rate (R₀) were obtained in Gloria, Lima, Carla and DP-396, the lowest in Edessa and ST-468 varieties. The longest mean generation time (T) was detected in Edessa (19.0 days) and ST-468 (18.6 days). The result of this study showed that cotton varieties with high trichome density negatively affected the development, reproduction and population parameters of T. urticae.

Ticks are distributed worldwide, and in South America, Brazil possesses the largest diversity of them. They are responsible for transmitting a wide range of pathogens to animals and accidentally to humans. The available data on tick species parasitizing wild animals in Paraná State are limited to few reports. Accordingly, the aims of this study were to describe and map the distribution of ticks parasitizing wild animals in Paraná State, southern Brazil, based on unpublished data from records of ticks deposited in two scientific collections, and tick records from previously published studies. Overall, we obtained 976 records of parasitism by ticks from 173 different species of free-ranging wild animals: 2/173 (1.2%) amphibians, 2/173 (1.2%) reptiles, 119/173 (68.8%) birds, 3/173 (1.7%) canids, 2/173 (1.2%) deer, 6/173 (3.5%) felids, 7/173 (4.0%) marsupials, 3/173 (1.7%) mustelid, 2/173 (1.2%) non-human primates, 2/173 (1.2%) procionid, 19/173 (11.0%) rodents, 2/173 (1.2%) Suine, 1/173 (0.6%) tapir, and 3/173 (1.7%) Xenarthra. A total of 6,794 ticks (1,163 males, 749 females, 428 adults of non-defined sex, 1,824 nymphs, 2,370 larvae, and 260 not identified stages) were recorded. The following tick species were recorded: Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma calcaratum, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dissimile, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma fuscum, Amblyomma geayi, Amblyomma incisum, Amblyomma longirostre, Amblyomma nodosum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parkeri (some published as A. geayi), Amblyomma parvum, Amblyomma pseudoconcolor, Amblyomma rotundatum, Amblyomma sculptum (some published as Amblyomma cajennense senso lato), Amblyomma tigrinum, Amblyomma triste, Amblyomma sp., Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Haemaphysalis sp., Ixodes auritulus, Ixodes fuscipes (some published as Ixodes aragaoi), Ixodes loricatus, Ixodes paranaensis, Ixodes schulzei, Ixodes sp., and Rhipicephalus microplus. Amblyomma aureolatum and A. longirostre were highly prevalent on wild hosts. Ring-tailed coati (Nasua nasua) was the host species with the highest tick richness in Paraná State, Brazil. Also, we provide the first record of the tick-host association A. fuscum on felid (Leopardus guttulus), and R. microplus on rodent (Sphiggurus villosus).

Tetranychus ludeni Zacher is a European spider mite species and an important invasive pest in horticulture. We investigated the effects of hot air on its survival and reproduction, providing knowledge for development of disinfestation programs using heat. We tested how each life stage responded to heat treatments of five air temperatures (45 to 57°C) and five exposure durations (three to 15 hours). We showed that no eggs hatched after exposed to 45°C for ≥ 15 hours, 48°C for ≥ 12 hours, or 51°C for three hours; no adults survived 51°C or 54°C for ≥12 hours or 57°C for ≥ six hours, and heat tolerance of other life stages fell in between. Higher temperature and longer exposure time also reduced developmental success and fecundity. These findings suggest that we may be able to eradicate the mites of all stages using one hot air treatment at 57°C for six hours or two treatments at 51°C for three hours at a 10-day interval to kill all eggs in the first treatment and those laid by survived adults in the second. The eradication strategy using hot air of 51–57°C may be more suitable for treating plant residues on exported/imported machinery, farm equipment and containers because it may have negative impact on fresh postharvest products. With the knowledge that exposure to 45°C substantially reduced the mites' fecundity, particularly when the younger stages were treated, we suggest that heat treatment of fresh postharvest products with 45°C could still greatly reduce the quarantine risk of this pest.

The oribatid mite genus Kunstidamaeus (Damaeidae) is known from 17 species distributed in Europe and Asia. Based on adult and juvenile specimens, we propose K. arthurjacoti sp. nov. as the first Nearctic species. It occurs in the eastern and midwestern USA, as well as Ontario, Canada, in diverse habitats including prairie sod, fens, and leaf litter in forests (both deciduous and coniferous). The new species fits no established species group but mixes traits of European and Asian species, including a flagellate bothridial seta, longitudinally oriented, barbed notogastral setae, and a strongly bent spina adnata. Unique traits include medial displacement of the bothridium and notogastral setae, a hypertrophied tubercle of epimeral seta 1c which closely opposes an accentuated tooth on the podocephalic tectum, and a unique development of the famulus on tarsus I.

For decades, two very similar Arctic oribatid mite species in the family Ceratozetidae—Oromurcia lucens (L. Koch, 1879) and Svalbardia paludicola Thor, 1930—were considered independent taxa and were often confused in the literature. Based on morphological analysis of specimens from the type localities, as well as extensive material from different Arctic regions, we make the following taxonomic proposals: Svalbardia lucens (L. Koch, 1879) comb. nov. (=Svalbardia paludicola Thor, 1930 syn. nov.). Furthermore, we propose that the subfossil Svalbardia rostralis Druk, 1982 (in Kiselev et al. 1982) is a junior subjective synonym (syn. nov.) of S. lucens. We summarize data on distribution and habitat preferences of S. lucens in the Arctic. The frequent occurrence of S. lucens in Pleistocene deposits and its strong dependence on moisture make this species a reliable “type fossil” in paleoclimatic reconstructions.

Three new species of the genus Diptilomiopus Nalepa viz., Diptilomiopus osmanthis sp. nov. infesting Osmanthus fragrans Lour. (Oleaceae), Diptilomiopus radermacherae sp. nov. infesting Radermachera sinica (Hance) Hemsl. (Bignoniaceae) and Diptilomiopus styracus sp. nov. infesting Styrax tonkinensis (Pierre) Craib ex Hartw. (Styracaceae) are described and illustrated. All three new species are vagrant on the leaves of their host plant respectively causing no visible damage.

Lambda-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin from pyrethroids have been used for many years to control the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), which causes serious economic damage in many cultivated and ornamental plants worldwide. In this study, resistant populations previously selected in the laboratory with lambda cyhalothrin and bifenthrin (LR and BR, respectively) were compared with the susceptible strain GSS to assess the effect of the resistance on fitness. Life tables were created by using some biological parameters such as development time, fecundity and adult longevity. Data analysis revealed that lambda-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin resistant populations of T. urticae had no fitness disadvantages. The relative fitness values of the LR (1.09) and BR (1.19) populations also showed an advantage over the susceptible population. Total development and generation time were prolonged in both resistant populations. In the LR population, the life span of the adult females was prolonged, whereas the r_m value was found to increase in the BR population. Total fecundity and egg hatchability were also found to be higher in both resistant populations than the susceptible strain GSS. The net reproduction rate (R₀), one of the life table parameters, was significantly increased in the LR and BR populations. In this study, lambda-cyhalothrin and bifenthrin resistance affected some biological parameters in T.urticae, but the resistance did not produce a loss of fitness in the LR and BR populations. These findings have significant implications for resistance management strategies in terms of the state and management of resistance.

The characters of the life cycle and demographic processes of Ixodes ricinus (L., 1758), (Acari: Ixodidae) populations in the North-West of Russia were studied using methods of the long-term observations of ticks in insets in the natural biotopes (2013–2018). It was found that in the North-West of Russia, I. ricinus had a long period of seasonal activity (from April until October) and a long calendar age. Larvae, nymphs, as well as adults of both sexes can remain active for up to 12–15 months when they meet with appropriate host and feed successfully. Up to 9±0.8% of adults can overwinter twice and remain active until the end of June of the third year of their life (23 months). The I. ricinus tick at every developmental stage forms a certain sub-group of population in August–September. Due to the highly prolonged life the larvae, nymphs and females of I. ricinus are able to feed, and the females can lay eggs during their entire active period from April till October. At the same time, larvae and nymphs that feed from April to June molt in the year of feeding, and their development proceeds according to a three-year scenario. The females feeding from April to June can produce offspring during the same season, thus forming a 3-year developmental cycle. By contrast, all individuals (larvae, nymphs and females) feeding from July to October molt to the next stage in August–September of the following year. Females feeding in July–September can lay eggs both in the year of feeding and after winter diapause. This leads to an increase in the duration of the basic 3-year developmental cycle and its complexity. If the ticks molted the next year after feeding only once in the life cycle, the whole life cycle would increase by a year. If they did it in every developmental stage, then the life cycle would increase by three years. Thus, the total duration of development of ticks of one generation may last from 3 to 6 years. Some adult ticks (not more than 9±0.8% in the population) can remain active until the end of June of the seventh season.

The morphology of species of Platynothrus Berlese, 1913 is insufficiently known. For example, in most species the number of hyposthomal setae, which is probably species-specific, is unknown. Moreover, the number of leg setae and their chaetotaxy are poorly documented which might cause difficulties in identification and species comparison. In this paper, the morphological ontogeny of Platynothrus punctatus (L. Koch, 1879) is redescribed and illustrated and this species is further characterised using DNA barcoding techniques. In all juveniles the bothridial seta is minute, exobothridial seta exa is short and exp is alveolar. In the larva, seta f₁ is setiform, but in the nymphs it is alveolar. Most prodorsal and gastronotal setae of the larva are short and of nymphs are of medium size. The larva has one pair of hyposthomal setae m, protonymph has two pairs, whereas the deutonymph, tritonymph and adult have three, four and five pairs respectively. During the ontogeny of this species, additional l seta appear on trochanter III and all femora, and l and v setae on tarsi. The number of setae on femora of deutonymph to adult is considered species-specific. In all instars, seta d coupled to solenidion is present on all genua and tibiae.

Achaemenothrombium khashayarshahi Noei sp. nov. (Acari: Achaemenothrombiidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on Lepidoptera from Khorasan Razavi and South Khorasan provinces, Iran. This is the fifth larval species of the genus, this far known only from Iran. A key to the larval species of Achaemenothrombium is presented.

We describe adults of a new species, namely Lupaeus brasiliensis Wurlitzer & Rocha sp. nov., and report the first occurrence of Pulaeus krama (Chaudhri, 1977) from the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest.

The morphology of juveniles of Psammogalumna Balogh, 1943 has not been investigated. In this paper, the morphological ontogeny of P. iranica Akrami et al., 2011 is described and illustrated. The prodorsal setae of juveniles are of medium size or long and barbed, the bothridial seta is clavate, with barbed, narow head, and most gastronotal setae are short or minute. The larva has 12 pairs of gastronotal setae, with seven pairs on gastronotal shield (d-, l-series, h₁), the nymphs have 15 pairs, with 10 pairs on gastronotal shield (d-, l-, h-series, p₁), and setae of c-, ad- and an-series, and p₂ and p₃ are inserted on microsclerites. In all juveniles, a humeral organ is present. The hypertrichy occurs in the adanal region of deutonymph and adanal and anal regions of tritonymph and adult.