Two new Rhyncaphytoptus species (Diptilomiopidae: Rhyncaphytoptinae) including R. fagientalis sp. nov. and R. quercivagrans sp. nov. were collected from Fagus orientalis Lipsky. (Fagaceae) and Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey., 1831 (Fagaceae), respectively in Sari county, Mazandaran province, North of Iran. They are described and illustrated.

Two new larval species of Birjandtrombella minae sp. nov. and Birjandtrombella pataxo sp. nov., (Acari: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata: Neotrombidiidae) are described and illustrated from neotropical caves in Brazil (South America). The generic diagnosis of Birjandtrombella is modified and a key to larvae is presented.

A new syringophilid mite species, Stibarokris nielseni sp. nov., from Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus is described. This finding is the third record of quill mite species for Iceland and the first one outside Galliformes. The new species differs from all other species of this genus in the following characters: tarsal claws of legs III and IV are distinctly more massive and strongly curved in comparison to claws of legs I and II (vs. tarsal claws are similar in shape and size in other Stibarokris species); the hysteronotal teeth are replaced ventrally (vs. situated laterally). The distribution of the quill mites of the genus Stibarokris on birds strongly corresponds to avian lineages grouped in the recently established clade Feraequornithes comprising the orders Pelecaniformes, Suliformes, Ciconiiformes, and Procelariiformes. Of these orders, quill mites were not confirmed only on representatives of Sphenisciformes. Probable explanation could be their highly specialized way of life and/or insufficient sampling efforts. Additionally, considering the recent reconstructions of avian phylogeny, the presence of Stibarokris on flamingos (Phoenicopteriformes), which are distant from Feraequornithes, is most likely the result of successful host switching.

Two new species of eriophyoid mites from China are described and illustrated. They are Phyllocoptes broccolis sp. nov. on Mucuna macrocarpa (Leguminosae), and Apodiptacus hongkouianus sp. nov. on Bambusa sp. (Poaceae). Both new eriophyoid mite species are vagrants causing no apparent symptom to their host plants.

During a survey on eriophyoid mites associated with plants in Egypt, six eriophyoid species were collected. The genus Neserella Meyer & Ueckermann, 1989 is reported for the first time from Egypt based on newly collected samples of N. capreifoliae Meyer & Ueckermann, 1989 vagrant on leaves of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae). Aceria sissoae sp. nov. collected from Dalbergia sissoo DC. (Leguminosae) vagrant on the undersurface of petals and pods causing rusting symptoms. Three new records, Aceria suri Ueckermann, 1991 on leaves and buds of Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae) causing leaf blisters, Aceria tribuli (Keifer, 1974) vagrant on the stems and leaves of Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae), Aceria tumisetus Meyer & Ueckermann, 1992 vagrant on the upper side of the leaves of Gazania ringens (L.) Gaertn. (Compositae) are collected for the first time in Egypt. Also, a new species, Tegonotus caricus sp. nov., was found on F. carica L. and herein described and illustrated. This is also the first record for the genus from Egypt. Complementary descriptions and illustrations of the four newly recorded species based on adult females, males and immature stages are also included. A key to eriophyoid mite species associated with family Moraceae in Egypt is provided.

A checklist of the Iranian Phytoseiidae, including 103 species belonging to 15 genera and three subfamilies, is presented. Among them, Typhlodromus Scheuten (31 species) and Neoseiulus Hughes (21 species) are the most specious genera. The checklist is annotated with some corrections to specific identities and known geographical and habitat distributions in Iran. An identification key to the reported phytoseiids from Iran is also provided. Finally, a list of invalid species reported from Iran is presented.

We aimed to investigate the molecular evidences on the role of ticks as vectors of Anaplasma and spotted fever group (SFG) Rickettsia species in southeastern Iran. A total of 815 tick samples were collected from different geographical regions of southern Kerman province. A 524-bp fragment of 16S rRNA and a 464-bp fragment of major surface protein 4 (msp4) of Anaplasma, a 962-bp fragment of outer membrane protein A (ompA) of rickettsiae, as well as an amplicon (ca. 800-bp) of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of ticks were amplified by PCR technique. Ten nucleotide sequences, including three ompA, three ITS2, four Anaplasma (16S rRNA and msp4) were analyzed with BLASTn and phylogenetic software. According to ITS2 nucleotide sequences three tick species Hyalomma asiaticum, H. rufipes and Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex were identified. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected from Rh. sanguineus complex and H. rufipes, as well as A. ovis and a SFG Rickettsia was found in Rh. sanguineus and H. asiaticum, respectively. The present study reemphasizes the potential role of Rh. sanguineus complex in the natural cycle of ovine anaplasmosis in southeastern Iran. Our results also confirmed the presence of R. aeschlimannii in Rh. sanguineus complex and H. rufipes ticks for the first time in Iran. These results suggest a possible role of these ticks in the transmission cycle of R. aeschlimannii in southeastern Iran.

Chiggers are ectoparasites of vertebrates and can cause trombiculiasis or transmit pathogens to their hosts. In the Neotropical region, the genus Quadraseta Brennan includes 16 valid species. Quadraseta antillarum (Brennan) and Quadraseta brennani (Goff & Whitaker), are morphologically identical and we propose the synonymy of Q. brennani with Q. antillarum, based on examination of both type series. The little big-eared bat, Micronycteris megalotis Gray from Venezuela is recorded as a new host.

This paper presents a list of the species, the host plants and distribution of eriophyoid mites on bamboo in the world. Seventy-two eriophyoid species from 32 genera, associated with bamboo species from 13 genera, are listed. Twelve of the reported species belong to Diptilomiopidae and 60 to Eriophyidae. Two new species of eriophyoid mites on bamboo from Yunnan and Hunan Provinces of China are described and illustrated: Calacarus bambusis sp. nov. on Bambusa sp. (Poaceae) and Tetra tessella sp. nov. on Indocalamus tessellatus (Munro) Keng f. (Poaceae). Both species are vagrants on leaf surfaces, causing no apparent damage.

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Leptotocepheus (Oribatida, Otocepheidae) are described from Malawi. Leptotocepheus malawiensis sp. nov. differs from the related species L. macromucronatus by the well developed, spindle-form bothridial seta with distinctly elongate, pointed tip distally (versus slightly developed, fusiform, without elongate, pointed tip distally). Leptotocepheus zombaensis sp. nov. differs from the related species L. trimucronatus by the comparatively short notogastral setae la, h₃, p₁ and p₃, longest notogastral setae h₁ and h₂ (versus all notogastral setae slightly differs in length) and long interlamellar seta (versus medium-sized).

Infrastructure development in cities allows for the expansion of many animal species into urban areas. This includes parasitic arthropods of humans and animals, such as ticks (Acari: Ixodida). Ticks overcome the barriers presented by urbanization and successfully function in these environments. After mosquitoes, ticks are considered the most harmful external parasites to humans. Besides the direct pathogenic effect on their hosts, ticks are particularly dangerous vectors of bacterial, viral, and protozoal infections. Cracow is an increasingly popular tourist destination in Poland. The green spaces and many tourist attractions of this historical town are frequented by residents, local tourists and international travellers—favourable conditions under which ticks can encounter human hosts and spread. Ticks not only occur in green areas and on hiking trails rich in vegetation, but can also thrive in built-up areas on e.g. the exteriors of buildings or inside attics. Five out of the nineteen tick species that occur in Poland have been registered in Cracow: two species representing the Argasidae family: Argas polonicus and Argas reflexus, two species in the Ixodidae family: Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes hexagonus and one species in the Amblyommidae family Dermacentor reticulatus. The aim of this study was to systematize the information available on the tick species that occur in Cracow and to show the diversity of the habitats and feeding environments available to these parasites. These findings can be used to educate urban residents and tourists, especially children and adolescents, about the areas where ticks occur and inform them of individual protection against tick bites. The aim of the study was to systematize the current state of knowledge of the mentioned tick species and to present the diversity of the habitat and feeding environment of these parasites in Cracow. It is also necessary to indicate to urban residents and tourists, especially children and adolescents, the areas where ticks are present as well as the principles of individual protection against tick attacks.