This paper presents a list of 24 species of 24 genera and 14 families of soil-inhabiting oribatid mites (Oribatida) in Republic of Maldives. Aeroppia maldivesensis sp. nov. (Oppiidae) is described on the basis of adults. An identification key to all known species of the genus Aeroppia is provided.

Urban, tourist and recreational environments are ideal places for the spread of ticks to new areas. The increasing presence of wild animals in urban environments can lead to increased exposure and risk of infestation by dangerous parasites in humans and pets. Increased pace of urbanization relates to human mobility, long-distance trade and interactions with nature between humans and companion animals, which could change epidemiological conditions in urban and peri-urban areas. In 2017–2018, 2,777 ticks were collected in selected areas of the Małopolska and Silesian provinces: 2,643 Ixodes ricinus (95.2%), 107 Ixodes hexagonus (3.9%), 23 Ixodes crenulatus (0.8%), 3 Dermacentor reticulatus (0.1%) and 1 Ixodes apronophorus (0.03%), from 1,209 dogs and 399 cats. Ixodes ricinus is of the greatest medical, veterinary and economic importance in the transmission of many pathogens of tick-borne diseases. The widespread travel of humans with their pets is likely to have a key impact on the existing epidemiology situation of many ectoparasites and may lead to a higher frequency of rare or new parasitic diseases.

A first cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the distribution and identification of tick species infesting donkeys, in district Dera Ismail Khan and two tehsils i.e. Daraban and Kulachi. A total of 1370 donkeys were examined and a total of 2190 ticks were collected from different body parts of donkeys. Thirteen tick species belonging to seven genera identified in this study were Rhipicephalus sanguineus (13.196%), Amblyomma variegatum (1.416%), A. americanum (2.001%), Rhipicephalus decoloratus (2.657%), Dermacentor reticulatus (3.651%), D. marginatus (4.711%), Hyalomma rufipes (8.538%), H. dromedarii (12.251%), H. excavatum (9.963), H. anatolicum (19.132%), H. scupense (12.702%), Haemaphysalis punctata (4.803%) and Ixodes ricinus (2.602%). H. anatolicum was the dominant species with 19.132% prevalence, while, A. variegatum was least prevalent, with 1.416% prevalence. The relative abundance of tick species in three tehsils of D.I.Khan was 46.06, 30.85 and 22.90% in tehsil D.I.Khan, Kulachi and Daraban, respectively. Mane and ears were the most affected parts of the host body, while, the tail, eyes and muzzle were less affected. The statistical analysis of the prevalence of ticks among different age and sex groups was found significant. Ticks were abundantly distributed in all of the study areas and further studies related to tick prevalence, distribution, molecular and serological detection of tick-borne pathogens in donkeys, are needed in the country.

The house dust mites (HDMs), defined here as members of the family Pyroglyphidae, are present just about everywhere in human dwellings and act as an important risk factor for allergic rhinitis (AR). They are a major perennial allergen source that causes AR. In the present study, 160 subjects clinically diagnosed with AR from the Department of Ear Nose Throat (ENT), Government Rajindra Medical College and Hospital, Patiala, India, and 30 non-allergic healthy, control individuals were selected. Blood samples were taken from all these study subjects for serological testing and ImmunoCA^™ Phadia^™ 100 was used for the detection of total and HDM specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. To detect total IgE levels, a mixture of 14 different allergens was used and, for HDM specific IgE, a mixture of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart) and D. farinae Hughes allergens. Dust samples were taken from mattresses used by the study subjects with the help of a vacuum cleaner. A floatation method was used for the extraction of mites. Hoyer's medium was used for the preparation of slides for microscopy. Total IgE levels were elevated in all AR subjects and HDM specific IgE levels were found to be positive in 54.38% of them. Analysis of dust samples showed that 72.50% of samples from the mattresses of AR subjects were found to be positive for the HDMs D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae and 33.33% of those from the control group. Total and HDM specific IgE levels of AR subjects showed statistically significant correlation with each other, but in the control group no such correlation was found. Moreover, a significant result was found between the positive HDM specific IgE levels and the number of D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae found in their respective dust samples. In conclusion, the total IgE and positive HDM specific IgE levels showed that there was a chance of allergic reaction in rhinitis subjects. Furthermore, the significant statistical analysis between positive HDM specific IgE levels against D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, and the higher prevalence of these two species in the houses sampled provided support for these mites being the major allergen sources for the symptoms of AR in the study area.

Population dynamic studies help understand how biotic and abiotic factors can affect pest populations and their natural enemies. The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), is an invasive species that severely damages coconut and banana trees and threatens several Arecaceae species in the Americas. In the present study, populations of R. indica were monthly monitored for 16 months in a coconut plantation in Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil, to evaluate the contribution of natural enemies and climatic factors on population dynamics of this pest. Linear models were adjusted to determine how average air temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, and predators affect the abundance of R. indica over time. Rainfall and high air temperatures were the main factors reducing R. indica populations. During the drier months of the year, from September to March (average temperatures approximately 27.6 °C), the densities of R. indica were highest, and severe damage, such as yellowing and leaf necrosis, was observed on the plants. The most abundant predator was Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Its density was positively influenced by R. indica and negatively affected by rainfall and high temperatures. Furthermore, the population of A. largoensis was reduced in drier periods and grew slower than R. indica after this period; thus, studies evaluating the release of this predator at the beginning of the rainy season are necessary to assess its effectiveness in regulating R. indica. This is the first report of insect predatory insects, namely Stethorus sp. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae, regulating R. indica in Brazil.

Two new opilioacarid species from Northeast and Southeast of Brazil are described. Neocarus setilatus sp. nov. from a gallery forest in Piauí and Neocarus marambaia sp. nov. from a restinga area in Rio de Janeiro. Both species have the similar starshaped integument character and smaller, broader setae. We discuss the importance of these characters with systematic value and present an updated taxonomic key for the genus Neocarus.

The present study is based on ptyctimous mite materials collected from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominicana, Peru, and Venezuela. A list of identified taxa, including 26 species from nine genera and five families is provided. Two new species—Phthiracarus alienus sp. nov. (Phthiracaridae) and Austrophthiracarus paradiazae sp. nov. (Steganacaridae)—are described. Morphological additions to description of Indotritia bellingeri are presented.

Predictive models based on diagrammatic scales of damage have been developed to estimate the population density of Aceria guerreronis, an important coconut pest. Steneotarsonemus concavuscutum colonizes the same habitat as A. guerreronis and causes similar lesions on fruits. The present study aims to evaluate the possibility of using predictive models developed for A. guerreronis to estimate S. concavuscutum populations. Fruits infested by S. concavuscutum were collected and evaluated according to the diagrammatic scales developed by Galvão et al. (2008) and by Sousa et al. (2017). All active forms of S. concavuscutum were accounted for. Graphical and statistical analyzes were performed to evaluate the adequacy of the predictive models. Both the models proved to be inadequate to estimate the population of S. concavuscutum, both statistically and graphically. New predictive models were proposed using the grades of the diagrammatic scales and the mean numbers of S. concavuscutum/fruit. To validate the models, new fruits were collected and evaluated by 10 examiners with both the diagrammatic scales. All active forms of S. concavuscutum were accounted for. The new predictive model based on the grades of Galvão et al. (2008) underestimated the populations of S. concavuscutum, while the model obtained from the grades of Sousa et al. (2017) generated values close to the expected, proving itself to be adequate statistically and graphically, to estimate the populations of S. concavuscutum.

Tick surveillance was conducted annually from February–November 2019–2021 at US Army Garrison (USAG) Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, Republic of Korea (ROK). Three general habitats, cut grasses, uncut grasses + herbaceous vegetation, and young mixed (deciduous and conifer) forest groves, were surveyed using tick drags. Ticks also were collected from Korean water deer, Hydropotes inermis argyropus, killed by vehicles at USAG Humphreys. A total of 53,428 ticks (18,004, 16,921, and 18,503 during 2019–2021, respectively) belonging to two genera and five species were collected by tick drag. Haemaphysalis longicornis (48,880; 91.49%) was the most frequently collected tick, followed by H. flava (2,501; 4.68%), Ixodes nipponensis (2,019; 3.78%), H. phasiana (27; 0.05%), and H. japonica (1; <0.01%). A total of 1,340 ticks belonging to two genera and three species were collected from 20/27 (74.07%) Korean water deer from January–December 2019–2021. Haemaphysalis longicornis (1,138; 84.93%) was the most commonly collected tick, followed by I. nipponensis (184; 13.73%), and H. flava (18; 1.34%). Ixodes nipponensis was collected from Korean water deer throughout the year, indicating that they were active during all seasons in the ROK. Haemaphysalis longicornis adults and nymphs were collected similarly from all habitats during March-November. Haemaphysalis flava was more frequently collected during the early and late seasons when there were relatively low temperatures. Unlike other species, I. nipponensis was collected more frequently in mixed forests from March-June. Adult male H. longicornis accounted for only 0.05% (3♂/5,769♀) of the total number of adults collected by tick drag, while no males (0♂/194♀) were collected from Korean water deer. In contrast, only H. flava males (15) were collected from Korean water deer, while both sexes of I. nipponensis (103♂/75♀) were collected during 2019–2021.

The African genus Austracarus Lawrence, 1949 was revised based on type specimens and literature data. Two species were transferred to this genus from Acomatacarus Ewing, 1942—A. gateri (Radford, 1942) and A. theileri Radford, 1947. Re-descriptions of these species based on their holotypes and one topotypic specimen were prepared. Two species were re-described based on their paratypes—Austracarus procaviae Lawrence, 1949 and A. dendrohyracis (Vercammen-Grandjean, 1957). The monotypic genus Austrombicula Lawrence, 1949 was synonymized with Austracarus. An updated diagnosis and a key to species of Austracarus are provided.

A new feather mite species Genoprotolichus tilae sp. nov. is described from the white-eyed parakeet, Psittacara leucophthalmus (Müller PLS, 1776) (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae), from Brazil. A list of pterolichid mite genera associated with parrots (Prittaciformes) is presented, and data on Genoprotolichus species recorded from the New World are summarized. Some diagnostic features (scapular setae) of all previously described species of the genus Genoprotolichus are presented.

The remnants of natural vegetation can act as reservoirs of natural enemies that control pest populations in crops, thus, optimizing agricultural production. Here, we assessed whether the conservation of native vegetation in agricultural landscapes affects the abundance and richness of mites in rubber tree plantations. For this purpose, we sampled 17 landscapes that encompassing rubber tree crops either adjacent or close to natural vegetation remnants. To infer the conservation status of vegetation remnants, we used five landscape variables. Then we used Linear Mixed Models (LMM) to test the effect of conservation status metrics on the abundance and richness of mites, density of Calacarus heveae and leaf damage. We collected 1,335 mites with phytophagous being the most abundant guild, followed by predatory and mycophagous mites. We found a negative effect of habitat fragmentation on the abundance of phytophagous mites. Predatory mites abundance in rubber tree crops was positively affected by both habitat heterogeneity and complexity, as well as by the aggregation index. Likewise, the abundance of mycophagous species was also positively correlated with habitat heterogeneity. Phytophagous and predatory species richness, C. heveae density, and symptoms of leaf damage by phytophagous were not affected by the landscape metrics tested herein. These results highlight the importance in keeping natural remnants in agricultural landscapes since native vegetation can serve as refuge and reservoir for predatory mites, which colonize crops, and can contribute to biological pest control.

Phoretic females of Acarothorectes curculionium (Cross) and a new species Brasilopsis floridensis sp. nov. (Acari: Pygmephoridae) were collected as associates of ambrosia beetles in Florida, USA. The genera Acarothorectes and Brasilopsis are recorded from USA for the first time and redefined. Acarothorectes curculionium is redescribed based on material from USA. Some morphological structures of described mites and the present state of knowledge of taxonomy of Pygmephoroidea are discussed.

Postlarval stages of a new species, Tanytydeus sakhalinensis sp. nov., are described from the bark of spruce from Sakhalin Island, Russia. Tanytydeus simplex (Delfinado and Baker) is reported from Russia for the first time. Its postlarval stages were collected from moss from Altai Republic, Russia. The protonymph, deutonymph and tritonymph of T. simplex are described for the first time and the male of this species is redescribed. An updated key to species of the genus Tanytydeus is also provided.

Pyemotes zhonghuajia Yu, Zhang & He (Acari: Pyemotidae) is an ectoparasitic mite that efficiently controls agricultural and forestry pests in Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera. A single P. zhonghuajia mite can paralyze and kill a host 680,000 times its own weight within 3 h. Although this mite is an efficient and broad-spectrum natural enemy unique to China, its mitochondrial genome is still unknown. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of P. zhonghuajia was sequenced and annotated. The complete mitogenome of P. zhonghuajia was 14,772 bp and comprised 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and one control region. The base composition of the complete mitogenome was 39.6% of A, 13.1% of G, 7.0% of C, and 40.2% of T, with a total A+T content of 79.8%. The length of 13 PCGs was 10,469 bp, with an A+T content of 78.4%. The length of 22 tRNA genes ranged from 45 bp to 67 bp. The secondary structures of 22 tRNA genes were predicted, and 10 tRNAs had the typical cloverleaf secondary structure, whereas 12 tRNAs were truncated without the D-arm. The 16s-rRNA and 12s-rRNA genes were 1,011 bp and 612 bp, respectively. The control region was 692 bp. The mitogenome gene order of P. zhonghuajia was not consistent with the pattern of its ancestor Parasitus wandunqingi. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using 13 PCG sequences from 29 mites, and the results confirmed that P. zhonghuajia is a species in Eleutherengona.