Persian Journal of Acarology
Volume:14 Issue: 2, Spring 2024

During the survey on the eriophyoid mite fauna of Jolfa county, East Azerbaijan, Iran, one new eriophyid species, Aceria jolfae Lotfollahi sp. nov. was found and described. This species was vagrant on its host plant Artemisia fragrans Willd. (Asteraceae) without any observed alteration and was the first record of eriophyoid mites on this host plant species.

A new species of the genus Flagellozetes (Oribatida, Galumnidae) – F. (Cosmogalumna) daklakensis sp. nov. – is described from dry litter in Shorea dipterocarp forest in Daklak Province, Central Vietnam. The species F. (C.) maolanensis is recorded for the first time in Vietnamese fauna. An identification key to the known species of Flagellozetes is presented.

Chigger mites of the tribe Schoengastiini Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 having five non-specialized setae on the palpal tarsus and some other genera related to Guntheria Womersley, 1939 were reviewed based on literature. Original descriptions and re-descriptions of 283 species were examined. A new classification of Guntheria was proposed, with the re-definition of the subgenera G. (Domrowana) Vercammen-Grandjean & Langston, 1971 and G. (Domrowella) Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960, and the related genus Derrickiella Audy & Domrow, 1957. The subgenus G. (Phyllacarus) Vercammen-Grandjean, 1967 was re-defined and raised to the genus level. One new subgenus was described — Phyllacarus (Platypacarus) subgen. nov. One previously monotypic genus Argentinacarus Goff & Gettinger, 1995 was expanded and included in Derrickiella as a subgenus. The genus Proschoengastia Vercammen-Grandjean, 1967 previously synonymized with Herpetacarus (Abonnencia) Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 was restored. Two new synonyms were established: Pseudoschoengastia (Walchioides) Vercammen-Grandjean 1960 [= Guntherana (Pseudosusa) Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960, syn. nov.] and Euryphylla Vercammen-Grandjean, 1967 stat. nov. [= Eusaperium Brennan, 1970, syn. nov.]. Sixty-six new combinations were proposed in the genera Guntheria (3), Derrickiella (22), Susa Audy & Nadchatram, 1960 (1), Schoutedenichia Jadin & Vercammen-Grandjean, 1954 (2), Phyllacarus (26), Pseudoschoengastia Lipovsky, 1951 (1), Vanidicus Brennan & Jones, 1961 (1), Ornithogastia Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960 (1), Perissopalla Brennan & White, 1960 (1), Euryphylla (7), and Proschoengastia (1). A key to the genera and subgenera of Schoengastiini with five setae on palpal tarsus was compiled.

A new species of Eustigmaeus Berlese, 1910 (Acari: Stigmaeidae), E. pseudosetiferus, is described and illustrated from Astragalus sp. (Fabaceae), in Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, Iran. A key to the species of Eustigmaeus known from Iran is provided and E. isfahaniensis is considered as a junior synonym of E. ottavii.

Two new species of eriophyoid mites, Shevtchenkella holoptele sp. nov. from Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) (Ulmaceae) and Diptilomiopus cordifoliae sp. nov. from Haldina cordifolia (Roxb.) (Rubiaceae) were described and illustrated from New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal, India. The two new mite species were found to be vagrant on under surface of the leaves without causing visible damage symptoms.

Oligonychus washingtoniae Mushtaq, Kamran & Alatawi, 2022 (Acari: Tetranychidae) is reported for the second time in the world based on new materials from Iran. The ontogenetic changes in leg chaetotaxy and new data of this species is also provided.

This study aimed 1) to investigate the effect of two citrus mites, Panonychus citri (McGregor) and Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein) as food on the biological parameters of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), and 2) to evaluate the effect of three factors (temperature with two levels (T), diet type with four levels (P) and density of diet with five levels (D)) on predation and reproduction rate of N. californicus alone, as well as the interactions between them, using factorial design with general linear model. From the results, feeding the predatory mite, N. californicus on mobile stages of P. citri caused a significant reduction in the pre-adult and adult longevity periods of females (4.96 and 24.22 days), respectively. Significant increase in the total fecundity (34 eggs/female) over an oviposition period of 14 days compared to feeding on E. orientalis was observed. Also, the values of the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the finite rate of increase (λ) parameters were higher, and at the same time, the generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) were shorter when the predator fed on P. citri mobile stages than E. orientalis. Using a factorial design with general linear model, the predation rate of N. californicus and the daily number of eggs deposited by female were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by the three factors: temperature (T), diet type (P), and density of diet (D) alone, and with interaction between them. The high fecundity, short generation time, and moderate rm of population of N. californicus in addition to being better adapted to high temperatures indicate significant potential as an effective biological control agent for the two citrus mites, P. citri and E. orientalis attacking citrus orchards. Results are necessarily being considered in pest management decisions.

Grafting is a technique greatly used in fruit trees and vegetable crops by joining the rootstock of one plant with the scion of another plant. The rootstock is chosen for its ability to provide the scion with a healthy root system that provides not only higher tolerance to abiotic stress conditions but also a stronger resistance against pests and pathogens. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of two commonly used rootstocks, sour orange and volkamer lemon, in lemon grafting on population densities and life table parameters of Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein). The results were then related to the chemical identification of polyphenol compounds using HPLC. Significant changes in population density and life table parameters of E. orientalis were observed between the two rootstocks used in lemon grafting. The rootstock sour orange had a high influence on population growth of E. orientalis. Balady limes and adalia lemons grafted onto sour orange showed lower density of E. orientalis movable stages than balady limes grafted onto volkamer lemon. Balady limes and adalia lemons grafted onto sour orange significantly increased the total developmental periods of E. orientalis and decreased the adult longevity period, oviposition period, and the total fecundity of females. The total developmental period was 9.64 and 10.14 days, the adult longevity period was 3.58 and 3.59 days, and the total fecundity of females was 4.59 and 5.50 eggs/female, respectively. Additionally, the use of sour orange in grafting lemon resulted in a decrease in the net (R0) and gross (GRR) reproductive rates, which in turn reduced the intrinsic (r) and finite (λ) rates of increase. The rootstock's high performance may be attributed to the presence of high concentrations of polyphenol compounds that deter feeding and reproduction by E. orientalis. The study suggests that this rootstock can be utilized as a tool in integrated pest management strategies against the citrus brown mite, E. orientalis. When incorporated into an integrated pest control program for E. orientalis in citrus orchards, this technique enhances plant tolerance to infestation, while also ensuring that the output is effective and sustainable.

The bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini Claparédè has been identified as a common pest attacking saffron corms. This mite is also a saprophytic species that is able to feed on fungi (mycelium). It has also been demonstrated that some soil-born fungi can attack and establish on saffron corms. After related fungi were isolated and identified either in saffron corms and mite bodies, the fungus Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht was the most abundant species in both samples; subsequently, it was used in the experiments. For studying the role of soil-borne fungi on life-table parameters of the mite, an even-aged cohort of eggs was obtained and transferred to experimental units to feed on saffron corm sections in two groups (fungal-infected and non-infected corms) in laboratory conditions. A total of 36 individuals were used for each treatment. The life-history data were analyzed according to the age-stage, two-sex life table model. Results showed that total pre-adult development of R. robini was significantly faster on Fusarium-infected rather than healthy corms (10.91 and 11.48 days respectively, P < 0.05). Adult pre-oviposition period (APOP) was significantly shorter when females were reared on fungal-infested than non-infested corms (1.84 and 2.88 days, respectively, P < 0.05). In addition, survivorship and fecundity of the mite on the two diets indicated higher rates and consequently, the net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) were significantly higher (P < 0.05 for both parameters) (202.07 and 351.13 offspring for R0 and 0.218 and 0.251 day−1 for r respectively on non-infested and infested diets). According to the results obtained, the soil-borne fungus affected demographic parameters of the bulb mite and it supports the hypothesis that the mite prefers plant tissues infected with soil-borne fungi because these are more suitable hosts.

In Egypt, serious piercing-sucking pests such as the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, white fly, Bemisia tabaci, the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, and the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae cause significant yield losses in sweet pepper crop grown in greenhouses. The purpose of this research is to assess the effectiveness of two phytoseiid mites, Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus californicus, as biological control agents for piercing-sucking pests on sweet pepper in greenhouses, compared with chemical acaricides. Three release rates were assessed: 10 adults of A. swirskii/plant, 10 adults of N. californicus/plant, and 7 adults of A. swirskii + 7 adults of N. californicus combined. The highest population density of B. tabaci and F. occidentalis was on yellow ‘Qiuda’ followed by significant damage with T. urticae. Red ‘Grand bell’, on the contrary, was consistently more susceptible to T. urticae and moderately prone to whitefly infestation. Both biological and chemical pest control were efficient in reducing pest populations on sweet pepper in greenhouses. The results indicated that A. swirskii, alone or in combination with N. californicus, was more effective against F. occidentalis, B. tabaci, and P. latus on both pepper cultivars than acaricides sprayed under the same conditions. Moreover, the predatory mite, N. californicus, outperformed A. swirskii and acaricides against T. urticae. Together, the predatory mites, A. swirskii and N. californicus can improve biological control of piercing-sucking pests. The yield increased by 37.4 to 40.0% over the control treatment using the biological control candidates. Furthermore, biological control program resulted in the highest cost reductions for sweet pepper production (35.7–40.7 and 16.2–27.2%) compared to the control and acaricides treatments, as well as a safe yield free of chemical residues.

In this study, toxicity of crude leaf extract of Calotropis procera (Aiton) (Apocynaceae) was assessed against Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) in laboratory conditions using the spraying method. The LC50 values after 24 hours of treatment were calculated as 3608.73 and 2277.02 mg/L for female and male mites respectively. These amounts after 48 hours of treatment were 2456.98 and 1671.2 mg/L. Results showed that the incubation period, total immature and life cycle durations of T. urticae were prolonged under the influence of the C. procera extract. The fecundity and hatchability percentages were significantly lower (18.2 eggs/females and 94.38%) compared to control (44.73 eggs/females and 99.47%), respectively. The reduction rate of T. urticae at different stages after 1, 3, 7, and 14 days of spraying showed that C. procera had a positive impact on mite population reduction that recorded 94.84 and 100% for females and males 14 days post-treatment. The methanolic extract of C. procera leaves was separated into 18 fractions. The 10th fraction exhibited 67, and 73% mortality, 48 and 72 hours post-treatment, respectively. Seventeen substances were identified in this fraction by using the GC-MS. These findings suggest that the leaf extract of C. procera which contains different novel compounds has the potential to be used for controlling T. urticae in the future.