Parasitic mites of Apis mellifera, particularly species belonging to the genera Varroa and Tropilaelaps, commonly co-occur in honey bee colonies, posing challenges to beekeepers in achieving effective colony management. The present study evaluated the toxicity and hive-based efficacy of four essential oils against Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps clareae in Apis mellifera colonies co-infested with both mite species. In laboratory fumigation bioassays, thyme oil proved to be the most toxic against both mite species, with median lethal concentrations (LC50) of 3.85 and 3.19 & micro;l/l air, respectively. The selectivity ratio for A. mellifera was also highest for thyme oil, followed by eucalyptus, clove, and lemongrass oils. In colony examinations, all tested oils were effective in reducing the infestation of both mite species compared to the control, although variable responses were observed among the essential oils. For all tested oils, efficacy was higher against V. destructor and lower against T. clareae after treatment. A significant increase in brood area was observed in colonies treated with thyme oil, indicating its safety and adaptability to honey bees, whereas the other oils showed non-significant effects. Overall, the findings suggest that the selected essential oils can provide effective control of parasitic mites with acceptable safety to honey bees, highlighting their potential for inclusion in integrated mite management strategies.
The description of Trachycilliba dominicana n. sp. (Mesostigmata: Uropodina: Uropodidae) from the Dominican Republic is presented based on females, males and deutonymphs. This is the first conformed Neotropical species of the genus Trachycilliba. The new species has several unusual characteristics that were not observed in other species of this genus, such as a specific-shaped elevated central area on the dorsal shield and the absence of the eight post-dorsal platelets.
Two new species of feather mites are described from passerine birds in southern China: Dolichodectes foliaceus sp. n. (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae) from the Mountain Bulbul, Ixos mcclellandii (Horsfield, 1940) (Pycnonotidae), and Trouessartia durascutata sp. n. (Trouessartiidae) the latter from the Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Trochalopteron milnei David, 1874 (Leiothrichidae). The new Dolichodectes species represents the first member of this genus described from a host in the family Pycnonotidae. Males of Dolichodectes foliaceus sp. n. possess a distinct morphological character that clearly differentiates it from most of known species of the genus: the pseudanal setae ps3 are positioned laterally to the adanal suckers resulting in the arrangement of setae g and ps3 in a tall trapezoid, rather than a rectangle. The unique features of males of Dolichodectes foliaceus sp. n. readily distinguishing it from other species are the shape of the opisthosomal lobes having concave posterior margins and the shape of terminal setae h3 resembling linden leaves. Trouessartia durascutata sp. n. has dorsal shields with heavily sclerotized margins in both sexes and morphologically is most similar to T. asiatica Constantinescu, 2023 described from the Rusty-capped Fulvetta, Schoeniparus dubius (Pellorneidae). Males of T. durascutata sp. n. are distinguished from T. asiatica in having setae g filiform and situated on the postgenital plaque, the adanal apodemes with apophyses, the terminal lamellae with lateral and posterior margins denticulate, and legs IV with ambulacral discs extending beyond the apices of terminal lamellae. Females of the new species are characterized by very short external copulatory tube and the collar spermatheca with a fringe of denticles.
Spider mites represent a significant constraint to improved forage grass adoption in East Africa, particularly affecting Urochloa cultivars that are crucial for addressing the region's 40% livestock feed gap. This study employed an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular analyses to identify a spider mite species infesting Urochloa interspecific grasses in Kenya. A colony of 80 spider mites was established from symptomatic Urochloa hybrid cv. Cayman plants collected from Mbita Point, Kenya, showing characteristic foliar chlorosis and necrotic spots. Morphological examination of 46 slide-mounted specimens using Hoyer's medium revealed consistent morphotypical features characteristic of Oligonychus (Reckiella) trichardti Meyer, 1974. Molecular sequence data was also provided for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) markers to supplement the morphological identification. Analysis of COI and ITS2 sequences from 10 individuals revealed identical haplotypes for both markers, reflecting the single source colony sampling and providing species level reference sequences. Maximum Likelihood analyses of COI and ITS2 datasets placed the Kenyan specimens within the subgenus Reckiella and clearly distinguished them from other sampled species. While backbone relationships among closely related taxa were moderately supported, species-level clustering was robust in both markers. This study provides the first molecular barcode identification for O. trichardti associated with Urochloa grasses in Kenya, providing essential baseline information for developing targeted integrated pest management strategies. While morphological characters allow for the clear identification of adult males, the molecular data presented here facilitate accurate species identification for immature stages and females, which otherwise lack diagnostic morphological features. This diagnostic capability is particularly significant given the taxonomic complexity within the genus Oligonychus and the agricultural importance of precise species identification for effective pest management in forage systems.
Piona conglobata (Koch, 1837) is redefined, based on fresh material recently collected from various areas in Norway. The analysis considers both, the morphological variability range and molecular data (CO1 sequences). With the same methods, two additional clusters sharing diagnostic features with P. conglobata (following Gerecke et al. 2016) are identified and redescribed. Both correspond to taxa formerly treated as junior synonyms of the latter species - P. punctata (Neuman, 1875) and P. lacustricola K. Viets, 1949.
Nine spider mite species have been recorded from the fauna of Kazakhstan for the first time: Eotetranychus tiliarium (Hermann, 1804), Eurytetranychus buxi (Garman, 1935), Neotetranychus rubi Tr & auml;g & aring;rdh, 1915, Panonychus ulmi (Koch, 1836), Schizotetranychus avetjanae Bagdasarian, 1954, S. brachypodii Livshits & Mitrofanov, 1968, Tenuipalpoides ziziphus Reck & Bagdasarian, 1948, Tetranychus gladioli Livshits & Mitrofanov, 1980, and Tetranycopsis spiraeae Reck, 1948. The distribution of Stigmaeopsis malkovskii (Wainstein, 1956), Tetranychus przhevalskii Reck, 1956, and T. similis Wainstein, 1958 in South-East Kazakhstan has also been established. New data on host plants have been obtained for the 12 spider mite species.
Spinibdella is a genus of the subfamily Spinibdellinae of the family Bdellidae. At present, 38 species of the genus Spinibdella are known worldwide, with only nine species previously recorded in China. This paper provides a detailed description base on the adult and deutonymph of a new species, Spinibdella scobis Wu & Guo sp. nov., characterized by unpaired median eye present; chelicera setae short, minute; anal region with five pairs of postanals.
The oribatid mite family Achipteriidae Thor, 1929 is recorded in the Kingdom of Bhutan for the first time, and a new species Achipteria (Achipteria) bhutanica sp. nov. is described based on morphological examination of adult specimens collected from forest litter. This new species is characterized by an almost smooth body surface, broad lamellae with a single pointed lateral tooth, barbed bothridial setae and short notogastral setae. This is also the first published record of an oribatid mite from the country since the 1980s.
The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is a major pest of ornamental and horticultural crops worldwide. Phytoseiid mites play a crucial role in its biological control; however, little is known about the predation dynamics of Amblydromalus species against T. urticae under Andean conditions. This study evaluated the functional response of Amblydromalus limonicus females when preying upon eggs and mobile stages (larvae and protonymphs) of T. urticae under controlled laboratory conditions. Experiments were conducted at 25 +/- 2 degrees C and 65 +/- 5 % RH using single predators exposed to increasing prey densities on rose-leaf discs. Logistic regression was applied to determine the type of functional response, and predation parameters were estimated using Rogers' Random Predator Equation (RRE) to account for prey depletion. Bootstrapping (1,000 iterations) provided 95 % confidence intervals for attack rate and handling time. Amblydromalus limonicus exhibited a Holling type II functional response for both prey stages. The attack rate and handling time were 1.52 h-1 and 0.050 h for eggs, and 0.80 h-1 and 0.215 h for mobile stages, respectively, corresponding to theoretical maximum consumptions of 20.0 and 4.7 prey/day for the respective stages. The predator showed higher efficiency on eggs, suggesting a strong capacity for density-dependent regulation of T. urticae populations. These results highlight A. limonicus as a promising biological control agent for early-season or preventive releases in integrated mite management programmes.
A new feather mite, Microgruolichus armogaster gen. n., sp. n. (Pterolichidae: Pterolichinae), is described from the Common Crane Grus grus (Linnaeus) from the south of the European Russia. The newly established genus Microgruolichus gen. n. belongs to the generic grouping of pterolichines associated with cranes (Gruidae) and is most close to the genus Gruolichus Atyeo and Windingstad, 1979. The new genus Microgruolichus gen. n. is readily distinguished from Gruolichus in having the following features: in both sexes, the tibial setae kTIV are present, epimerites I are fused into a V; in males, setae ps1 are lanceolate, the adanal suckers are ovate, the genital and opisthoventral shields are present, and legs IV do not extend to the level of lobar apices; and in females, the posterolateral areas of ventral hysterosoma are covered with opisthoventral shield formed by the peripheral parts of hysteronotal shield curved to ventral side of the body, and setae h3 are much shorter than marcrosetae h2. The taxonomic content of the feather mite fauna currently known from representatives of the family Gruidae is briefly discussed.
Two new species were collected from the family Phymatodiscidae Kontsch & aacute;n and Ermilov, 2023 during the study of the soil-dwelling Uropodina from Brunei Darussalam. Phymatodiscus bruneiensis n. sp. has very unusual characters (such as marginal prolongations situated only on the caudal area) that are visible only in the Japanese P. iriomotensis Hiramatsu, 1979, but the shape and positions of the dorsal, ventral and sternal setae differ between those two species. The second species, P. hiramatsui n. sp., lacks marginal prolongations; this character state is observable only in P. polyglottis Hirschmann, 1977 (New Guinea), but the known species differ from it in the shape of the elevated parts of the dorsal shield, the sculptural pattern and the dorsal setation.
The present research reports 15 species from 10 genera of the family Laelapidae from Saudi Arabia. Among them, four genera (Dinogamasus Kramer, Hypoaspisella Bernhard, Persicolaelaps Kazemi and Beaulieu and, Ololaelaps Berlese), and eight species are recorded as new to the mite fauna of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, an identification key to all known species (15) of the family Laelapidae from Saudi Arabia has been developed.
Nests of eusocial bees harbor diverse mite assemblages, yet the taxonomy of many associated Laelapidae (Mesostigmata) species remains poorly resolved. In this study, specimens collected from nests of Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata Lepeletier in three Brazilian states (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and S & atilde;o Paulo) were morphologically examined to assess their conspecificity and determine their generic placement. Specimens of both sexes were studied under differential interference contrast microscopy, photographed, measured, and illustrated. The examined material was identified as Laelaps (Hypoaspis) alphabeticus Berlese, 1904, a species that was recently treated as Hypoaspis and had an uncertain generic placement. Based on its morphological characteristics, it is here transferred to Bisternalis as Bisternalis alphabeticus (Berlese, 1904) n. comb. (Laelapidae). This transfer is supported by the combination of a modified sternal region with seta st 1 partially detached from the main sternal shield, a snake-head-shaped epigynal shield, and a subtriangular anal shield, wider than long, and with a concave anterior margin. The diagnosis of Bisternalis is accordingly expanded to accommodate this species. In addition, an identification key to morphologically similar laelapid genera associated with Hymenoptera and a key to the currently recognized species of Bisternalis are provided.
The genus Agistemus Summers (Acari: Stigmaeidae) comprises predatory mites widely distributed in various agroecosystems. Agistemus manjilicus Khanjani, Hajizadeh & Zarei was described from Iran and differentiated from related species based on subtle morphological traits. However, a detailed comparison with A. mendozensis Simons reveals substantial overlap in diagnostic characters. In this study, we re-evaluated the taxonomic status of A. manjilicus through a comparative analysis of morphological characteristics, idiosomal dorsal setae measurements, diagnostic ratios, and leg chaetotaxy. Our results indicate that all distinguishing characters fall within the range of intraspecific variation of A. mendozensis. No consistent differences were found in key diagnostic traits such as dorsal setae morphology, diagnostic ratios, and leg chaetotaxy. Based on these findings, Agistemus manjilicus Khanjani, Hajizadeh & Zarei n. syn. is herein considered a junior subjective synonym of A. mendozensis Simons. This synonymy contributes to a more stable taxonomy within the genus and highlights the importance of comprehensive morphological comparisons in species delimitation.
The role of spontaneous vegetation as an alternative habitat for natural enemies in agroecosystems is well recognized, but little is known about its contribution to predatory mites in banana plantations. This study evaluated the diversity, community structure, and plant-mite associations of predatory mites, with an emphasis on Phytoseiidae, on banana cultivars and spontaneous vegetation in a banana-growing region of S & atilde;o Paulo state, Brazil. Mites were sampled monthly throughout 2018 and 2019 from five banana cultivars (BRS Platina, BRS Princesa, Grand Naine, Prata Catarina and Terra Maranh & atilde;o) and from the predominant spontaneous weed species within the plantation. Phytoseiidae diversity was assessed through species richness and Shannon diversity indices, while community composition was analyzed using non-metric multidimensional scaling and permutational multivariate analysis of variance. Plant-mite associations were explored through bipartite network analyses. A total of 25 phytoseiid species were recorded, with weeds harboring significantly higher species richness and diversity than banana cultivars. Community composition of Phytoseiidae differed between banana plants and weeds, indicating that non-crop vegetation supports distinct predatory mite assemblages rather than simply increasing the abundance of crop-associated species. In contrast, phytoseiid diversity did not significantly differ among banana cultivars, suggesting a limited influence of cultivar identity on predator assemblages. The most frequent species, including Amblyseius tamatavensis Blommers, Euseius concordis (Chant), Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma, and Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman & McGregor), are generalist predators known to exploit alternative food resources, which may explain their strong association with weeds. In addition to Phytoseiidae, several predatory Trombidiformes families (Cheyletidae, Bdellidae, and Cunaxidae) were also recorded, reinforcing the role of weeds in supporting a diverse predatory guild. Our results demonstrate that spontaneous vegetation plays a key role in maintaining diverse and compositionally distinct communities of predatory mites in banana agroecosystems. Although pest suppression was not directly assessed, the enrichment of predator diversity on weeds highlights their potential value in conservation biological control and supports the inclusion of non-crop vegetation in ecologically based management strategies for sustainable banana production. Additionally, this study presents the first record of Graminaseius bahiensis Ferragut & Carvalho since its original description and the first report of its occurrence outside of the state of Bahia, in S & atilde;o Paulo.
The genus Vikramus Denmark & Evans was originally established as a monotypic genus based on its type species, V. cordobus. However, its original description was not sufficiently detailed. In the present study, we provide a redefinition of this genus based on the examination of the holotype female of V. cordobus and detailed photos of the holotype and paratypes of Neoseiulus argentinus Guanilo & Moraes. The genus is recognized as valid based on a unique combination of diagnostic characters, including an elongated ventrianal shield, with its width at the level of seta ZV2 subequal to that at the level of the anal opening; small, rounded preanal solenostomes, relatively well separated and located closer to the bases of setae JV2; a simple, bell-shaped spermatheca, with a small, nodular atrium attached to the calyx by a very short neck, never forked at the juncture with the major duct; chelicera dentition; clubbed and strongly serrated dorsal setae and ventral seta JV5, except for j4, j5, j6, J2, and z5, which are smooth and sharply pointed. Examination of the type specimens revealed that the type species of this genus, V. cordobus, is conspecific with N. argentinus. Accordingly, Vikramus argentinus (Guanilo & Moraes) comb. nov. is recognized as the sole valid species of the genus, and a complementary description is provided. Moreover, the taxonomic status of Vikramus as a distinct valid genus is subsequently discussed and justified based on its unique combination of morphological characters and the polyphyletic nature of Neoseiulus sensu Chant & McMurtry. This study contributes to a clearer definition of generic boundaries within the family Phytoseiidae.
In this paper, I amend and complete my 2025 article “Sixty years after ‘A review of the genera of the family Tydeidae’ (Acariformes: Tydeoidea: Tydeidae)”. Special attention is given to variations, anomalies vs vertitions, as well as to hard borders vs fuzzy boundaries and consequences on systematics. The so-called eyespots are not primitive sensory organs and are probably part of the podocephalic gland complex. Gradual reduction of the genital chaetotaxy is observed both in Tydeus and Brachytydeus. Nomenclatural changes are noted in (sub)genera and species: (1) Kazmierskius (n. gen.); (2) Tydeus (Edpertydeus) (n. subgen.) with T. tuttlei as type species renamed T. (E.) tuttlei (n. comb.); (3) Tydeus (Homoiorthotydeus) (n. comb.) with H. quadrisetosus as type species renamed T. (H.) quadrisetosus (n. comb.); (4) Brachytydeus (Pertydeus) (n. comb.) with T. (P.) schusteri as type species renamed B. (P.) schusteri (n. comb.); (5) Brachytydeus (Quadrotydeus) (n. comb.) with Q. sleipneri as type species renamed B. (Q.) sleipneri (n. comb.) and B. (Q.) inconstans (n. comb.) and (6) Brachytydeus (Eotydeus) (n. comb.) with E. mirabilis as type species renamed B. (E.) mirabilis (n. comb.)
Water mites of the Hygrobates fluviatilis complex are among the most common and abundant groups in Palaearctic running waters. Currently, this complex includes 12 species, including Hygrobates lusitanicus sp. nov., which is described herein from Portugal using an integrative taxonomic approach. To facilitate future identification and research, we provide an overview of the 12 species within the complex based on 787 BOLD records, a large portion of which are publicly accessible. Furthermore, our study provides the first record of Hygrobates persicus Pe & scaron;i & cacute; & Asadi, 2017 for Cyprus. We discuss the biogeographic implications of this finding, specifically regarding the timing of island colonization and the evolutionary history of the complex in the Mediterranean.
Histiogaster arborsignis Woodring, 1963 (Acari: Acaridae) is a fungivorous acarid mite whose phoretic deutonymphs commonly disperse on wood-boring insects. Although the mite has been reported from Ips typographus in Germany, its occurrence in Central Europe has been poorly documented. Here, we report the first confirmed record of H. arborsignis associated with the Eurasian spruce bark beetle I. typographus in the Czech Republic and provide new evidence of its ecological roles within bark beetle gallery systems. Deutonymphs carried abundant adherent fungal propagules and transferred viable spores to PDA medium, from which the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli, 1835) Vuillemin, 1912 was isolated and identified using multilocus DNA barcoding (ITS, TEF1-alpha, RPB1). The taxonomic identity of the mite was confirmed by morphology and COI sequencing. Laboratory observations showed that deutonymphs successfully moulted to adults in the presence of fungal colonies and interacted closely with mycelium, indicating the use of fungi as a developmental and nutritional resource. Feeding trials further revealed that adults actively attacked and consumed larvae and pupae of I. typographus within 24 hours, leaving only chitinised remains. Together, these results demonstrate that H. arborsignis is not merely a passive phoretic associate of I. typographus, but a multifunctional component of the bark beetle-mite-fungus system, acting simultaneously as a disperser on adult beetles, a carrier of viable entomopathogenic fungal propagules, and an opportunistic predator of susceptible beetle developmental stages. This newly documented association and regional range extension highlight the need to incorporate acarid mites into ecological and applied frameworks of bark beetle dynamics in European spruce forests.
The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the key pests causing important economic losses in crops. From the predatory mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is used effectively in the biological control of pest mites. On the other hand, diatomaceous earths has a significant potential for controlling numerous arthropod pests including pest mites. Synergistic interactions of different biological control agents such as predatory mites and diatomaceous earths can provide significant benefits in more effective biological control of pest mites. This laboratory study investigated the effect of combined and separate application of the predatory mite, P. persimilis and diatomaceous earth in the biological control of T. urticae. This research is the first to demonstrate the synergistic effect of diatomaceous earths on the efficacy of P. persimilis. After 96 hours, the highest mortality, with 73.19 +/- 0.72%, was observed in the combined treatments of P. persimilis and diatomaceous earths. Moreover, significant differences were observed in the fecundity of T. urticae among the test groups. The lowest mean number of eggs per T. urticae female was found in the combined treatment. Simultaneous application of P. persimilis and diatomaceous earths thus turned out to be the most effective treatment against T. urticae. Our laboratory results thus suggest that diatomaceous earth has the potential to enhance the biological control of T. urticae by P. persimilis. Future studies should verify whether these effects translate to greenhouse and field conditions.
