Persian Journal of Acarology
Volume:6 Issue: 2, Spring 2017

Erythraeus (Zaracarus) coleopterus Mortazavi, Hajiqanbar & Saboori, 2012 (Acari: Parasitengona: Erythraeidae) was described based on a single specimen from Kerman province, southeastern Iran, associated with a scarabaeid beetle, Cyphonoxia sp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). This species reports for the second time from stored grain (off host) in Saqqez and Baneh cities, Kurdistan province, western Iran and presents new morphological data. Finding some specimens help us to augment and correct the original description of E. (Z.) coleopterus. A key to world larval species group of Erythraeus (Zaracarus) is presented which is modified and corrected from Mahmoudi et al. (2014).

A study on the oripodoid mites fauna (Oribatida: Oripodoidea) in Miandoab region (West Azerbaijan Province) was carried out during 2015–2016. In this survey, 16 species belonging to three families and five genera are known, of which the species Scheloribates (Scheloribates) labyrinthicus Jeleva, 1962 is recorded for the first time from Iran. An additional description is provided for Scheloribates (S.) labyrinthicus based on specimens collected from the northwest of Iran. Moreover, a checklist of 16 oripodoid mite species of Miandoab region is presented.

Migratory birds are most often responsible for the distribution of avian diseases in different areas and serve as hosts for most parasites, including ectoparasites. The aim of the present study was to record the distribution range of a mesostigmatic mite species, Dermanyssus gallinae in barn swallow nests in Urmia suburb, North West of Iran. The samples were collected from 161 bird nests in 44 villages during 2013–2014. From a total of 161 swallow nests, 61 samples were infested by at least one mite. According to the result, D. gallinae was present in the majority of sampled nests. Since it can be transmitted to the other industrial birds and humans habit through swallows. It is recommended to spray acaricide two times per year before and after nesting in order to reduce mite population with minimum harmful effects of acaricide on the exposed birds.

Hyalomma and Haemaphysalis are two most important genera of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). The rapid and accurate identification of field collected specimens is crucial in faunal works, laboratory assays, anti-tick vaccine experiments, etc. The present study was designed to introduce a rapid and more sensitive method for the differentiation of closely related Hyalomma and Haemaphysalis species namely the pairs Hy. anatolicum-Hy. asiaticum and Ha. punctata-Ha. sulcata, as the main vectors of different animal and human pathogenic agents. Tick specimens were collected from domestic animals in Ardabil, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, and Mazandaran and identified according to the taxonomic keys. DNA was extracted by the Phenol-Chloroform method. Then, PCR was carried out in a single PCR reaction tube using three pairs designed primers (one forward and two reverse) adapted from the internal transcribe spacer 2 (ITS2) and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes for Hyalomma and Haemaphysalis, respectively. In the present study, results of Multiplex-PCR revealed that the pairs Hy. anatolicum-H. asiaticum and Ha. punctata-Ha. sulcata could be well differentiated on gel electrophoresis. Morphological misidentification of Hy. anatolicum-Hy. asiaticum and Ha. punctata-Ha. sulcata could be reduced significantly after using Multiplex-PCR.

Predators may adjust their foraging behavior according to herbivore induced plant volatiles innately or through learning. Here, first we investigated whether the phytoseiid predatory mites, Neoseiulus californicus and N. barkeri were innately able to respond to odors related to Tetranychus urticae infested bean leaves. The naïve predator females were reared on washed T. urticae as prey on filter paper with no experience of SIPV. The olfactory experiments showed that both N. barkeri and N. californicus significantly moved towards T. urticae infested bean leaves rather than clean air. Neoseiulus californicus significant preference of T. urticae infested bean leaves rather than clean tomato (as unfamiliar environment) confirmed the innate response in this species, while N. barkeri could not differentiate the latter odor sources so that its innate response considered weak. In a separate set of experiments, naïve N. californicus females with no preference towards SIPV were experienced by receiving odors related to T. urticae infested bean leaves. The changed response (significant preference) of the experienced individuals showed the predator ability for acquired response. As the predator paired the odor with food absence/presence, associated learning was suggested as the mechanism. No acquired response was recorded for N. barkeri.

Oligonychus afrasiaticus is a major pest of date palm orchards in Iran and Middle East countries. Effects of amitraz, fenpropathrin, fenpyroximate, fenazaquin, propargite), tetradifon, and hexythiazox were evaluated in southern part of Iran. The complete randomized block designed with three replications used on Mordarsang, Kabkab, Barhi, Mazafati, and Halileh major date varieties cultivated in Hormozgan, Bushehr, Khuzestan, Kerman and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces, respectively. Two small date clusters randomly were detached from each replicate and number of spider mite mobile stages were counted on epidermis of 20 date fruits at intervals one day before, 3, 7, 14 and 20 days after treatments. Mean mite densities before treatments found varied from 1.4–69 mites among treatments, provinces and year of studies. Mean mortality analysis variance was found significant (p > 0.01) in all factors. First and last sign of web span around date fruits cluster observed in Khuzestan, and Sistan and Baluchistan in April–May and July–August, respectively. High, medium and weak treatment mortality percentage during 3rd day sampling time in two years recorded for Hormozgan, Kerman, Khuzestan, Bushehr, and Sistan and Baluchistan provinces. Absolute mite pest control obtained at 20th day sampling time during 2nd year in Kerman and imperfection mortality in other places in two years. Date spider mite treated with tetradifon has a half century history in Iran and fenazaquin with low dose (0.3%), caused high mortality rate in most of provinces. Absolute mite controlled (100%) and prolongation effects recorded by water sprayed during 20th day sampling time in the 1st and 2nd year in Hormozgan and Kerman provinces, respectively.

The sugarcane yellow mite, Oligonychus sacchari (McGregor, 1942) is one of the most important pests of sugarcane. In this study, the acaricidal efficacy of four different acaricides including Biomite®, GC-mite®, Oberon® and Envidor® was assessed under laboratory conditions at 28 ± 0.5ºC, 50 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (L:D). Adults of O. sacchari were exposed to treated leaves of sugarcane, CP57-614 variety and the mortality was counted after 24 and 48 h of exposure. Results indicated that for Biomite® the concentration of 1.5 lit/ha and in the case of GC-mite®, 1 lit/ha was more effective against O. sacchari. There were no significant differences between the Oberon® and Envidor® after 24 h of exposure. However, the toxicity of Oberon® increased after 48 h time interval. LC50 values of Biomite®, GC-mite®, Oberon® and Envidor® were 1.01, 0.86, 0.99 and 1.73 lit/ha, respectively. Application of acaricides can be effective tool for the control sugarcane yellow mite and it can be integrated with other control techniques.