Persian Journal of Acarology
Volume:10 Issue: 4, Autumn 2021

A compilation of halacarid mite species (Halacaridae) found associated withechinoderms(Echinodermata)has been carried out based on published records. In this paper, we listed 20halacarid mite species associated with echinoderms altogether. These 20species belong to 10 genera, viz. Agaue(2 species), Agauopsis(1 species), Copidognathus (5 species), Enterohalacarus(1 species), Halacarellus(4species), Halacaropsis(1 species), Halacarus(2 species), Rhombognathides(2 species), Rhombognathus(1 species)and Thalassarachna (1 species).

This article summarizes knowledge on the species composition of oribatid mites of the Transcarpathian lowlands. In total, 174 species of oribatid mites (97genera and 50families) are recorded from 53 localities and 18 types of biotopes. Ecological and distributional data for each species are specified. The fauna is compared with that of the other areas of the Pannonian lowlands (Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania). Two species, Rhinoppia similifallaxSubías & Mínguez, 1986 and Galumna bimorphaMahunka, 1987 are first recordsfrom Ukraine. Two other species, Cosmochthonius tenuisetus Gordeeva, 1980andCeratozetella maxima (Berlese, 1908) are found for the first time from the Pannonian Plain.

The mite family Ameroseiidae with 138valid speciesis presently classified in the superfamily Ascoidea of the orderMesostigmata. Seventy-twospecieshave been described based on type specimens and no report has been done sincethen, while the other66 specieshave been frequently reported from around theworld. The objective of this study is toprovide information about distribution and habitat of thelatter group, which are listed in twelve genera:Ameroseius(21 species), Kleemannia(15), Neocypholaelaps(8), Epicriopsis(7), Hattenaand Sertitympanum(4each), Ameroseiella(2), Afrocypholaelaps, Asperolaelaps,Brontispalaelaps, PseudoameroseiusandSinoseius(1 each)

The date spider mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus(McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a destructive pest on date palm trees, causing high economic losses. Here, we investigated the relationship between population density of O. afrasiaticusand the extent of its injury level as well as the relation between rate of damage and date yield losses indices on six commercial date cultivars in five date palm growing provinces including Khuzestan (Sayer and Berhee), Hormozgan (Pyarum), Kerman (Mazafati), Bushehr (Kabkab), and Sistan and Baluchestan (Rabi) of Iran. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design with five treatments and three replications.To this end, in each replication, four date clusters were selected from four different geographical directions, in each of them, 25 fruits were checked randomly to unveil the number of healthy and infested fruits. The sampling was repeated at seven-day intervals from late May to early September. Finally, the Norton model was used to estimate the economic injury level (EIL) under both biological and chemical control conditions. The highest value of EILin 2019 was estimated for Sayer in the chemical control method (1827 Mite-day) and the lowest one was estimated for Pyarum in the biological control method (25.5 mite-day). Our results also revealed that the cost of biological control was significantly lower than chemical control. The highest and lowest rate of date injury (symptoms of the pest feeding) were observed on Berheeand Mazafati cultivars, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest rate of date loss were observed on Kabkab and Sayer cultivars, respectively. On the other hand, the cost of chemical control in both years was higher than that of biological control.

The citrus red mite, Panonychus citriMcGregor(Acari: Tetranychidae) whose control is largely based on the use of acaricides, is a key citrus pest in the world. The lethal and sublethal values of cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen were estimated on citrus redmite. LC20and LC50values of cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen were 2.79 and 10.23 ppm, and 2.30 and 7.28 ppm, respectively. LC20concentration effects of cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen were studied on life table parameters of P. citri females. These two acaricides had significant effects on P. citri biological parameters including developmental time, survival rate, and fecundity. Also, the exposure of females to LC20considerably reduced net reproductive rate (R0), finite rate of increase (λ) and intrinsic rate of increase (r). The intrinsic rate of increase in females treated with cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen was 0.156 and 0.153day−1, respectively, and it was 0.183 day−1for untreated females. The sublethalconcentrations affected the citrus red mite life table parameters and consequently may influence the population growth of its future generations. These results provide a baseline for the response of P. citrito cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen pesticides that will aid mite control management in citrus.

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticaeKoch is one of the polyphagous pests that attack a wide range of crops. In recent decades, excessive application of synthetic acaricides has led toitsresistance to pesticidesand environmental pollution. However, considering the importance of the role of pesticides in controlling plant pests, it is impossible to cease using these compounds. In recent decades, new methods such as the use of plant extracts have been proposed that not only control pests but also have no residues and harmful environmental effects. Also, the use of plant extracts in combination with synthetic pesticides while controlling the pest, reduces the amount of pesticide usage. In this study, the efficacy of methanolic extracts of Zataria multifloraand Rosmarinus officinaliswasinvestigated individually and in combination withspirodiclofen and propargite to control two-spotted spider mites. Bioassay tests were performed using the leaf dipping method. Each treatment was performed in three independent biological replications and the mortality was recorded 24 h after exposure. The 50% lethal dose (LC50) of spirodiclofen and propargite as well as methanolic extracts of Z. multifloraand R.officinaliswere estimated to 1.89, 12.76, 1934.13, and 4382.07 mg/l, respectively. In addition, results of experiments related to mixing plant extracts with acaricides showedthat the combination of Z. multifloraextract with spirodiclofen and propargite caused a synergistic effect with a co-toxicity coefficient of 66.66 and 55.55, respectively. However, the combination of R.officinalisextract with spirodiclofen and propargite caused an antagonistic response with −77.78 and −80.56, respectively.

Demodexspp.are ectoparasites that live on mammal's skin.Demodex folliculorumSimon is important in thepathogenesis of blepharitis and other inflammatory skin diseases; however, thein vitroculture has not been achievedyet. In this study, the effect of temperatureand culture medium on the survival ofD. folliculorumwas determined.Adult mites were obtained directly from eyelashes of individuals with a clinical diagnosis ofDemodexblepharitis.Temperature ranges from 15–25°C, and three culture media (RPMI-1640,RPMI-1640 supplemented with humanserum, and RPMI-1640 supplemented with fetal bovine serum) were tested. Results showed significant differences inthe survival time ofD. folliculorumamong different treatments. The maximum survival of mite was 15.20 ± 1.03 dayswith RPMI-1640 supplemented with human serum at 20°C. This result is thelongestreported survival time ofD.folliculorumunderin vitromaintenance conditions. This research presents a refinement of the methods previouslyreported to develop anin vitroculture ofD. folliculorum.