In this study, we report the complete mitogenome of Nothrus silvestris Nicolet, 1855 (Acari, Oribatida, Nothridae) sequenced from Illumina sequencing data. The full length of this mitogenome is 14,592 bp with the nucleotide composition A (41.0%), C (22.2%), G (13.1%), and T (23.7%). The N. silvestris mitogenome comprises 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and a non-coding control region. To elucidate the phylogenetic position of N. silvestris, a phylogenetic tree of 77 mite species were analyzed by maximum likelihood (ML) methods. According to phylogenetic analysis based on 13 protein-coding genes of mitogenomes, N. silvestris and Nothrus reticulatus were found the most basal Crotonioidea in the given dataset. This mitogenome not only enriches the genetic information of Nothridae, but also will be useful in the phylogenic and evolutional studies on oribatid mites.

Four new species, Balaustium allomedicagoense sp. nov., Balaustium neomedicagoense sp. nov., Balaustium pseudomedicagoense sp. nov. and Neoabrolophus guizhouensis sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on adults. B. allomedicagoense sp. nov. and N. guizhouensis sp. nov. are from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The genus Balaustium is firstly recorded for the Oriental realm and the genus Neoabrolophus is recorded for the first time from China. B. neomedicagoense sp. nov. collected from the Xizang Zizhiqu (Tibet Autonomous Region), and B. pseudomedicagoense sp. nov. collected from Qinghai Province, where is known as the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, an unique geographical unit with the highest altitude in the world, while B. allomedicagoense sp. nov. from Yunnan Province indicates Balaustium distribution in Oriental realm. A checklist of species of the genus Balaustium is given.

This study aimed to understand the diversity of associated mites in cocoa growing areas in the municipalities of Bragança and Augusto Corrêa, state of Pará, as well as their distribution in rainy and dry periods. A total of 1,178 mites were collected and the most abundant families were Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae, Tuckerellidae, Iolinidae and Cunaxidae, in addition to the unidentified taxa of the suborder Oribatida. The most abundant species were Oligonychus sp. (13.9%), Tuckerella ornata (12.2%), Amblyseius n. sp. 1 (12.1%) and Parapronematus sp. (10.5%). Among the predatory mites, the phytoseiid mites were more abundant and prevalent, with Amblyseius n. sp. 1 and Armascirus amazoniensis standing out. Amblyseius n. sp. 1 showed greater abundance in the rainy season than in the dry season, in both municipalities. Great diversity did note, mainly for predatory mites, while phytophagous mites were more abundant.

Stigmaeopsis (Acari: Tetranychidae) species with social behaviors are difficult to be identified by morphological characteristics. The lack of nucleic acid resources as well as difficulties in sample acquisition have hindered phylogenetic studies and comparative mitochondrial genome analyses. In this study, we sequenced and annotated the mitochondrial genomes of Stigmaeopsis nanjingensis (Ma & Yuan, 1980) and S. continentalis Saito & Lin, 2018 using Illumina platform and homologous structures. The new resources integrated with public representative species under the family Tetranychidae to support the comparative and phylogenetic analysis. We obtained 37 mitochondrial genes from S. nanjingensis and S. continentalis, respectively. In phylogenetic results, all species of family Tetranychidae are well-clustered and divided into three clades. Genes and relative synonymous codon usage showed strong AT bias within Tetranychidae. Atp8 was the most variable gene and cox1 was the most conserved gene among 14 spider mite species verified by nucleotide content and bias, genes pairwise identities and the nucleotide diversities.

Eight feather mite species were collected from five endemic passerine species in Fregate Island, Seychelles. Of them, two species are recorded in the Seychelles for the first time, and five species are described as new for science: Bicentralges zosteropis sp. n. (Trouessartiidae) from the Seychelles white-eye Zosterops modestus (type host) (Zosteropidae) and the Seychelles fody Foudia sechellarum (Ploceidae); Hadrophyllodes seychellensis sp. n. (Proctophyllodidae) from the Seychelles sunbird Cinnyris dussumieri (Nectariniidae); Montesauria sechellarum sp. n. (Proctophyllodidae) from the Seychelles magpie-robin Copsychus sechellarum; M. foudiae sp. n. (Proctophyllodidae) from F. sechellarum; and Mouchetia sechellarum sp. n. (Pteronyssidae) from F. sechellarum. Brief taxonomic comments are provided on corresponding feather mite genera and host-associations of recorded mite species.

This study reports a new species and a new record of Proctolaelaps. Proctolaelaps taiyuanensis sp. nov. was found on the body surface of Dendroctonus valens LeConte (Coleoptera: Scolytinae); Proctolaelaps bickleyi (Bram) was collected from the culture medium of lab-raised Ostrinia furnacalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). An identification key to the species of Proctolaelaps from China is presented.

Strawberry is an important economic crop worldwide, whereas two-spotted spider mites (TSSM, Tetranychus urticae) is the major pest in fruit production. To produce the organic and safe fruits in greenhouses, we selected two strawberry varieties that are most widely planted in northern China with popular taste to study the TSSM control efficiency by two predatory mites of Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus. We comprehensively evaluated the control methods by analyzing TSSM population dynamics, predatory mite numbers, leaf chlorophyll content, fruit weight, sugar content, and the cost of investing in predatory mites. We found that the mite-resistant variety Miaoxiang can largely maintain TSSM at a relative low-density, and N. californicus can provide sufficient control against TSSM during the whole growth season. When TSSM density was high in Suizhu, the combined use of predatory mites led to a substantial reduction of 85.99% in pest numbers, all at reasonable prices. Our fieldwork has demonstrated the crucial importance of pest monitoring and early warning systems in determining the application of biocontrol agents, taking into account factors such as TSSM population size and rate of expansion. These findings strongly suggest that utilizing suitable biocontrol agents represents a promising approach for effectively managing TSSM infestations in greenhouse strawberry production.

Four active postembryonic developmental stages are often present in members of the family Stigmaeidae: the six-legged larva, the eight-legged protonymph, deutonymph, and the adult. This study provides a new description of the tritonymphal stage of Eustigmaeus jiangxiensis Hu, Chen & Huang in the Stigmaeidae. The distinguishing characteristics of the adults and the three nymphal stages are delineated. The occurrence of the tritonymphal stage in the stigmaeids is unusual. This study marks the second occasion, the first being in Stigmaeus elongatus Berlese. In addition, Ledermuelleriopsis giresuniensis Doğan & Ayyıldız is proposed as a junior synonym of Eustigmaeus jiangxiensis Hu, Chen & Huang.

Whitefly Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is widely distributed throughout China and poses a significant economic threat to various crops. Coincidently, it often occurs with other small sucking pests like spider mites Tetranychus urticae Koch (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae). To effectively control small pests, Amblyseius orientalis Ehara (Mesostigmata:Phytoseiidae) is explored as an excellent biocontrol agent for pests management in the field. Multiple prey species can enhance A. orientalis reproduction and thus improve the pest control. Whereas, its effectiveness in controlling both pests under different stress remains uncertain. In this study, we investigated the impacts of two temperatures of 25°C and 33°C on the performances of A. orientalis on the control of T. urticae and B. tabaci. The results revealed that A. orientalis had the longest development period (7.63 days) when fed at 25°C, while the shortest development period (4.55 days) at 33°C. High temperatures and whiteflies prey significantly reduced A. orientalis reproduction. Moreover, thermal stress resulted in decreased longevity of A. orientalis, and individuals fed on T. urticae lived longer compared to those fed on B. tabaci. Hence, this study assessed the pest control efficacy of A. orientalis under two conditions, offering valuable insights for the field application of biological control using A. orientalis.

As the world's most valuable spice, saffron holds significant economic importance in Iran. Rhizoglyphus robini Claparede (Acari: Astigmata: Acaridae) is one of the most critical and damaging pests affecting corm plants globally, including saffron fields in Iran. The repeated use of acaricides has led to the development of resistance in pest populations. Bacterial communities play a crucial role in the various physiological processes of their insect hosts, including the metabolism involved in detoxification. Bioassays against R. robini were performed with two acaricides, abamectin, and propargite, using a filter paper method. Based on the results, the LC₅₀ values of 2.3 and 25 mg a.i./L were estimated for abamectin and propargite, respectively. The impact of antibiotic pretreatment on acaricide toxicity was assessed using six antibiotics: tetracycline, azithromycin, penicillin, cefalexin, cefixime, and streptomycin. The antibiotics (1.5 mL of 100 mg/L) were added to Petri dishes with a layer of filter paper. Mortality was significantly increased in the tetracycline pretreatment group, whereas the other antibiotics showed negligible effects. A bioassay comparing tetracycline pretreatment with a mixture of the other five antibiotics revealed that the antibiotic mixture also significantly enhanced toxicity. Pretreatment with the antibiotic mixture led to a 5.6-fold increase in abamectin toxicity and a 10.2-fold increase in propargite toxicity. To estimate the density of bacterial community in different treatments, total DNA was extracted, and 16S rRNA gene amplification was performed using a general bacterial primer pair. The semi-quantitative PCR results indicated reduced bacterial density in mites treated with tetracycline or an antibiotic mixture compared with the control. Enzymatic assays showed that the activities of detoxification enzymes, including glutathione S-transferases, carboxyl/cholinesterases, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, were significantly reduced in mites pretreated with tetracycline or antibiotic mixture. These findings suggest that bacterial community may influence acaricide metabolism by modulating detoxification enzyme activities in their hosts. This study provides a basis for further research into the mechanisms of symbiont-mediated detoxification in pest management.

The ability of immature predators to consume prey is crucial in determining their potential to reach adulthood and their subsequent predatory and reproductive capabilities. This study aimed to determine the functional responses of different life stages of soil-dwelling predatory mite Blattisocius mali Oudemans (Acari: Mesostigmata) on the mould mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Acari: Acaridae). The larvae of B. mali were exposed to a prey density of 25 eggs. Whereas the protonymphs, deutonymphs, female, and male adults were exposed to varying prey densities ranging from 10 to 160 eggs. The B. mali larvae did not consume the prey (i.e., eggs). The mean number of eggs eaten by B. mali female adults was similar to deutonymphs at a prey density of 160 eggs and protonymphs at a density of 120 eggs. The protonymphs, deutonymphs, female, and male adults exhibited a Type III functional response. Among different life stages, the adult male had longer handling time, i.e., 0.018935 days indicating lower efficiency than the other life stages. Nevertheless, both nymphs and adults showed promise as effective biological control agents of T. putrescentiae.

Three new species of eriophyoid mites from Jilin Province, northeastern China were described and illustrated. They are Leipothrix inconspicuae sp. nov. collected from Viola inconspicua Blume (Violaceae), Leipothrix plantae sp. nov. collected from Hosta plantaginea (Lam.) Asch. (Asparagaceae), and Leipothrix hierae sp. nov. collected from Picris hieracioides L. (Asteraceae). These new species are vagrant on leaves.