The female, male and larva of a new species of ScutacarusGros, 1845 (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Scutacaridae) and male and larva of Petalomium megasolenidiatum Silva, Khaustov & Oliveira, 2018a (Neopygmephoridae) are described. These mites were found associated with Camponotus cingulatusMayr, 1862 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. Biological aspects of the mites living in the ant's nest are discussed.

In a survey of prostigmatic mites associated with insects in southern parts of Iran, a new species of the genus Dolichocybe and four new species of the genus Pavania as associates of the scarab and trogid beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Trogidae) were found: Dolichocybe orzueeyehiensissp. nov. from Adoretus sp., Pavania kermaniensissp. nov. from Aphodius cf. lividus (Olivier), P. magowskiisp. nov. from Trox sp., P. megasolenidiasp. nov. from Aphodius sp., and P. scarabaeophilussp. nov. from Scarabaeus sp. The scarab genus Adoretus is a new host record for mites of the genus Dolichocybe, and the genera Aphodius and Trox are new host records for mites of the genus Pavania.

Cultivating resistant host plants has been considered as an important strategy for sustainable pest management of mites. The current study was conducted to evaluate the response of 43 cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivars against two important tetranychid species, two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch.) and strawberry spider mite (Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov & Nikolski). The experiment was implemented in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCB) with 43 treatments replicated 4 times in a greenhouse during 2015-2016. Two main evaluation criteria, cultivar injury rate (from 1 to 5) and number of eggs/female/day (EFD) on each cultivar, were used to compare responses. The results revealed that the highest number of eggs/female/day (EFD) for both mites was observed on Taha cultivar (9.0±0.40 and 9.5±0.28 for T. urticae and T. turkestani, respectively). The highest injury rate was also observed on this cultivar (4.8±0.26 and 5.0±0.0 for T. urticae and T. turkestani, respectively). In contrast, the lowest EFD number for T. urticae (2.8±0.47) and T. turkestani (2.5±0.28) was seen on Samer star and Davos cultivars, respectively. However, no host preference for egg-laying was observed on Iver and Samer star cultivars for T. turkestani. These two cultivars had the lowest injury level too (1.2±0.25 for Samer star and 1.5±0.28 for Negeen to T. urticae and T. turkestani, respectively). The obtained results demonstrated that Taha was the most susceptible cultivar colonized easily by both two tetranychid species. In contrast, Samer star and Negeen were the most resistant cultivars, strongly recommended for cultivation in greenhouses.

Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer (Trombidiformes; Diptilomiopidae) is one of the important pests of fig trees that is widely distributed in fig orchards located in south-western Iran. The effect of six ambient temperatures (17, 20, 25, 30, 33 and 36°C) on life table parameters of R. ficifoliae was studied under laboratory conditions at 60±5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16: 8 h (L: D) on fig leaves. The life table parameters were estimated according to the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. In addition, the bootstrap technique was used for estimating the variances and standard errors of the population parameters. R. ficifoliae successfully developed and reproduced from 17 to 33°C, but the females reared at 36ºC laid a few eggs and died after several days. The longest and shortest total longevity of females were recorded at 25°C (48.50 days) and 33°C (14.33 days), respectively. The fecundity increased as temperature increased from 11.04 eggs at 17°C to 25.04 eggs at 25°C, then decreased and reached 12.44 eggs at 33°C. The lowest and highest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) were 0.043 and 0.234 day^-1 that obtained at 17 and 30°C, respectively. The mean generation time (T) significantly decreased from 33.39 days to 9.63 days with increasing temperature from 17°C to 33°C. Our findings show that females reared at higher temperatures (>25°C) exhibit greater overall reproduction rates in comparison to lower temperatures.

To date, the feather mite family Ptyssalgidae (Acariformes: Analgoidea) has been known from a single species associated with hummingbirds (Apodiformes: Trochilidae). Here, based on our collecting in Mexico, we describe (i) a new genus and species, Tyrannoptyssalges striatusgen. n., sp. n., from a passerine host Tolmomyias sulphurescens (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) and (ii) four new species of the genus PtyssalgesAtyeo and Gaud, 1979 from hummingbirds (Apodiformes: Trochilidae): Ptyssalges amaziliaesp. n. from Amazilia rutila (Delattre) (type host), A. candida (Bourcier & Mulsant) and A. yucatanensis (Cabot), P. anthracothoracissp. n. from Anthracothorax prevostii (Lesson, R.), P. atyeoisp. n. from Phaethornis longirostris (Delattre), and P. campylopterisp. n. from Campylopterus curvipennis excellens (Wetmore). In addition, we redescribe Ptyssalges major (Trouessart, 1887), the type species of the genus, based on newly collected material from the type host, Eutoxeres aquila, from Panama. Standard morphological descriptions of all mite species are supplemented by CO1 barcoding sequence data. In the genus Ptyssalges, CO1 K2P interspecific genetic distances were 11.39–11.89%, while distances between the single species of Tyrannoptyssalges and species of the genus Ptyssalges were 16.34–17.87%. New, amended diagnoses for the family Ptyssalgidae and the genus Ptyssalges and a key to all known ptyssalgid species are provided. Preliminary hypotheses on the origin and ancestral host associations of ptyssalgids are briefly discussed.

A new eriophyoid mite Unilox lataguriensisgen. nov. et sp. nov. on Ardisia solanacea (Poir.) Roxb. (Primulaceae) is described here from Jalpaiguri district of sub-Himalayan West Bengal, India. The new genus, belongs to the family Diptilomiopidae, subfamily Diptilomiopinae, and is very close to the genus Dialox.

Citrus leprosis, caused by Citrus leprosis virus cytoplasmic type (CiLV-C), is one of the major citrus diseases. Such disease is mainly managed by controlling the vector, which is a mite of the genus Brevipalpus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae). To increase pest control spectrum and reduce costs, citrus growers often prefer to tank mix pesticides. However, the effect of pesticide combinations made up of insecticides and acaricides is little known yet. Therefore, our goal was to evaluate the physicochemical compatibility of spray mixtures with acaricides (spirodiclofen, propargite, and cyflumetofen) and the most commonly used insecticides in citrus orchards, as well as to evaluate their biological effect on Brevipalpus yothersi (Baker). Mixing insecticides with the acaricides such as spirodiclofen, propargite, and cyflumetofen had no interfere with the physicochemical stability of tank mixtures. However, the combination of imidacloprid, bifenthrin, cypermethrin, and phosmet with spirodiclofen reduced acaricide control efficiency in 20.9%, 18.9%, 9.7%, and 21.9%, respectively. These mixtures are not recommended for B. yothersi control.

Three new mite species of TrachygamasusBerlese, 1906, T. hyalinus Yao, Jin & Zhang sp. nov., T. multisetus Yao, Jin & Zhang sp. nov. and T. psuedogerdi Yao, Jin & Zhang sp. nov., are described from southern China. A key to world species of the genus is provided.

DNA-barcodes reveal that European populations attributed to Hygrobates longipalpis (Hermann, 1804), thus far considered a common inhabitant of standing and slowly flowing running waters all over the Western Palaearctic, represent two distinct lineages, both widely distributed over the continent. They are differentiated also from an ecological point of view, with specimens from standing waters (“clade I”) separated from specimens collected in slowly running waters (“clade II”). Morphological examination revealed that, based on the length ratio of proximo- and distomedial setae on terminal segments of fourth legs, two morphospecies correspond to these two clades. As molecular examination of a specimen from the type locality of H. prosiliensKoenike, 1915 (Bremen, Heiligenrode) shows that it belongs to “clade I”, populations from standing waters are attributed to that species. In view of the sketchy original description, loss of holotype and insufficient locality data of H. longipalpis, we arbitrarily assign to it stream-dwelling populations of “clade II” and designate a neotype.

Estimating sublethal effects of acaricides on phytoseiid mites and their prey as a reliable approach in predicting the acaricides impacts is mandatory for IPM programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of spiromesifen on life history traits and demographic parameters of the offspring of Neoseiulus californicus and Tetranychus urticae under laboratory conditions [25 ± 2°C, 70 ± 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h]. The experiments were conducted based on the leaf-dip technique. The crude data were analysed based on age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. The pre-adult and adult longevity of both sexes significantly reduced for N. califonicus and T. urticae with the concentration enhancing from LC₂₀ to LC₃₅. In addition, the oviposition period for both species significantly decreased as a consequence of treatment with LC₂₅ and LC₃₅ of spiromesifen. The minimal values of the total fecundity for N. califonicus and T. urticae were 16.58 and 19.35 (offspring/individual), respectively, which was related to LC₃₅ concentration. Further, the lowest values of R₀ and GRR of N. califonicus and its prey were 48.88 and 31.14 (offspring/individual) in LC₃₅, respectively. However, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were not significantly influenced by sublethal concentration in N. californicus while the r and λ were significantly reduced in T. urticae treated by LC₂₀, LC₂₅ and LC₃₅. Therefore, spiromesifen could profoundly decrease the population growth rate of T. urticae but can not be considered as a compatible acaricide with N. califonicus because of its negative effect on the longevity, total lifespan, and reproductive periods and should not be used with this predatory mite in integrated pest management programs.

The formation of physogastry of the mushroom mite Dolichocybe perniciosa (Acari: Prostigmata: Dolichocybidae) has not been well understood. The shape and size of this mite vary dramatically. To evaluate the effects of environmental factors on the formation of physogastry we tested eight species of edible fungi hyphae, five temperatures and five humidity levels on the shape and size of physogastry. Dolichocybe perniciosa only fed on six species of edible fungi, Agaricus bisporus, Auricularia auricula-judae, Auricularia polytricha, Flammulina velutipes, Ganoderma lucidum and Lentinula edodes but failed to develop on the hyphae of Pleurotus geesteranus and Pleurotus eryngii. However, the six species of edible fungi had different effects on the formation and development of physogastry in D. perniciosa. The suitable temperature for the physogastric formation was from 18°C to 28°C at 75±5% RH, and the suitable humidity was from 22% to 92% at 25°C. The width of physogastries was less than 0.85 mm at five temperatures. The majority of physogastries were oblong or cylindrical under ideal temperature (25°C), but globular at a low temperature (13°C). The largest length and the highest length/width ratio were recorded at 25°C. The length and width of the physogastry were less than 4.0 mm and 0.8 mm, respectively, under tested humidity levels. The highest length/width ratio was 8.19 at 65% RH.

A new species, Phytoscutus moraesi n. sp., is described based on specimens collected on Arecaceae plants, in Amazonas state, Brazil. Phytoscutus moraesi n. sp. is included in the sexpilis species group Chant & McMurtry, which is herein redefined to accommodate this new species. A key is provided for the world species of Phytoscutus.

Two new species of Pseudopygmephorellus Khaustov, 2008 (Acari: Prostigmata: Pygmephoridae) are described: P. orientalissp. nov., collected on Rhyparus breviceps in Papua New Guinea and R. sumatrensis in Sumatra, Indonesia; and P. ovalisetussp. nov., collected on R. breviceps in Papua New Guinea. A key to world species of Pseudopygmephorellus is provided.

Supplementary morphological descriptions of five Cecidophyopsis species collected in Europe (Serbia, Austria, Italy and Montenegro) are given: Cecidophyopsis vermiformis from Corylus avellana L. (Betulaceae), C. hendersoni from Yucca gigantea Lem. (Asparagaceae), C. verilicis from Ilex aquifolium L. (Aquifoliaceae), C. psilaspis from Taxus baccata L. (Taxaceae) and C. malpighianus from Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae). Males of C. vermiformis, C. verilicis, C. hendersoni and C. malpighianus, and immatures of C. hendersoni and C. verilicis, are described for the first time. C. verilicis is recorded for the first time in the fauna of Serbia and the European region. Female cuticle-lined internal genitalia of five Cecidophyopsis species are studied under confocal laser scanning microscopy. A several steps of oviposition in cecidophyines is proposed based on CLSM observations on their internal genitalia. Sequences of the barcoding region of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) gene are given for the following species: C. hendersoni, C. verilicis, C. psilaspis and C. malpighianus.