This study was conducted to reveal the toxicity of sulfoxaflor and the four modern fungicides (ametoctradin +dimethomorph, isopyrazam, mandipropamid and propamocarb-HCl+fluopicolide) on various developmental stages of a non-target predatory mite, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The maximum recommended concentrations of the pesticides were applied to eggs, larvae and adult females of the predator in order to obtain detail knowledge of their toxicity at worst-case scenario under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that mortality rates vary between the life stages and the larva was the most sensitive. The highest egg mortality was found for isopyrazam (20.44%) followed by propamocarb+fluopicolide (17.55%) and ametoctradin+dimethomorph (15.77%) at 72 h after the treatments. Sulfoxaflor, ametoctradin+dimethomorph and propamocarb+fluopicolide were proven to be harmful to the larvae as they caused significantly higher mortality than the control, and their mortality reached 80.00, 77.50 and 60.00% at 168 h after treatment, respectively. In the case of adult females, respective mortality rates of propamocarb+fluopicolide, sulfoxaflor, ametoctradin+dimethomorph and isopyrazam were found 30.00%, 25.83%, 21.66% and 16.66% after 120 h after treatment, respectively. In addition, mandipropamid and sulfoxaflor caused a drastic decrease in fecundity of the predator. Accordingly, isopyrazam may be compatible with A. swirskii in intergraded pest management programs where it is released as biological control agent. Due to their high toxicity to at least one developmental stage of the predator, further experiments are needed in order to clarify the toxicity of the other pesticides under field or semi-field conditions.

Eriophyoidea is a well-known mite taxon of economic importance. Due to their small size, elucidating many of their bio-ecological aspects becomes a challenge. These mites are obligatory plant feeders, with high host specificity and vagrant (free living) and non-vagrant (part or whole life cycle in a host) lifestyles. The mobility (distance walked - mm, resting time - s, and number of stops) of these mites on host and non-host plant species has been investigated. Eriophyoid species were submitted to walking tests on host and non-host plants using five vagrant species and five non-vagrant species. The walking was recorded with video tracking (ViewPoint) for ten minutes. Twenty replicates were performed for each treatment (eriophyoid species and plant). There was a difference in the behavioral response of the species studied in relation to the hosts. When the species were grouped by ecological lifestyle (vagrant and non-vagrant), non-vagrant eriophyoids presented a higher mobility (higher distance walked, less resting time) than vagrant eriophyoids on their respective hosts. There was no difference in the mobility of vagrant and non-vagrant species on non-host plants. The absence of a pattern of behavioral response among the species tested here indicates that more factors are involved in the host identification and acceptance process.

The biogeography of organisms, particularly those with complex lifestyles that can affect dispersal ability, has been a focus of study for many decades. Most Hydrachnidia, commonly known as water mites, have a parasitic larval stage during which dispersal is predominantly host-mediated, suggesting that these water mites may have a wider distribution than non-parasitic species. However, does this actually occur? To address this question, we compiled and compared the geographic distribution of water mite species that have a parasitic larval stage with those that have lost it. We performed a bootstrap resampling analysis to compare the empirical distribution functions derived from both the complete dataset and one excluding the extreme values at each distribution tail. The results show differing distribution patterns between water mites with and without parasitic larval stages. However, contrary to expectation, they show that a wider geographic distribution is observed for a greater proportion of the species with a non-parasitic larval stage, suggesting a relevant role for non-host-mediated mechanisms of dispersal in water mites.

Conspecific males often disturb copulating mites, thus interrupting the mating and a subsequent mating may occur. However, in natural populations of Tetranychus urticae, virgin or sperm-depleted females exist (3.2% of the females in a population) and a second mating may occur when these females are placed with males of unknown age. How does multiple mating benefit the fitness of T. urticae females? To answer this question and to establish the success of re-mating, we investigated the effects of mating interruption at various time intervals after the start on the validity of fertilization. Female offspring ratios were significantly lower if mating was interrupted at 30, 60 or 90 s, compared with complete (undisturbed) mating. Females accepted the second mating if they could not obtain sufficient sperm from the first mating owing to interruption. The success of the second mating and priority of the second male's sperm depended on how soon the interruption of the first mating occurred. Proportion of females produced female offspring of the second males when mated at 6 days after the first mating was fewer than those when mated just after the first mating. To know the effect of males of unknown age, of which some were assumed to be sperm-depleted, we used them as the first mating partner and then used virgin males as the second mating partner. Three females (6.4%, n = 47) who mated with males of unknown age at the first mating, produced female offspring of the second males, but no females produced female offspring of the second males when mated with virgin males at the first mating. These findings indicate that sperm depletion, caused by mating interruption or paternal age in the first mating, might indeed affect the fertilizing ability.

The European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) is a dominant tree species in European forests and it has a huge ecological significance and high economic value. Due to its large dimensions, it can produce large amounts of decayed wood (CWD) which may be critical for maintaining the population of many rare species including mites. Many studies focused on mite (Mesostigmata) abundance, species richness, or diversity in CWD, however, our knowledge on mite biomass is still scarce. Therefore, the main aim of that study was to recognize the Mesostigmata biomass in logs and adjacent soil. In total, 90 samples (125 cm³, 5 cm depth) were collected from European beech logs and soil with litter thickness. Soil samples were collected from ecotone zone (soil near the log) and further three distances—0.5 m, 1.0 m, 1.5 m away from the log. Body length and width were measured for each individual of rare species and in the case of common species at least for 10 individuals. Our study revealed the highest mite biomass in CWD and soil near to the log (ecotone). Total male biomass was the highest in CWD and differed significantly from all other soil microhabitats. Female biomass did not differ between soil and CWD, whereas deutonymphs biomass differed between CWD and soil 1.0 m away from the log. Mean abundance, species richness, and diversity did not differ between the microhabitats. Decaying logs were dominated by Janietella pulchella whereas soil by Veigaia nemorensis. In conclusion, decayed European beech logs maintain the highest male and deutonymph biomass when compared to adjacent soil. Beech logs are important microhabitats for Mesostigmata mite communities, where they reached the highest abundance.

New records of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from the standing waters of Sri Lanka are presented. Fifteen species have been registrated, among them four species, i.e. Piona srilankana (Pionidae), Neumania edytae (Unionicolidae), Krendowskia (Krendowskiella) srilankana (Krendowskiidae), and Mideopsis ewelinae (Mideopsidae) are described as new to science. DNA was extracted from 18 water mite specimens and DNA barcodes are given for the first time for nine species.

The rickettsiae (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) are obligate intracellular and Gram-negative bacteria. They depend on arthropod vectors as well as the mammalian hosts for survival in the nature. 327 soft tick specimens associated the aviary were collected in Khorramabad county of Lorestan province, western Iran. Ticks were identified as Argas persicus according to a taxonomical key. Then, 64 tick specimens were analyzed for the presence of rickettsial DNA. Out of 64 specimens, 6 of them were positive and totally three DNA sequences including a single sequence of each ompA, ompB and sca4 genes was obtained from A. persicus ticks. Rickettsia hoogstraalii was detected in Ar. persicus representing the first record of this species in Iran. Sca4 gene fragment was unable to specify rickettsial infection in Ar. persicus ticks according to BLAST analysis.

Viticulture is an activity of economic importance in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, especially in Serra Gaúcha, which is the major grape-producing region. However, an increase in cultivated areas has been observed in other municipalities in the state. The aim of this study is to characterize mite diversity and community behavior on different varieties, recognizing which predatory species have potential to control phytophagous mites associated with Europan varieties in the Taquari Valley, Rio Grande do Sul state. The study was conducted in vineyards located in the municipalities of Marques de Souza: ‘BRS Vitória' and cv ‘Itália' “m”; Imigrante: cv ‘Itália' “i”; Dois Lajeados: cv ‘Itália' (c and f), ‘Tannat' and ‘Chardonnay'; and Putinga: ‘Champanhe' and ‘Moscato'. Samplings were carried out monthly in the period ranging from March 2017 to March 2018, during which twenty plants were randomly collected from each variety. Three leaves were clipped from each plant; one from the apical third, one from the median third, and one from the basal third, totaling 60 leaves per area. A total of 10,533 specimens were collected, belonging to 12 families, 38 genera, and 53 species, along with those belonging to the suborder Oribatida. The ‘Itália' “c” variety had the highest abundance (2,012), followed by ‘Moscato' (1,788) and ‘BRS Vitória' (1,593). Phytoseiidae had the highest diversity among the mite families observed, with 20 species followed by Tetranychidae (8). The most abundant species were Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (3,420) and Euseius concordis (Chant) (565), present throughout the study period. ‘Chardonnay' variety had the highest similarity (72.55%) among mite fauna compositions and the highest dissimilarity occurred between ‘BRS Vitória' and ‘Champanhe’ varieties (95.48%). Environments evaluated in Dois Lajeados and Putinga were the most homogeneous concerning mite fauna diversity and abundance.

A new species viz. Cryptognathus karabagiensissp. nov., collected from soil and litter under Spartium junceum (Fabaceae), Cedrus libani (Pinaceae), Vitis vinifera (Vitaceae) and Pistacia terebinthus (Anacardiaceae) in Afyonkarahisar, Manisa and Muğla provinces (the Aegaen region of Turkey), is described and illustrated based on adult females. Also, an updated key to all known species of the genus Cryptognathus is presented.

Oligonychus punicae has potential for development in several species of eucalyptus. In this study was evaluated the preference for permanence and oviposition of O. punicae in different eucalyptus species. Additionally, we evaluated its dynamics and population distribution, as well as injuries in strains of Eucalyptus urophylla in a clonal minigarden. The preference for permanence and oviposition of O. punicae was evaluated using a test with and without choice in six species of Eucalyptus. We also analyzed the dynamics, population distribution and injury levels by O. punicae on E. urophylla in a clonal minigarden. We collected samples for 24 months and counted the number of eggs, immature and adult individuals. We calculated the Morisita dispersion index. We estimated injuries on leaves of E. urophylla using visual notes. In the test with choice, Eucalyptus urophylla was the preferred host of O. punicae for permanence and oviposition. In the test without choice, the oviposition of O. punicae in eucalyptus species did not differ statistically until 24 hours of evaluation. However, there was a significant difference after 48 hours, with greater oviposition on Eucalyptus brassiana, Eucalyptus tereticornis and Eucalyptus grandis. In the population survey, we collected 3,293 mites. The population peak of O. punicae occurred in March and April 2018 and April 2019. Oligonychus punicae presented an aggregate distribution and caused injuries of 20% on average in leaves. These results are important to guide management strategies in specific infestation foci and optimizing the use of phytosanitary products.

Starvation is defined as a failure to ingest and digest food under some extrinsic limitation. Starvation could induce some behavioral consequences, such as searching, movement, parasitism efficiency of arthropods. In this study, we evaluated the hunger tolerance and movement rates of Pyemotes zhonghuajia (Trombidiformes: Pyemotidae) on corn and sorghum leaves, and observed the time of P. zhonghuajia biting Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the lethal efficiency of P. zhonghuajia on S. frugiperda under different starvation periods (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h). The results showed that without host the survival rates of P. zhonghuajia were significantly reduced over the 96 h. Starvation significantly increased the movement rates of P. zhonghuajia on the sorghum and corn leaves with the starvation periods increasing from 6 to 24 h. When starved for 12 h, P. zhonghuajia significantly reduced the time spent biting S. frugiperda. Proper hunger in P. zhonghuajia caused a 100% mortality rate in S. frugiperda within 2 hours, while a 96-h starved P. zhonghuajia parasited S. frugiperda for 16 hours to achieve a 100% mortality rate. In conclusion, a shorter period of starvation (24 h) improved the movement rates and lethal efficiency of P. zhonghuajia against S. frugiperda, and ultimately enhanced the biological control efficiency.

The bacterial communities of arthropods play important roles in the growth and development of their hosts, such as by providing nutrition or protecting against parasites and pathogens. However, for Tetranychus truncatus, a major crop pest, very little is known about its bacterial community. To understand the effects of the bacterial community in T. truncatus, mites were fed bean leaves that had been soaked in different concentrations of tetracycline hydrochloride (5 mg to 5 g per L). Antibiotic treatment had a negative impact on the fitness of T. truncatus, decreasing its fecundity and longevity. However, we could not exclude the possibility that the decrease in fecundity was due to a toxic effect of the antibiotic. 16S rRNA genes analyses showed that the antibiotic treatment did not significantly affect the diversity of bacterial species, but it did significantly change their relative abundances. Furthermore, predicted functions of microbiota were also changed with antibiotic treatment and the most abundant genes were related to metabolism. Our research revealed that the antibiotic induced change of bacterial communities mostly decreased the fecundity of T. truncatus, although we couldn't totally exclude the direct toxin of antibiotics on spider mites.

The oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a notorious migratory pest of cereal crops. Pyemotes zhonghuajia Yu, Zhang & He (Prostigmata: Pyemotidae) is an ectoparasitic mite with great potential in controlling many species of Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Homoptera. To evaluate the control efficiency of P. zhonghuajia on M. separata, we tested how initial density (1, 5, 10, or 20 mites) of P. zhonghuajia affected the mortality of oriental armyworm and the number of P. zhonghuajia fed upon individual hosts, and also determined the diameter growth of the opisthosoma and reproduction of P. zhonghuajia at different life stages of M. separata. Our results show that differing densities of P. zhonghuajia could significantly affect the mortality rate of different life stages of M. separata and the recruitment number of P. zhonghuajia on hosts, and there were significant differences in the development and reproduction parameters of P. zhonghuajia on different immature stages of M. separata. A single P. zhonghuajia could cause at least a 50% mortality rate of M. separata first to third instar larvae within 48 h. At higher density of 20 P. zhonghuajia, 100% of first to fourth and 30% of fifth instar larvae of M. separata were killed within 24 h. All prepupae and pupae of M. separata died when they were exposed to 10 and 20 P. zhonghuajia, respectively. In addition, density of P. zhonghuajia significantly influenced their adult recruitment of the body surface of M. separata. Pyemotes zhonghuajia could only complete development and reproduction on M. separata eggs, prepupae and pupae. However, the longevity, opisthosoma size and fecundity of P. zhonghuajia paralyzed on prepupae and pupae were significantly higher than those on eggs. In conclusion, P. zhonghuajia might be a suitable biological control agent against the oriental armyworm, and M. separata prepupae and pupae may be used as alternative prey for the mass rearing of P. zhonghuajia.

Mitochondrial (mt) genomes of astigmatid mites typically contain 37 genes for 13 proteins, two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. However, two Tyrophagus mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae and T. longior) were reported as having lost three tRNAs in their mt genomes. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of Tyrophagus fanetzhangorum (14,257 bp) and found typical set of mt tRNA genes (22 tRNAs). The gene arrangement of T. fanetzhangorum is consistent with the pattern of possible common ancestor of astigmatid mites. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. Phylogenetic analysis shows that T. fanetzhangorum is more closely related to T. putrescentiae than to T. longior within the genus Tyrophagus.

Water mites of the Hygrobates fluviatilis-complex are often the most ubiquitous and usually the most abundant water mite group in the running waters of the Palaearctic and Balkans. In the present study we used an integrative taxonomic approach by applying partial COI sequences (DNA-barcodes) to describe two new species of the fluviatilis-complex from the Balkan Peninsula, H. balcanicus Pešić sp. nov. (Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Greece) and H. mediterraneus Pešić sp. nov. (Montenegro). Phylogenetic analysis based on COI data placed H. balcanicussp. nov. as the sister species of the clade grouping H. turcicusPešić, Esen & Dabert, 2017 and H. ulii Pešić et al. 2019 whereas H. mediterraneussp. nov. is placed as the sister species of H. grabowskii Pešić et al. 2019, with about 20% and 13% K2P divergence, respectively, between the closest relatives.