Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract Date palm pollen has received considerable attention among various pollen types due to its high nutritional value, availability, and positive effects on predator performance. However, the nutritional quality of date palm pollen can vary significantly depending on its geographical origin. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of geographical variation in date palm pollen quality on the biological performance of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot. Pollen samples were collected from the same date palm cultivar (Mazafati) at four locations in southern Iran: Bam and Jiroft (Kerman Province) and Rodan and Hajiabad (Hormozgan Province). The shortest pre-adult development was observed on Rodan pollen (6.38 days), and the longest times were observed on pollen from Jiroft (7.71 days) and Bam (7.69 days). Fecundity was significantly higher in individuals fed Rodan pollen (40.62 eggs/female) than those fed other pollens. The highest pre-adult mortality occurred in individuals reared on Bam pollen, followed by Jiroft pollen. The highest intrinsic (r) and finite (λ) rates of increase were obtained on Rodan pollen (0.181 and 1.199 day-1, respectively), while the lowest values were recorded on Bam pollen (0.117 and 1.124 day-1, respectively). Similarly, Rodan pollen exhibited the highest net (R0) and gross (GRR) reproductive rates, while the lowest values were observed on Bam and Jiroft pollens. Rodan pollen had the shortest mean generation time (T) (16.45 days). Rodan pollen also had the highest protein content (43.18%), showing a significant difference compared to the other pollens. Our findings demonstrate that geographical origins of the date palm can directly affect its pollen quality and indirectly affect the biological performance of the predatory mite.

Abstract The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae) is one of the main pests of apple trees worldwide. The main purpose of this research was to study the repellent and lethal effect of Heracleum persicum Desf. and Trachyspermum ammi L. essential oils (EOS) on the European red mite. The EOS of H. persicum and T. ammi were extracted using a Clevenger device and by water distillation method. The mortality of the mites was evaluated after 24 hours and the lethality of each EO was calculated in contact and fumigant toxicity in an incubator at 26 ± 2 °C temperature, 16:8 h L:D, and 50 ± 5% RH. It was found that the LC50 values of EOS of H. persicum and T. ammi were 343.91 and 311.74 µL l-1 for contact toxicity, and 2.54 and 2.85 µL l-1 air for fumigant toxicity, respectively. With increasing the concentration of EOS, the death rate of mites was increased. Three different concentrations of the EOS from H. persicum and T. ammi were tested for their repellent effects on the European red mite. Results of the present study revealed, that the repellency rate increased with increasing concentration, meanwhile, the T. ammi EO had the highest repellency among the concentrations.

Abstract Sustainable restoration of eutrophic lakes remains a vital challenge, with probiotic bioremediation providing a non-invasive alternative to conventional chemical approaches. This study assesses the effectiveness of Effective Microorganisms (EM) technology in restoring Lake Jeziorko (Poland), using water mites (Hydrachnidia) as sensitive bioindicators of habitat change. During the monitoring period lasting a total of 35 months (samples were taken each time in July for three years) across littoral and profundal zones, collecting 9,739 water mite individuals from 38 species. Bathymetric analysis confirmed a decrease in bottom sediment thickness, which probably triggered a clear response in benthic fauna. Although the initial year showed a lake-wide increase in species richness, long-term trends reveal a split: littoral communities declined due to external nutrient inputs and cyanobacterial blooms, while profundal communities (dominated by typical lake taxa such as Neumania limosa and Piona stjordalensis) remained stable and showed signs of improved sediment oxygenation. These findings indicate that while probiotic bioremediation effectively conditions deep-water habitats and reduces sediment volume, it is not sufficient alone to counter external eutrophication pressures. Additionally, these studies indicate that profundal aquatic mite communities show a clear improvement in profundal conditions, while littoral water mites indicate that the ecological situation did not improve permanently.

Abstract The coffee red mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Nietner), is a pest of major agricultural importance in tropical regions. This study evaluated the in vitro effect of two host plants, coffee (Coffea arabica) and Andean alder (Alnus acuminata), on the biological cycle and population parameters of O. coffeae under controlled conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 5 % RH, and a 16:8 h photoperiod). In addition, the acaricidal activity of ethanolic extracts of coffee and alder at concentrations of 5, 10, and 20% (w/v) was assessed using a leaf-dip bioassay, with mortality recorded at 24, 48, and 72 h and compared with a synthetic acaricide (propargite). The development of O. coffeae was significantly faster on coffee leaves (13.8 days) than on alder (16.2 days); however, fecundity and adult longevity were higher on alder, reaching 59.9 eggs per female. Population parameters were significantly higher on alder (rₘ = 0.254 day−¹; R0 = 52.4 female eggs/female), indicating a greater population growth potential on this host. The ethanolic extracts exhibited dose- and time-dependent acaricidal activity; at 72 h, the 20% concentration caused mortalities of 91.2% on coffee and 89.3% on alder, comparable to propargite. These results indicate that both host plants favor the development of O. coffeae and that their ethanolic extracts represent promising alternatives for the integrated management of this pest.

Abstract The yellow date palm mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor), commonly known as “Boufaroua” in North Africa, is one of the most destructive pests affecting date palm production in the Ziban region of southeastern Algeria. Despite its economic importance, limited information is available on the ecological role of spontaneous weed flora in maintaining mite populations and facilitating seasonal infestations of date palms. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify weed species that may serve as alternative hosts of O. afrasiaticus, to determine their contribution to the seasonal persistence of the mite, and to evaluate how seasonal plant phenology and spatial variation among palm groves influence infestation dynamics. A six-month field survey was conducted from February to July 2021 in seven representative palm groves of the Ziban oases. The occurrence of O. afrasiaticus was monitored on date palms and associated weed species in relation to seasonal dynamics and spatial variation among sites. The mite was detected in all surveyed groves, with infestation intensity varying according to microclimatic conditions and grove management practices. Among date palm cultivars, Deglet Nour exhibited the highest susceptibility. A total of 76 weed species were recorded, of which five species (Cynodon dactylon, Daucus carota, Aster squamatus, Kochia scoparia, and Salsola tetragona) were confirmed as alternative hosts capable of sustaining mite populations. Infestation patterns showed a clear seasonal progression, with early establishment on herbaceous weeds during spring followed by a shift toward date palms under hot and dry summer conditions. These findings demonstrate that weed communities play a significant ecological role in the persistence and spread of O. afrasiaticus within oasis agroecosystems and highlight the importance of integrating targeted weed management into integrated pest management strategies for sustainable date palm protection.

Abstract One new species of eriophyoid mites Disella jasminae sp. nov. from Jasminum officinale L. (family Oleaceae) was described and illustrated from New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal, India. The new mite species was found to be vagrant on the surface of the leaves without causing visible damage.

Abstract The phytoseiid mite Flagroseius euflagellatus (Karg) is redescribed based on female and male specimens collected on Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. in Cat Tien National Park, Southern Vietnam, representing the first record of the species from the country. Previous descriptions are incomplete and contain inaccuracies in leg chaetotaxy and cheliceral dentition. We provide a comprehensive redescription with detailed illustrations and measurements of both sexes, and documenting previously overlooked morphological structures, including the complete setation patterns of all leg segments.

Abstract The application of non-chemical disinfestation treatment for managing the Tetranychus urticae mite pest was investigated in the laboratory. Gamma-ray irradiation at 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 Gy was applied to eggs, immature stages, and adults of T. urticae on guava leaves (Psidium guajava). Irradiation of eggs resulted in failed hatchability, eggs′ viability at 100 and 200 Gy was partially reduced and was highly suppressed (7.59%) at 400 Gy. The effect of gamma radiation on mite biological parameters was analyzed using ANOVA. Gamma rays at 300 and 400 Gy caused growth retardation in irradiated nymphs and delayed the emergence of the subsequent developmental stage; this growth delay is likely a physiological response to cellular damage. Mites may redirect energy from rapid development toward DNA repair mechanisms. The longevity of irradiated females was substantially shortened (p < 0.05) by increasing radiation dose rates. At lower doses, the total number of eggs deposited by treated females was greatly decreased, and at 400 Gy, it was highly suppressed. Mites exposed to 300–400 Gy resulted in a significant reduction in fecundity (p < 0.05). When irradiated males and unirradiated females mated, the majority of the resulting progeny (F1 adults) were males. Based on the results, irradiation with a dose of 400 Gy can be an effective sterilization treatment for T. urticae on guava leaves. Our study explored gamma rays as an environmentally friendly technique for controlling two-spotted spider mites. A sterilization dose of 400 Gy, derived from our laboratory study, can be applied subsequently to adult males (T. urticae) on guava leaves. These sterilized males can then be released into the field to mate with wild females, thereby reducing pest populations over time. This method could use gamma rays for field-level pest control.

Abstract The sublethal effects of fenpropathrin on the oxalis spider mite, Tetranychina harti (Tetranychidae) were investigated. The results showed that, relative to the control group, sublethal doses of fenpropathrin significantly shortened the developmental duration of immature offspring in the LC15 group (P < 0.05) but significantly prolonged it in the LC30 group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, these sublethal exposures shortened the pre-oviposition period while prolonging the oviposition period of F1 female adult mites. Notably, a significant reduction in mean fecundity per female was observed only in the LC15 group compared to the control (P < 0.05). The cumulative survival rate curves and age-specific fecundity curves indicated that sublethal concentrations (LC15 and LC30) of fenpropathrin did not exert a clearly adverse effect on the survival or fecundity of Tetranychina harti. Both treatment groups exhibited higher net reproductive rates (R0) than the control. Similarly, the intrinsic rates of increase (rₘ) in the LC15 and LC30 groups exceeded that of the control, and the finite rates of increase (λ) in both treatment groups were also higher. In addition, the population doubling time (DT) was shorter in the treatment groups than in the control. These findings suggest that sublethal exposure to fenpropathrin may compromise its efficacy in controlling this mite population.