Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract Accurate detection and identification of damaging factors are key requirements for their effective management and control. Conventional methods for detecting these pests in plants require continuous monitoring, which is a costly and time-consuming process on farms and is accompanied by unavoidable human errors. Therefore, it is necessary to use modern technologies to help farmers automatically and promptly identify key pests. In this study, a convolutional neural network with Inception_v3 architecture was used to automatically detect damage symptoms in tomato plants. A Sony DSC-WX200 camera with an effective sensor resolution of 18 megapixels was used to collect images of the symptoms caused by the pests. To evaluate the performance of the convolutional neural network with Inception_v3 architecture, the parameters of average precision, precision, and recall were used. The results showed the accuracy of the Inceptionv3 architecture in identifying the symptoms of T. urticae (99.47%), H. armigera (99.18%), and calcium deficiency (99.77%). The results indicate that our proposed system, which uses recorded images, can provide an efficient and accurate solution for identifying damaging factors in tomato plants.

Abstract The phytophagous mite viz., Tetranychus urticae Koch has increasingly developed resistance against 558 acaricides worldwide and threatens crop yield in key agricultural regions, affecting economically important crops such as tomato, strawberry, and citrus which leads to more reliance on chemical control. Hence, global acaricide usage records high levels in mite management. This resistance arises from various mechanisms, including genetic mutations, reduced acaricide uptake, and enhanced detoxification. Such resistance reduces the effectiveness of chemical control and necessitates alternative strategies. This review summarizes current resistant management strategies for phytophagous mites, focusing on both conventional and innovative approaches. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies emphasize the importance of integrating chemical, biological, and cultural control methods to slow down the development of resistance. Secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms, plants, and fungi offer promising natural solutions for controlling mite populations, with a broad spectrum of action. These compounds help to delay resistance by reducing reliance on chemical treatments while maintaining effective mite control. Also, natural biological control agents, such as insect predators, predatory mites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses have shown good potential for pest control. Additionally, plant-derived compounds provide an eco-friendly alternative, with multi-target effects on mite physiology. Advanced strategies, such as oligonucleotide acaricides, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and RNA interference, have demonstrated promising results in laboratory studies for combating acaricide resistance, although their practical success and widespread application in field conditions remain under investigation. These strategies offer concrete opportunities to significantly reduce chemical pesticide reliance, effectively mitigate acaricide resistance, and enhance the sustainability and resilience of global crop production systems, thereby contributing to safer and more environmentally responsible agricultural practices.

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 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 lethal and sub-lethal effects of Salvia officinalis and S. rosmarinus essential oils (EO_S) on the European red mite. It was found that the LC₅₀ values of EO_S of S. officinalis and S. rosmarinus were 581.95 and 460.67 µL l⁻¹ for contact toxicity, and 3.40 and 4.03 µL l⁻¹ air, for fumigant toxicity respectively. With increasing the concentration of EO_S, the death rate of mites was increased. To study the lethality of S. officinalis and S. rosmarinus EO_S on the European red mite, concentrations of the LC₂₅ values of the mentioned EO_S were 443.32 and 273.48 µL l⁻¹, respectively. The net reproductive rate (R₀) in the control and in the treatment with S. officinalis and S. rosmarinus EO_S were 5.18 ± 0.94, 3.12 ± 0.49 and 3.28 ± 0.51 offspring/female/ individual, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) in the control and in the treatment with S. officinalis and S. rosmarinus were 0.10 ± 0.01, 0.07 ± 0.01, and 0.07 ± 0.01 day⁻¹, respectively. The finite rate of population increases (λ) in the control and the S. officinalis and S. rosmarinus treatments were 1.11 ± 0.13, 1.07 ± 0.07 and 1.08 ± 0.07 day⁻¹, respectively, which were significantly smaller than the control. The results showed that both tested EO_S have lethal and sub-lethal effects on the European red mite, whereas, S.rosmarinus EO caused significantly more casualties compared to S. officinalis EO. Also, the effect of S. rosmarinus EO in reducing parameters such as the immature longevity, female longevity, and fertility was estimated to be greater than that of S. officinalis EO. Finally, the mentioned plant compounds have noticeable effects on the age-stage specific survival and fertility rates in the European red mite and possess the capability of significantly reducing its population under controlled condition.

Abstract The supply of pollens as an alternative food can enhance the performance of phytoseiid predatory mites. The study determined the effects of three different pollens (sunflower, tamarix, and common mallow) as supplementary diets on the life table parameters and predation rate of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in the absence and presence of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) eggs. The chemical compositions of the pollens were also analyzed. The results showed that the fecundity of N. californicus on T. urticae in the presence of pollen was significantly higher than that on pollen alone. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) on T. urticae in the presence of tamarix and common mallow pollens (0.131 and 0.132 day⁻¹, respectively) was significantly higher than those recorded on the other diets. The net reproductive rate (R₀) varied from 0.585 offspring (on sunflower pollen) to 8.465 offspring (on tamarix pollen + T. urticae). The cohort reared on common mallow pollen + T. urticae had the highest values of both intrinsic rate and the finite rate of increase, followed by tamarix pollen + T. urticae. The predation rate of T. urticae by N. californicus fed on tamarix pollen was the highest compared to other pollens. Tamarix pollen had the highest protein content, while sunflower pollen contained higher levels of lipid, phenol, and flavonoid compounds. Due to its higher protein content, tamarix pollen had favorable effects on the survival, development, fecundity, and predation rate of N. californicus. Tamarix pollen can be used as a supplementary medium alongside T. urticae, since the treatment with tamarix pollen + T. urticae eggs showed most of the superior parameters. Therefore, N. californicus reared on tamarix pollen can be helpful in controlling T. urticae.

Abstract One new species of the genus Prometabelba (Oribatida, Damaeidae)—P. chilaloensis sp. nov.— is described, based on adults collected from litter and green mosses of forest in the Arsi Mountains National Park, central Ethiopia. An identification key to species of Damaeidae from the Afrotropical region is provided.

Abstract Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is an important predatory mite species characterized by its broad prey spectrum and strong adaptability. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters represent a large protein superfamily present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, primarily functioning in xenobiotic transport and maintenance of cellular homeostasis. However, research on this protein family in predatory mites remains largely unknown. In this study a total of 49 putative ABC transporter genes were identified, through a comprehensive analysis of the N. californicus transcriptome. Phylogenetic analysis classified these transporters into eight distinct subfamilies (ABCA-H). Expression profiling of ABCA subfamily genes across different developmental stages demonstrated ubiquitous expression patterns for all members except NcABCA-07. Functional characterization of two highly expressed genes in adult females, NcABCA-02 and NcABCA-05, was performed through RNA interference. Silencing of NcABCA-02 and NcABCA-05 increased the mortality rate of adult female mites from 1.00% to 12.00% and 5.78%, respectively. Furthermore, predation efficiency on adult female Tetranychus urticae Koch significantly decreased from 3.87 prey individuals to 1.87 (51.7% reduction) and 1.70 (56.1% reduction) following silencing of NcABCA-02 and NcABCA-05. Additionally, reduced egg hatching rates were observed in silenced individuals. These results indicate critical roles of NcABCA-02 and NcABCA-05 in maintaining survival, predatory capacity, and reproductive fitness in N. californicus. The findings provide valuable insights into the physiological mechanisms of predatory mites and establish a theoretical framework for enhancing their efficacy in biological control applications.

Abstract Trichogalumna (Oribatida, Galumnidae) currently comprises two subgenera and 34 species, collectively distributed in the pantropical and subtropical areas. A new subgenus— Trichogalumna (Paratrichogalumna) subgen. nov., with T. punctata Engelbrecht, 1972 as type species—is proposed. It differs from the other subgenera of Trichogalumna by the location of the adanal lyrifissure (distinctly distanced from anal plate). One new species—T. (T.) giaensis sp. nov.—is described, based on adults collected from forest litter in central Vietnam. The new species is characterized mainly by small body size; sparsely striate pteromorphs; dense polygonate-foveolate ornamentation in dorsocentral region of the notogaster; dense polygonate-tuberculate sculpturing between genital and anal plates; long bothridial seta with lanceolate, barbed head, having distinct, acicular apex; and four pairs of small, circular porose areas. The following synonymy is suggested: Trichogalumna (Trichogalumna) trowella Nakamura, Nakamura & Fujikawa, 2013 (= Trichogalumna gotoensis Shirosaki, Nakamura & Fujikawa, 2017 syn. nov.). An identification key to the known species of Trichogalumna is provided.

Abstract The genus Augeriflechtmannia Kocak & Kemal, 2008, belongs to the spider mite family Tetranychidae and is part of the subfamily Tetranychinae and the tribe Tetranychini. This genus includes six known species. By 2025, 100 spider mite species in the family Tetranychidae have been recorded from Iran. Among these, three species of Augeriflechtmannia have been identified: A. astragalus Mahdavi, Asadi, Latifi & Seeman, 2021, collected from Astragalus sp. (Fabaceae); A. haloxyloni Mahdavi, Latifi, Asadi & Auger, 2022, collected from Haloxylon ammodendron (Amaranthaceae); and A. iraniensis (Mahdavi & Ueckermann, 2013), collected from Salsola sp. (Amaranthaceae). In this paper, we report the first record of A. penisinuosus (Auger & Flechtmann, 2003) from Asia, collected on Salsola sp. (Amaranthaceae), representing this species's second report worldwide. During a survey of tetranychid mites, six females and seven males of A. penisinuosuis, were collected and identified. Leaves and sheaths were collected in plastic bags and taken to the laboratory. The dipping-washing-filtering method was used to extract the mites. The samples were then filtered through a sieve (400 Mesh). The mites retained on the sieve were washed with 75% ethanol into a Petri dish, then collected individually under a stereomicroscope and mounted in Hoyer’s medium.

Abstract The phytoseiids (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are a group of predatory mites within the superorder Parasitiformes, extensively studied due to their potential as biological control agents. Members of the genus Paraseiulus Muma are considered specialized predators primarily associated with tydeoid mites (Tydeoidea), and are classified under the “Subtype Ic” feeding lifestyle (McMurtry et al. 2013). Currently, 23 nominal species of Paraseiulus are recognized worldwide (Khaustov et al. 2023; Demite et al. 2025). A relatively high number of these mites have been reported from Iran, especially when compared to neighboring countries. The Iranian species of the genus include P. amacroporus Faraji, Jalaeian & McMurtry, 2008, P. erevanicus Wainstein & Arutunjan, 1967, P. porosus Kolodochka, 1980, P. soleiger (Ribaga, 1904), P. talbii (Athias-Henriot, 1960), and P. triporus (Chant & Yoshida-Shaul, 1982). Previous faunistic surveys made no mention of the presence of P. incognitus in Iran (Kazemi et al. 2022). Therefore, in this study, we report this species for the first time from the Iranian fauna. The predatory mite specimens examined in this study were collected in 2017 and 2024 from various host plants in Golestan and East Azerbaijan Provinces, Iran. The specimens were extracted using Berlese funnels, cleared in lactic acid, mounted in Hoyer’s medium, and examined under a differential interference contrast microscope (Leica DM4000B). Images were taken with a Leica DMC4500 camera attached to the microscope. No new morphological descriptions were made, as the examined specimens displayed characteristics consistent with those described by Döker et al. (2023) and Khaustov et al. (2023). The voucher slides are deposited in the mite collection of the Acarology Laboratory, Çukurova University, Adana, Türkiye.

Abstract The species T. neotropica is found at the furthest point of the Neotropical region in the Gulf of Mexico province (Morrone et al. 2017). However, the genus Tetrabdella, has also been reported in the north of the country in oligotrophic soils of the Cuatro Ciénegas Valley in Coahuila (García-Ayala et al. 2020), belonging to Chihuahua Desert Province (Morrone et al. 2017). However, it has not been possible to verify whether we are talking about T. neotropica or a different species. The same seems to happen with a record of a species close to T. neotropica reported for South Africa; which suggests that it could possibly be a genus with a wider distribution and represented by more than one species (Hernandes et al. 2016).

Abstract Mites of the superfamily Eriophyoidea Nalepa, 1898 (Acari: Acarifomes) are obligate plant parasites with high host specialization and are the second most important group of mites causing damage to agricultural crops after the superfamily Tetranychoidea Donnadieu (Krantz and Walter 2009, Lindquist et al. 1996). Mites of this superfamily, with a global distribution, are known as bud mites, blister mites, erinose mites, rust mites and four-legged mites, and are included in three families: Eriophyidae Nalepa, Diptilomiopidae Keifer and Phytoptidae Murray. These mites feed on all aerial parts of annual, biennial and perennial plants except the roots. Members of this superfamily account for more than 60% of herbivorous mites (Li et al. 2023). In addition to the direct damage caused by eriophyoid mites to agricultural crops, their ability to transmit plant viruses and their potential as biological control agents for some weeds is of great importance (Oldfield 2005). Therefore, because of their high importance, the eriophyoid mite fauna was surveyed in 15 locations of Maragheh county, East Azerbaijan province, Northwest of Iran, in summers 2023 and 2024 (Table 1). Eriophyoid mites were recovered from the plant material by means of a modified washing method developed by Lotfollahi and Masoudi-Rad (2024). The collected specimens were slide mounted according to Lotfollahi and Masoudi-Rad (2024). All morphological measurements were taken using an Olympus BX53 microscope, through a phase contrast 100x oil immersion objective at 1,000 magnification, according to Amrine and Manson (1996) as modified by de Lillo et al. (2010). Counting of dorsal, ventral and coxigenital semiannuli follows Lotfollahi and Masoudi-Rad (2024). The genera classification follows Amrine et al. (2003) and comparisons were also made with new genera described since that publication. Host plant names and their synonymies are in accordance with "The World Flora Online" (2025). In total two families, three subfamilies, four tribes, 10 genera and 14 species were collected and identified, and here the information about the collected specimens is provided. In this study, the highest number of mite specimens belonged to Calepitrimerus baileyi Keifer, 1938 and the lowest number belonged to the cynodonis Abou-Awad & Nasr, 1983. The examined materials are deposited at the Acarology Laboratory, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz (Iran).

Abstract The genus Abrolophus (Acari: Erythraeidae) comprises a diverse group of predatory mites known for their ecological significance and wide geographical distribution (Zhang 2011). Abrolophus is the dominant genus of the Erythraeidae. Abrolophus larvae are divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of a comb-like seta on the palpal tarsus (Hakimitbar and Davari 2025; Wohltmann and Mąkol 2012). Iran, situated at the crossroads of several biogeographic zones, harbors a remarkably diverse mite fauna. However Abrolophus has received limited attention in acarological surveys conducted in the country. Previous records of Abrolophus species from Iran are scarce, and many regions remain unexplored, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of their distribution and diversity. So far, five species have been reported from Iran, of which four species belong to Abrolophus species with comb-like seta on their palptarsus, A. bochkovi Hakimitabar, Saboori & Fadaei, 2020, A. iraninejadi Saboori & Hajiqanbar, 2005, A. ederleae Hakimitabar, 2025, A. khanjanii (Haitlinger & Saboori, 1996) and one species belongs to Abrolophus species without a comb-like seta on their palptarsus, A. hajiqanbari Noei, 2022 (Hakimitbar and Davari 2025; Çobanoğlu et al. 2023; Noei 2022; Hakimitabar et al. 2020; Saboori and Hajiqanbar 2005; Haitlinger and Saboori 1996). Wohltmann and Mąkol (2012) is redescribed A. norvegicus (Thor, 1900) based on specimens obtained by laboratory rearing from field-collected females and field collected larvae at different localities in Norway, Finland, Germany, Poland and Italy. The specific status of A. norvegicus is discussed and they selected a female of A. norvegicus, collected in northern Germany as neotype. This species was collected from 32 European countries.