Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract A new species of the genus Laelaspis Berlese, L. nematii sp. nov. is described based on adult female specimens collected in association with Cataglyphis fritillariae Khalili-Moghadam et al., (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Koohrang county (Dashte laleh), Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, southwestern Iran.

Abstract The present study is based on oribatid mite material collected from five locations in Eastern Guatemala. A list of 98 species, belonging to 68 genera and 43 families, is presented; 70 species are recorded for the first time in Guatemalan fauna. A new species of genus Pergalumna, P. paraobsidiana sp. nov. is described from rainforest litter.

Abstract Twenty-one species of digamasellid mites were collected from Guilan province in northern Iran. Oligodentatus shcherbakae Barilo, 1989, O. tridentatus Shcherbak & Bregetova, 1980 and Dendrolaelaspis longisetosus (Shcherbak, 1977) are new records for the Iranian mite fauna. Redescriptions, including figures, of the adult female for these three species are provided, based on the material collected from Iran. This paper provides a checklist for 31 digamasellid species recorded from Iran and a taxonomic key for their identification.

Abstract The present study is based on oribatid mite materials collected from the Gambela region, Ethiopia. A list of 41 species, belonging to 30 genera and 20 families, is presented. One new species Scheloribates (Scheloribates) aboboensis Ermilov sp. nov. (Scheloribatidae) is described.

Abstract Atractothrombium joharchii sp. nov. ectoparasitic on an unknown Tachinidae (Insecta: Diptera) is described from Alborz province, Iran. A re-definition of the genus Atractothrombium is presented. A key to the larval genera of Microtrombidiinae of the world with two median scuta and anterior scutum with longitudinal striations is given. Leg setal formula of two species of Fissitrombium described by Southcott (1994) are given.

Abstract During a comprehensive survey of heterostigmatic mites associated with ground beetles and soil samples in northern and northeastern Iran, several colonies of caroboacarid mites, including three species of the genus Caraboacarus Krczal, 1959, C. stammeri Krczal, 1959, C. karenae Nickel & Elzinga, 1969, and C. krczali Eidelberg, 1994 as well as Minicaraboacarus quadridiscalis Hajiqanbar & Khaustov, 2008 and Intercaraboacarus clivinus Katlav & Hajiqanbar, 2015, were extracted from soil samples and ground beetles of the genera Calosoma Weber, Harpalus Latreille, Amara Bonelli and Scarites Fabricius in the sampling area. The world distribution and host specificity are examined.

Abstract Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is an important generalist predator used to control several important crops' pests such as spider mites, whiteflies, and thrips. In this study, the lethal concentrations of Mentha piperita L. (Lamiaceae) and Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) essential oils (EOs) were calculated on the adult stage of the Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). The side effects of EOs were investigated on the functional response of A. swirskii on F. occidentalis 1^st instar larvae. The females of A. swirskii were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations (LC₃₀ and LC₅₀) of EOs for 12 h with the fumigant exposure method. In the control, the treatment was performed by using Triton X-100 (0.02). Treated predatory mites were selected randomly, and transferred to the experimental arenas containing 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 thrips. The predators were kept in the experimental arenas for 24 h at 25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 10% RH, and a photoperiod of 16: 8 h (L: D). Results indicated that A. swirskii exhibited a type II functional response, regardless of EOs applications. The shortest (1.62 ± 0.046 h) and the longest (1.91 ± 0.049 h) handling times, were recorded in the control and the LC₅₀ treatment of M. piperita EO, respectively. There was not a significant difference between attack rate coefficients (α) under sub-lethal concentrations. Based on the results, the two EOs have the potential to be used in F. occidentalis management, but their side effects on A. swirskii should be considered in IPM programs.

Abstract During a survey of gall-inducing aphids on pistachio trees in Razavi-Khorasan Province, larvae of a parasitic mite were collected inside the galls of Forda hirsuta (Aphididae). The mite was identified as Erythraeus (Erythraeus) pistacicus Haitlinger, Mehrnejad & Šundić based on morphological, and molecular data. This is the first record of this mite from the host aphid, F. hirsuta, and also the third record of the occurrence of the mite in Iran. The survey of possible infections with bacterial symbionts in natural populations of E. (E.) pistacicus from Mashhad and Feizabad localities in northeastern Iran revealed the presence of three bacterial symbionts, Wolbachia, Planomicrobium, and Cardinium at different infection rates (55%, 30%, and 10% respectively), while Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma were not detected. Investigating bacterial symbionts in predatory insects/mites provide a valuable framework for better understanding the complex interactions between symbionts and their hosts and will lead to developing more efficacious biocontrol strategies particularly, those seeking to decrease reliance on chemical pesticides.

Abstract Saffron (Crocus sativus: Iridaceae) is a fall-blooming perennial plant and its dried stigma is the priciest spice and a key non-oil export for Iran's economy. The bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini, is a polyandrous and multivoltine species and its damage to saffron corms directly and indirectly causes lower yields of saffron crops. Environmental conditions and abiotic factors, such as temperature, humidity, density, and diet affect the morphological traits of living organisms and subsequently affect biological abilities. In this study, changes in temperature, soil moisture, density (nymphs + adults), time, and corm weight on the morphological traits of the saffron bulb mite, including body length and width, and leg sizes of adult females were investigated in a saffron field in the Dargaz County of Iran during 2022. The results of variance analysis of the morphometrical parameters of the mite species, including body length, body width, and four pairs of legs in different months were significant. Based on simple and multiple linear regression models as well as non-linear regression, the effect of temperature and density (nymphs + adults) was reversed and the effect of soil moisture and corm weight was direct on morphometrical parameters of this species. Based on our results, soil moisture has a strong relation with female body size traits (body length, width, and leg lengths). This indicates that irrigation cycle management might be an important factor in bulb mite management in saffron agroecosystems.

Abstract Recently, using eco-friendly controlling methods against pests has been getting great attention. Therefore, this study aimed to assess synthesis of two different phases of nano aluminum oxide, alpha and Gamma, (α- and γ-Al₂O₃ NPs) from wastes. Additionally, evaluate them to control stored product mites, Mycetoglyphus fungivorus, and Caloglyphus mycophagus, and the fungi Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria sp., and Fusarium oxysporum. Two phases of Al₂O₃ NPs were synthesized in acidic and basic media and characterized using the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). Mortality percentages of mites were evaluated at concentrations of 10, 30 and 60 ppm after 1, 2, 3 and 4 days. The growth of fungi was assessed to determine the fungicidal concentrations in PDB cultures by Mycelium Dry Weights Method. The study confirmed the formation and thermal stability of α- and γ-Al₂O₃ NPs using FESEM, UV-Vis and TGA. The average particle size of α-Al₂O₃ is 4–10 nm and for γ- Al₂O₃ is 14–30 nm. Both phases were toxic to tested stages of mites. Increasing concentration and exposure time, results in increased mite mortality rates. γ-Al₂O₃ NPs were more efficient than α-NPs post initial exposure, then all through time both have the same effect. The female's fecundity was significantly influenced. Tested eggs did not hatch at all. The toxic activity remained strong after 1, 2, and 3 months of exposure. The SEM images revealed a strong adhesive of α- and γ-NPs which were visibly bonded to various areas of dead mite females. γ-Al₂O₃ showed antifungal activity more than the α-NPs. Concentrations of fungicides depended on the fungal strain sensitivity. It has been concluded that α- and γ-Al₂O₃ NPs are efficient environmentally friendly agents against the proliferation of storage mites and mycotoxin producing fungi.

Abstract Acalypha wilkesiana is considered a great tool for rearing Tetranychus urticae in the laboratory; it has two colors of leaves i.e., green and red. The leaf pigment content and some chemical properties were observed in this study to examine the correlation between the biology of T. urticae and the physio-biochemical features of the green and red leaves of A. wilkesiana. Results showed that T. urticae individuals achieved faster growth and a greater number of eggs deposited by females when feeding on A. wilkesiana with greener leaves, which contained higher levels of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b, and total carotenoids). There was a significant positive correlation (P ≤ 0.05) between T. urticae female hatchability, egg deposited/female, and daily rate with contents of total carbohydrate, total carotenoids, soluble sugars, chlorophyll a, and chlorophyll b. For male biology, there was a significant positive correlation (P ≤ 0.05) between T. urticae male life span, immature stages, and life cycle with contents of total phenols, and anthocyanin. These results indicated the role of chemical components of Acalypha leaves in the biological aspects of T. urticae.

Abstract During a survey of gamasid mites associated with honey bees in Western Siberia (Tyumen region), Russia, Tropilaelaps mercedesae Anderson & Morgan was collected in hives of the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). T. mercedesae was recently recorded in Central Asia, Uzbekistan. This finding in Russia indicates that the range of this dangerous ectoparasitic species is expanding.

Abstract In this paper, we give new data on larval specimens of E. (E.) phalangoides deposited in the South Australian Museum (SAM), and transfer Erythraeus (Erythraeus) walii Kamran, Afzal, Raza, Bashir & Ahmad, 2011 to the subgenus Erythraeus (Zaracarus).

Abstract Here, we present a catalogue of all mesostigmatid mites (except Phytoseiidae) reported from Iran. The catalogue lists 616 species belonging to 183 genera and 51 families. Considering the number of genera and species of phytoseiid mites, which is stated to be 15 and 105, respectively, the number of mesostigmatid mite genera and species in Iran reaches 198 and 721, respectively. The suborder Monogynaspida Camin & Gorirossi is more specious than Trigynaspida Camin & Gorirossi, and the latter is more specious than the Sejida Kramer. Oplitis inopina (Hull, 1923) is recognized as the earliest recorded description of mesostigmatid mites from Iran in over a century. The family Laelapidae, described and recorded from Iran, has the highest number of genera (26) and species (162), followed by Phytoseiidae (15 genera and 105 species) and Ascidae (10 genera and 49 species). The most specious genera are Gaeolaelaps Evans & Till (30 species), Laelaspis Berlese (21 species), and Macrocheles Latreille (19 species). The highest number of described species from Iran belongs to Gaeolalelaps (Laelapidae) with 15 species. No description has been done for the following reported families of monogynaspid mites from Iran: Ameroseiidae, Haemogamasidae, Macronyssidae, Dermanyssidae, Spinturnysidae, Rhinonyssidae, Varroidae, Parholaspididae, Otopheidomenidae, Podocinidae, Halolaelapidae, Veigaiidae, Epicriidae, Microgyniidae, Dithinozerconidae, Polyaspididae, Trachytidae, Metagynuridae, Trachyuropodidae, Cillibidae, Dinychidae, Urodinychidae, and Urodiaspididae. For Trigynaspida (except Diplogyniidae) and Sejida (except Sejidae), no species have been described from Iran. It is worth mentioning that the superfamily Anictequoidea, family Messoracaridae, and genus Messoracarus Silvestri are reported for the first time in Iran. Based on the published information for each species, information about geographical distribution, taxonomic literature, and host or habitat is included. Defects in the previous checklists have been corrected, and the classification of the known species has been updated. Relevant explanations for each taxon concerning different issues are cited as note(s) under the related taxon.