Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract In the present study, halacarid mites inhabiting various macroalgae, barnacles and sand sediments from Tenerife (Canary Islands) were examined and identified for the first time. Among 114 individuals, 11 halacarid species belonging to six genera were detected: Agaue adriatica, Agauopsis brevipalpus, Agauopsis microrhyncha, Agauopsis tricuspis, Copidognathus lamelloides, C. magnipalpus, C. remipes, Halacarus subtilis, H. actenos, Halacaropsis hirsuta and Rhombognathus procerus. Presence of the epibiont suctorian ciliate species “Praethecacineta halacari” on C. magnipalpus is reported for the first time from the Canary Islands.

Abstract The present study reports the results of surveys carried out over a period of two years (2018 and 2020) in four provinces of Iran: Guilan, Razavi Khorasan, Mazandaran, and Sistan and Baluchestan. Twenty-three species from eight genera of Phytoseiidae have been collected, of which two species were newly recorded for Iran, namely: Euseius gallicus and Proprioseiopsis lineatus. Three species, namely Neoseiulus agrestis, Amblyseius obtusus, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) haiastanius are new records for the Guilan Province. Neoseiulus californicus and Amblyseius swirskii are new records for the Mazandaran Province while Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) haiastanius is a new record for the Razavi Khorasan Province. All species collected in Sistan and Baluchestan are new records for this province. The worldwide distribution and plant hosts of all collected phytoseiids during this study are provided.

Abstract Female of Premicrodispus (Premicrodispulus) kurganiensis sp. nov. (Acari: Heterostigmata: Microdispidae) is described from the salty soil sample collected from vicinity of the salt lake Medvezh’ye in Kurgan Region of Russia. This is the first record of the subgenus P. (Premicrodispulus) in Russia. A key to the species of P. (Premicrodispulus) is also provided.

Abstract Additional morphometric and other data are provided for larvae of Marantelophus iranicus (Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae) collected ectoparasitic on Carpocoris coreanus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and from soil and litter (off-host) in South Khorasan Province (Chahkand, Giuk, Khan and Shahrestanak villages, Birjand), Iran. A key to the genera of larval Abrolophinae and larval species of Marantelophus of the world is presented. Moreover, the family Chironomidae is recorded as the host of Empitrombium makolae (Trombidiformes: Microtrombidiidae) for the first time.

Abstract In order to survey eriophyoid mites of northwest of Urmia County, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran, samplings were done on spurges during summer 2021 and one new species, Eriophyes urmiae Lotfollahi & Mohammad-Doustaresharaf sp. nov. was found in Qaleh Sardar of Nazluchay Rural District as vagrant on Euphorbia sp. (Euphorbiaceae) leaves. This is the fourth eriophyoid mite described on spurges in Iran.

Abstract The data on abundance showed that the incidence of Raoiella indica and Stethorus keralicus was highest on Barhee and lowest on Anand TC variety, while moderate incidence was observed on KCCL-169. The incidence was observed throughout the year 2020–21 and 2021–22. The highest population was recorded in June and it was lowest during December. Among the four directions, maximum population was recorded from south and lowest from east throughout the year. Correlation studies revealed that S. keralicus, maximum temperature, minimum temperature, maximum relative humidity, minimum relative humidity, wind speed and evaporation showed highly significant positive correlation with incidence of R. indica, while, rainfall and rainy days showed non-significant positive correlation. However, bright sunshine hour exhibited non-significant negative correlation with incidence of R. indica. These results clearly showed that natural enemies are density-dependent and have a close association with R. indica population.

Abstract The effect of some commercial stimulants on inducing resistance in tomato cultivars K186 F₁ and 023 F₁ to two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch) was evaluated. The experiment was conducted under open-field conditions during the 2017 and 2018 summer seasons. Stimulants were applied to field-grown tomato plants after observing T. urticae individuals. The population of the movable stages of T. urticae at the start of the application and weekly intervals was counted as a measure of plant resistance. The initial population at three weeks after transplanting on both cultivars was within the economically safe range (< 1 mite/leaflet) for both seasons. The population of T. urticae increased gradually with plant age. The applied stimulants delayed the arrival of the economically significant damage until the 11 weeks after transplanting, especially with the spraying of Silical® (45% silicon oxide, 9% calcium, and 0.9% boron) and Stansh® (35% silicon oxide, 11.5% potassium oxide, and 13.4% silicon). The density of glandular and non-glandular trichomes on tomato leaves for various treatments was assessed at 13 weeks after transplanting. The stimulants had a significant positive effect on trichome density. The highest densities were found with Silical®, Stansh®, and Ultrafit® (38% salicylic acid, 2.8% nitrogen, 6.2% phosphor, and 23% potassium) for both cultivars. The foliar essential oil in Silical®, Ultrafit®, and control treatments was analyzed using the GC-MS technique. Silical® and Ultrafit® spraying stimulated tomato leaves to synthesize compounds that have acaricide activity. Chlorfenapyr was synthesized in both cultivars, and 2-dehydro-1,8-cineole, -gurjunene, -humulene, and heptacosane were synthesized in cultivar 023 F₁. Silical® and Ultrafit® spraying also increased the synthesis of some monoterpenoids that helped tomatoes resist T. urticae. Induced tomato resistance does not eliminate pest problems, but helps reduce pest populations and damage below the economic threshold. Silicon compounds can be accepted as part of integrated pest management, which must be carefully chosen for long-term agricultural sustainability.

Abstract Ticks are very important ectoparasites transmitting diseases to animals and humans and their natural control is an urgent need. The efficacy of nine novel aqueous plant extracts against Hyalomma dromedarii, semi-fed males, was evaluated through the adult immersion test; seven concentrations were applied (10, 20, 40, 90, 110, 130, and 170 mg/ml) for each plant extract. Plants could be arranged according to their Mortality (MO) percent, 15 days post-treatment (PT) with 170 mg/ml, as follows: 96% by Ricinus communis; followed 84% by Alchemilla vulgaris, Cichorium endivia, Quercus cortex, and Salvia rosmarinus. Three, seven, and 12 days PT, the LC₅₀ values of the highly effective group including R. communis (100.11, 30.34, and 30.22%), A. vulgaris (140.11, 60.94, and 50.38%), C. endivia (120.56, 60.13, and 30.80%), Q. cortex (110.87, 50.05, and 30.13%) and S. rosmarinus (110.73, 50.26, and 40.35%) were calculated. The LT₅₀ values for the highly effective plants were 1.000, 3.136, 2.282, 4.498, and 2.614 days, PT with 170 mg/ml, for R. communis, A. vulgaris, C. endivia, Q. cortex, and S. rosmarinus and their LT₉₉ values were 9.224, 19.840, 19.296, 22.928, and 29.907 days, respectively. The relative toxicity of the A. vulgaris, Allium sativum, C. endivia, Cyperus rotundus, Lepidium sativum, Q. cortex, R. communis, and S. rosmarinus were 1.0, 1.6, 1.6, 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.7, and 12 times, more effective than Lawsonia inermis, respectively. Phytochemical analyses indicated the presence of phenolic, tannin, and flavonoid compounds. This study recommended using R. communis for tick control, followed by Alc. vulgaris, Ci. endivia, Q. cortex, and S. rosmarinus.

Abstract Hyalomma dromedarii is the predominant tick species parasitizing camels in Egypt. This study aimed to evaluate the acaricidal activity of selected oils against H. dromedarii and determine their effects on enzyme activities. A screening test was performed against unfed adults using 30 oils at a concentration of 20%. Rosemary, garlic, neem, and Cyperus oils were evaluated against semi-engorged females in a bioassay experiment. Semi-engorged females were exposed to LC₅₀ that was calculated after two days to estimate enzyme activities of Glutathione S-transferase (GST), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and Catalase (CAT). Results of the screening test showed that the most effective oils against unfed adults were rosemary, neem, Cyperus, and garlic. In the bioassay experiment, rosemary oil exhibited the highest toxicity on the 2^nd day (LC₅₀: 12.3%) followed by garlic oil (LC₅₀: 17.4%). Neem and Cyperus oils revealed approximately the same toxicity recording an LC₅₀ of around 29% on the 2^nd day. The four selected oils exhibited a significant increase or decrease in the activity of GST, AChE, and CAT enzymes (P < 0.001) during 48 h post-treatment. In conclusion, rosemary and garlic oils have strong acaricidal effects against H. dromedarii. Therefore, these two oils could be recommended in the control program of ticks as safe alternatives to chemical acaricides.

Abstract The deutonymphal stage of Laelaps mazzai Fonseca, 1939 was described and figured for the first time based on specimens collected from the cricetid rodent Calomys fecundus (Thomas, 1926) from Salta Province, Argentina. The species was originally described on the bases of one female and three males collected from a “wild rat” captured at an unspecified locality of the same province. Herein, the deutonymph share diagnostic characteristics with females and males of L. mazzai, like the hypertrichous condition and the arrangement of setae in the dorsal shield, as well as the chaetotaxy of the coxae. Those characteristics also distinguished L. mazzai from other deutonymphs of Laelaps.

Abstract Eupodes hawaiiensis (Trombidiformes: Eupodidae) is reported for the first time from Iran.