Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract A compilation of halacarid mite species (Halacaridae) found associated with echinoderms (Echinodermata) has been carried out based on published records. In this paper, we listed 20 halacarid mite species associated with echinoderms altogether. These 20 species belong to 10 genera, viz. Agaue (2 species), Agauopsis (1 species), Copidognathus (5 species), Enterohalacarus (1 species), Halacarellus (4 species), Halacaropsis (1 species), Halacarus (2 species), Rhombognathides (2 species), Rhombognathus (1 species) and Thalassarachna (1 species).

Abstract This article summarizes knowledge on the species composition of oribatid mites of the Transcarpathian lowlands. In total, 174 species of oribatid mites (97 genera and 50 families) are recorded from 53 localities and 18 types of biotopes. Ecological and distributional data for each species are specified. The fauna is compared with that of the other areas of the Pannonian lowlands (Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania). Two species, Rhinoppia similifallax Subías & Mínguez, 1986 and Galumna bimorpha Mahunka, 1987 are first records from Ukraine. Two other species, Cosmochthonius tenuisetus Gordeeva, 1980 and Ceratozetella maxima (Berlese, 1908) are found for the first time from the Pannonian Plain.

Abstract The mite family Ameroseiidae with 138 valid species is presently classified in the superfamily Ascoidea of the order Mesostigmata. Seventy-two species have been described based on type specimens and no report has been done since then, while the other 66 species have been frequently reported from around the world. The objective of this study is to provide information about distribution and habitat of the latter group, which are listed in twelve genera: Ameroseius (21 species), Kleemannia (15), Neocypholaelaps (8), Epicriopsis (7), Hattena and Sertitympanum (4 each), Ameroseiella (2), Afrocypholaelaps, Asperolaelaps, Brontispalaelaps, Pseudoameroseius and Sinoseius (1 each).

Abstract The date spider mite, Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) is a destructive pest on date palm trees, causing high economic losses. Here, we investigated the relationship between population density of O. afrasiaticus and the extent of its injury level as well as the relation between rate of damage and date yield losses indices on six commercial date cultivars in five date palm growing provinces including Khuzestan (Sayer and Berhee), Hormozgan (Pyarum), Kerman (Mazafati), Bushehr (Kabkab), and Sistan and Baluchestan (Rabi) of Iran. The experiment was conducted in a complete randomized block design with five treatments and three replications. To this end, in each replication, four date clusters were selected from four different geographical directions, in each of them, 25 fruits were checked randomly to unveil the number of healthy and infested fruits. The sampling was repeated at seven-day intervals from late May to early September. Finally, the Norton model was used to estimate the economic injury level (EIL) under both biological and chemical control conditions. The highest value of EIL in 2019 was estimated for Sayer in the chemical control method (1827 Mite-day) and the lowest one was estimated for Pyarum in the biological control method (25.5 mite-day). Our results also revealed that the cost of biological control was significantly lower than chemical control. The highest and lowest rate of date injury (symptoms of the pest feeding) were observed on Berhee and Mazafati cultivars, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest rate of date loss were observed on Kabkab and Sayer cultivars, respectively. On the other hand, the cost of chemical control in both years was higher than that of biological control.

Abstract The citrus red mite, Panonychus citri McGregor (Acari: Tetranychidae) whose control is largely based on the use of acaricides, is a key citrus pest in the world. The lethal and sublethal values of cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen were estimated on citrus red mite. LC₂₀ and LC₅₀ values of cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen were 2.79 and 10.23 ppm, and 2.30 and 7.28 ppm, respectively. LC₂₀ concentration effects of cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen were studied on life table parameters of P. citri females. These two acaricides had significant effects on P. citri biological parameters including developmental time, survival rate, and fecundity. Also, the exposure of females to LC₂₀ considerably reduced net reproductive rate (R₀), finite rate of increase (λ) and intrinsic rate of increase (r). The intrinsic rate of increase in females treated with cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen was 0.156 and 0.153 day⁻¹, respectively, and it was 0.183 day⁻¹ for untreated females. The sublethal concentrations affected the citrus red mite life table parameters and consequently may influence the population growth of its future generations. These results provide a baseline for the response of P. citri to cyflumetofen and spirodiclofen pesticides that will aid mite control management in citrus.

Abstract The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch is one of the polyphagous pests that attack a wide range of crops. In recent decades, excessive application of synthetic acaricides has led to its resistance to pesticides and environmental pollution. However, considering the importance of the role of pesticides in controlling plant pests, it is impossible to cease using these compounds. In recent decades, new methods such as the use of plant extracts have been proposed that not only control pests but also have no residues and harmful environmental effects. Also, the use of plant extracts in combination with synthetic pesticides while controlling the pest, reduces the amount of pesticide usage. In this study, the efficacy of methanolic extracts of Zataria multiflora and Rosmarinus officinalis was investigated individually and in combination with spirodiclofen and propargite to control two-spotted spider mites. Bioassay tests were performed using the leaf dipping method. Each treatment was performed in three independent biological replications and the mortality was recorded 24 h after exposure. The 50% lethal dose (LC₅₀) of spirodiclofen and propargite as well as methanolic extracts of Z. multiflora and R. officinalis were estimated to 1.89, 12.76, 1934.13, and 4382.07 mg/l, respectively. In addition, results of experiments related to mixing plant extracts with acaricides showed that the combination of Z. multiflora extract with spirodiclofen and propargite caused a synergistic effect with a co-toxicity coefficient of 66.66 and 55.55, respectively. However, the combination of R. officinalis extract with spirodiclofen and propargite caused an antagonistic response with −77.78 and −80.56, respectively.

Abstract Demodex spp. are ectoparasites that live on mammal's skin. Demodex folliculorum Simon is important in the pathogenesis of blepharitis and other inflammatory skin diseases; however, the in vitro culture has not been achieved yet. In this study, the effect of temperature and culture medium on the survival of D. folliculorum was determined.  Adult mites were obtained directly from eyelashes of individuals with a clinical diagnosis of Demodex blepharitis. Temperature ranges from 15–25 ℃, and three culture media (RPMI-1640, RPMI-1640 supplemented with human serum, and RPMI-1640 supplemented with fetal bovine serum) were tested. Results showed significant differences in the survival time of D. folliculorum among different treatments.  The maximum survival of mite was 15.20 ± 1.03 days with RPMI-1640 supplemented with human serum at 20 ℃. This result is the longest reported survival time of D. folliculorum under in vitro maintenance conditions. This research presents a refinement of the methods previously reported to develop an in vitro culture of D. folliculorum.

Abstract We collected mites from a subterranean nest (80 cm deep) of the snowy bumble-bee Bombus niveatus Kriechbaumer, in the Sabalan Mountains, Iran.  The following five mite species were identified: Parasitellus fucorum, Kuzinia laevis, Proctolaelaps longisetosus, Pneumolaelaps colomboi, Pneumolaelaps hyatti. Of them, the most abundant species was Pneumolaelaps hyatti. Here in, various and some useful information about each species are discussed.

Abstract The feather mite Promyalges uncus Vitzthum, 1934 is a permanent ectoparasite, all stages of which are located on the skin of its hosts. It has phoretic relations with louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) parasitizing birds. This mite inhabits a wide variety of Passeriformes. This species was found in North America and Europe. The only previous record of this mite in Russia was on the fly O. avicularia from the hooded crow Corvus cornix (Corvidae) in the Leningrad region. Our study reports P. uncus for the first in the subpolar Urals from Ornuthomya chloropus Bergroth, 1901.

Abstract Two molecular barcodes of spider mites (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) from Iran, with the first barcodes for Aegyptobia genus (Tenuipalpidae), are presented.

Abstract Thirty tick samples were collected from a Caspian red deer in forested areas of Talesh County, Lisar protected area, Gilan province, northern Iran. Tick samples were examined according to morphological characters. In order to specific identification, a fragment (ca. 800-bp) of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and a 340-bp fragment of mitochondrial large subunit ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene were amplified by PCR. Nucleotide sequences were analyzed with BLASTn in GenBank. Adult tick samples were identified as female of the genus (subgenus): Rhipicephalus (Boophilus). The results of BLASTn showed that the female ticks belonged to the species Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus. Our results confirmed the presence of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus on Cervus elaphus maral representing the first tick infestation record of the Caspian red deer in Iran. The results suggest a possible establishment of this vector species in a wildlife environment.