Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract This study is based on freshwater halacarid mites collected from two different provinces (Isparta and Muğla) of Turkey. Limnohalacarus wackeri (Walter, 1914) and Soldanellonyx monardi Walter, 1919 are reported for the first time for Turkish freshwater halacarid fauna. Additionally, both nymphal stages of Halacarellus hyrcanus (Viets, 1928) and deutonymph of Porohalacarus alpinus (Thor, 1910) are also recorded for the first time for Lake Eğirdir, Isparta. Each species is illustrated, briefly diagnosed with notes and shown on a map of Turkey depicting all recorded freshwater halacarid species to this date.

Abstract Until now, Favognathus insularis (Luxton, 1973) has been only known from the Niue Island. In recent surveys conducted in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, a second record of this species was provided. It is redescribed here based on the adult females. Also, an identification key to known species of Favognathus is provided.

Abstract This study provides additional morphological information and new illustrations for thirteen species of soil mites in the family Laelapidae described from Iran, to supplement the original descriptions.

Abstract The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch is one of the most important pests of strawberry plants worldwide. The present study compared the biology and life table parameters of T. urticae on four strawberry cultivars, including Wanter star, Markez, Fortona and 029 under laboratory conditions. Female developmental times showed a significant difference when recorded on tested cultivars, while such a difference was not observed for the male ones. The developmental time was significantly longer on Wanter star and Fortona in comparison with the others (P = 0.00). Females of T. urticae exhibited the shortest oviposition period and adult longevity on Fortona and Wanter star, while having the longest periods on 029 in this report (P = 0.00). The lowest fecundity and daily eggs laid by females were recorded on Wanter star. The highest rate of fertility was recorded on 029 as compared to other cultivars; therefore, Wanter star is introduced as a resistant cultivar against T. urticae infestation.

Abstract Sugarcane (interspecific hybrids of Saccharum) is a strategically important cash crop that has an economic and social impact in many countries. Sugarcane mite, Oligonychus sacchari is one of the most detrimental arthropod pests associated with sugarcane during summer. Control of this pest is mainly based on chemical pesticides and cultural practices as well as the application of silicon as a nutritional component of an integrated crop management. In this study, effects of silicon were evaluated on O. sacchari. Experiments were carried out during 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 at Salman Farsi Agro Industry Farms, Ahwaz-Iran. The two varieties (CP57-614 and CP48-103) were treated by silicic acid fertilizer as foliar application. Five treatments including one spray (0.5 lit/ha), two sprays (0.5 and 1 lit/ha 3 weeks after spray 1), three sprays (0.5, 1 and 1 lit/ha 4 weeks after spray 2), four sprays (0.5, 1, 1 and 1 lit/ha 4 weeks after spray 3) and Control were applied. In each plot, 15 leaves were randomly selected from bottom, mid and top of plant and number of living mites and dry leaves were recorded. Samples were collected 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after the forth application of silicic acid. The results showed that all treatments had significant effects in mite population and leaf dryness versus Control. Among different treatments of silicic acid, four spray application of silicic acid was more efficient than other treatments on mite damage and leaf dryness. It seems that the silicic acid would be a promising product for management of mite damage and could be incorporated with other management strategies in sugarcane IPM.

Abstract Essential oils are environmentally benign agents which are used as alternative compounds for chemical pesticides in order to control pests. Thus, in the current study, the toxicity and repellency effects of essential oils, extracted from three medicinal plants of the Lamiaceae family, including Thymus daenensis, Satureja khuzestanica, and S. bakhtiarica, were evaluated against a resistant (MhR) and a susceptible (KrS) population of Tetranychus urticae. Results based on probit analysis revealed that all extracted essential oils to some extent showed both repellency and toxicity effects on both populations of the mite. The LC₅₀ values of S. khuzestanica extract were the lowest against the both populations (31.16 µL. L⁻¹ air for KrS population and 56.29 µL. L⁻¹ air for MhR population). Also, all extracted essential oils were found to be repellent to the adult females of both MhR and KrS populations, with higher repellency effect of S. khuzestanica oil. The effect of the LC₂₀ of the essential oils on detoxifying enzymes including Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), esterases (ESTs) and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450) was tested against both populations. Significant higher activity of all enzymes was detected in MhR population regardless of essential oils treatment. The activity of GSTs and esterases increased significantly in mites treated with all essential oils, while a tendency for a decrease in P450 activity was detected following essential oils treatment. These results indicate that the essential oils of the all selected plants, especially S. khuzestanica, have a good potential to be used in integrated management programs of T. urticae which is a serious pest in the greenhouses.

Abstract Petrobia Murray, 1877 genus belong to the Tetranychidae family , BryobiinaeBerlese subfamily and Petrobiini Reck, 1952 tribe. Petrobia comprised three subgenera: Mesotetranychus Reck,1948, Petrobia Murray, 1877 and Tetranychina Wainstein, 1960(Mahdavi et al. 2018). By the year 2019, there were 80 species belong to Tetranychidae from Iran and among them 4 species (P. brevipes Reck & Bagdasarian, 1949, P. hordei Khanjani, Khanjani & Seeman, 2016, P. latens (Müller, 1776) and P. norbakhshi Khanjani, Khanjani & Seeman, 2016) belong to Petrobia (Petrobia) (Migeon & Dorkeld, 2006-2019). In this paper we report the first record of P. (P.) pseudotetranychina Auger & Flechtmann, 2009 (Acariformes: Tetranychoidea: Tetranychidae) from Iran collected on Salsola sp. (Amaranthaceae), which is also the second report of this species in the world. Moreover, this paper introduces two new host plants (Capparis spinosa Linnaeus and Cydonia oblonga Miller) for tetranychid mites from Iran. Capparis spinosa is also the first record for the world. To collect mite species, leaves and sheaths of Salsola sp. were collected in bags and taken to the laboratory. Mites were removed from infested plants by dipping-washing-filtering method (Boller, 1984). This solution was filtered through a sieve (400 mesh) and then mites were washed with ethanol 70% into a Petridish. They were mounted in Hoyer’s medium. Specimens were examined using an Olympus® BX43 phase contrast compound microscope.

Abstract In this study, 18 species from six families were collected from Lorestan Province. Cyta kreiteri Barber & Ueckermann, 2017 was recorded for the first time from Iran. 

Abstract In their new book, Denmark and Evans discuss and illustrate the morphology of the family Phytoseiidae including details of their dorsal and ventral chaetotaxy and adenotaxy. Four subfamilies, namely Amblyseiinae, Typhlodrominae, Phytoseiinae and Macroseiinae; 143 species belonging to 40 genera are included. Diagnoses for all 143 species and illustrated keys to the subfamilies, tribes, subtribes, and genera of Phytoseiidae of the world are presented.