Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract Hemipteroseius vikrami Menon, 2011 (Acari: Otopheidomenidae: Treatinae) has been considered a junior synonym of Hemipteroseius indicus (Krantz & Khot, 1962). Both species were described from India from the red cotton bugs Dysdercus koenigii (F.) and Dysdercus cingulatus (F.), the latter is widely distributed in India and some other countries. The sigilla of the podonotum and opisthonotum are also described for the first time in this mite.

Abstract Nothrotrombidium birjandensis sp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Trombellidae) collected from forest soils (off host) in Hotel Kouhestan region, Birjand city, Khorasan Jonoobi province (South Khorasan province), Iran, is described and illustrated. This is the third larval species of Nothrotrombidium which is described in the world. A key to world larval species of Nothrotrombidium is provided.

Abstract Cicaditrombium lorestanensis Noei sp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Trombidiidae) collected from forest soils (off host) in Hotel Kouhestan region, Birjand city, South Khorasan province, and also collected from soil samples (off host) from under an apple tree in the Bayranshahr city, Lorestan province, Iran, is described. This is the second larval species of Cicaditrombium which is described in the world.

Abstract During survey for the pests of Buxus plants in Bandar Gaz, Golestan province, Iran, Eriophyes canestrinii (Nalepa, 1890) was collected on Buxus sempervirens hyrcana (Pojarkova) Tachtadzjan (Buxaceae) and recorded for the first time in Iran. High population of this mite species made damage on the host plant as buds and leaves deformation. Herein Iranian specimens of this mite species was presented and a key to the eriophyoid mite species collected on boxes worldwide and the information about their morphology, type host, type locality and habitus are provided.

Abstract A new species of the genus Ledermuelleriopsis, L. aminiae sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on female and male specimens collected from soil under oak trees, Karchan region, Markazi province, Iran.

Abstract The acaricidal activity of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (strain GHA), three essential plant oils namely, neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), mahogany (Swietenia mahogoni L.) and karanja (Millettia pinnata L.), and two insect growth regulators (buprofezin and lufenuron)  were evaluated against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch under laboratory conditions by leaf disc bioassay method. Results revealed that B. bassiana was highly effective in controlling T. urticae adults causing mortality from 3 days after treatment application. Among the plant oils tested, karanja and mahogany oils were found most effective against T. urticae and both the oils showed significantly better performance compared to all other treatments (P < 0.05). Although neem oil showed comparatively lower toxicity than other plant oils, it was more effective than both the IGRs, buprofezin and lufenuron. However, all the treatments were found effective in controlling T. urticae populations and the study, therefore, suggested that the selected treatments could be considered for biorational management of the T. urticae.

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the infestation of Zebu cattle by ixodid ticks in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. A total of 500 cattle were examined and adult ticks were collected from five different body parts for morphological identification. Our results indicate that 59.8% of cattle were infested with ixodid ticks and the differences in prevalence of tick infestation between study sites, breeds and management systems were significant (p < 0.05). The intensity of tick infestation between study sites and age of cattle were also significantly different (p < 0.05). Amblyomma, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus, including the subgenus R. (Boophilus) were the main genera of ixodid ticks identified in the study. Furthermore, the total number of ticks collected shows that A. variegatum (798 ind.; 37.7%) prevailed, followed by R. sanguineus sensu lato (473 ind.; 22.3%), R. (Boophilus) decoloratus (453 ind.; 21.4%) and H. truncatum (395 ind.; 18.6%). The prevalence of mixed infestation (40.6%) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of single infestations. Most of the ticks were collected from the perineum (46.2%) and base of tail (39.3%). Amblyomma variegatum was more common at the base of tail (48.0%) while R. sanguineus s.l. (53.9%), R. (Boophilus) decoloratus (48.3%) and H. truncatum (46.8%) were mostly collected from the perineum. Cattle from Gwange had significantly (p < 0.05) higher burden of H. truncatum (4.2 ± 2.8) than those from Gidan madara (1.7 ± 1.1), and had significantly (p < 0.05) higher burden of R. (Boophilus) decoloratus (5.2 ± 4.0) than those from the Abattoir (2.4 ± 1.1) and Gidan madara (1.8 ± 1.1). Our results were discussed in relation to the control of ticks, and epidemiology of the associated tick borne diseases (TBDs) in Maiduguri and environs.