Explore the vast range of titles available.

The phoretic mites are attached with various body parts of the insects viz., head, thorax, abdomen, acarinarium, legs, wings and antennae. The relationship is purely temporary and the mites opted mainly for the transportation. The phoretic mites are distributed almost all parts of the world. In this study, we describe one new species, Uroobovella tripophinae Sp. Nov. (Acarina: Uropodidae) phoretic attachment on grass hopper Trilophidia turpis Walker (Acrididae: Orthoptera) from Tamil Nadu, India. The attachment is purely phoretic and it attached on the thoracic region of grasshopper. Two long pectinate setae (distally) are present at the posterior end of idiosoma in the new species as against serrate in Uroobovella passalaephorae and Uroobovella bassilianae. The Uroobovella tripophinae is distributed in the tropical region of Tamil Nadu, India.

The functional responses of Oligota flavicornis (Boisduval & Lacordaire) (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) preying on the eggs of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) were examined at seven constant temperature settings (12, 15, 18, 22, 25, 30, and 32°C) to elucidate the predator–prey interactions between them. Logistic regression showed that O. flavicornis exhibited type II functional responses to T. urticae eggs at different temperatures. The reciprocal of handling time declined exponentially with warming, and the search rate presented a single hump-shaped relationship with temperature. For the search rate, the lower temperature thresholds were 9.1°C (linear) and 8.7°C (Briere). The optimal temperature and upper temperature threshold were 29.1 and 37.8°C for Logan and 29.7 and 35.8°C for Briere, respectively. The predation threshold window of O. flavicornis reached 27.1°C with a range of 8.7–35.8°C. The predator could consume 244.7–388.4 T. urticae eggs in a day in the optimal temperature range (18–32°C). The voracious predatory behavior of O. flavicornis against T. urticae eggs over a broad temperature range indicates that the predator shows promise as a potential biological control agent and that temperature-dependent predation could be a basis for formulating strategies to control tetranychid mites. Graphical Abstract

Climate change will bring more drought periods that will have an impact on the irrigation practices of some crops like tomato, from standard water regime to deficit irrigation. This will promote changes in plant metabolism and alter their interactions with biotic stressors. We have tested if mild or moderate drought-stressed tomato plants (simulating deficit irrigation) have an effect on the biological traits of the invasive tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi. Our data reveal that T evansi caused more leaf damage to drought-stressed tomato plants (≥1.5 fold for both drought scenarios). Mite performance was also enhanced, as revealed by significant increases of eggs laid (≥2 fold) at 4 days post infestation (dpi), and of mobile forms (≥2 fold and 1.5 fold for moderate and mild drought, respectively) at 10 dpi. The levels of several essential amino acids (histidine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, valine) and free sugars in tomato leaves were significantly induced by drought in combination with mites. The non-essential amino acid proline was also strongly induced, stimulating mite feeding and egg laying when added to tomato leaf disks at levels equivalent to that estimated on drought-infested tomato plants at 10 dpi. Tomato plant defense proteins were also affected by drought and/or mite infestation, but T. evansi was capable of circumventing their potential adverse effects. Altogether, our data indicate that significant increases of available free sugars and essential amino acids, jointly with their phagostimulant effect, created a favorable environment for a better T. evansi performance on drought-stressed tomato leaves. Thus, drought-stressed tomato plants, even at mild levels, may be more prone to T evansi outbreaks in a climate change scenario, which might negatively affect tomato production on area-wide scales.

Amblyomma birmitum sp. nov. is formally described as a new record from 99 Ma old Burmese amber from Myanmar. This confirms the presence of the extant hard tick genus Amblyomma C.L. Koch, 1844 (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the Late Cretaceous. This discovery is placed in its wider context and some reports of fossil hard ticks, such as a Hyalomma C.L. Koch, 1844 in Eocene Baltic amber, are misidentifications. The genus Amblyomma belongs to the clade Metastriata, a group which probably also accommodates two extinct genera, Cornupalpatum Poinar and Brown, 2003 and Compluriscutata Poinar and Buckley, 2008, also found in Burmese amber. All three fossils are thus only a little younger than published molecular divergence time estimates (ca. 124 ± 17 Ma) for the Metastriata lineage. Amblyomma has a largely Gondwanan distribution today. However, in some biogeographical scenarios, e.g. the Samafrica model, its predicted radiation time postdates the dissolution of the original Gondwana supercontinent raising questions about how its current distribution pattern was achieved.

Unsustainable soil management is one of the drivers of soil degradation, but impact assessment requires the development of indicators. Oribatids might be considered as early indicators of disturbances due to the stability of their community. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of oribatids as bioindicators of sustainable agricultural practices. Under a dry Mediterranean climate, three fertilization experiments – two under a two-crop rotation system and one under maize monoculture and established 12 years earlier – were sampled 3× for oribatid identification during the last annual cropping cycle. The hypothesis was that different nutrient and crop managements affect the number of oribatid species and individuals present, and these parameters could be used as indicators of soil degradation. In total, 18 oribatid species were identified, and 1974 adult individuals were recovered. Maximum abundance was found prior to sowing. Pig slurry (PS) vs. control, and dairy cattle manure (CM) vs. mineral fertilization increased oribatid abundance. This increase was evident when the average applied rates with PS were ca. 2 Mg of organic matter (OM) ha− 1 yr− 1, or higher than ca. 4 Mg OM ha− 1 yr− 1 for CM. When the preceding crop was wheat and PS or CM were used, Oribatula (Zygoribatula) excavata (which reproduces sexually) predominated. In maize monoculture fertilized with CM, Tectocepheus sarekensis and Acrotritia ardua americana (which can reproduce through parthenogenesis) prevailed vs. Oribatula, which indicated a heavily disturbed soil. Under this specific Mediterranean environment, the predominance of certain parthenogenic oribatid species and the number of individuals provide advanced warning on soil degradation.

Proctophyllodes huitzilopochtlii Atyeo & Braasch 1966 (Acariformes: Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae), a feather mite, was found on feathers collected from five hummingbird species in California. This mite has not been previously documented on feathers from Anna's (Calypte anna [Lesson 1829]) or Black-chinned (Archilochus alexandri [Bourcier & Mulsant 1846]) Hummingbirds. A total of 753 hummingbirds were evaluated for the presence of mites by species (Allen's n = 112; Anna's n = 500; Black-chinned n = 122; Rufous n = 18; Calliope n = 1), sex (males n = 421; females n = 329; 3 unidentified), and age (juvenile n = 199; after-hatch-year n = 549; 5 unidentified). Of these 753 hummingbirds evaluated, mites were present on the rectrices of 40.9% of the birds. Significantly more Anna's Hummingbirds were positive for rectricial mites (59.2%) compared with 8.2% of Black-chinned, 0.9% of Allen's, 5.6% of Rufous Hummingbirds, and 0% for Calliope (p-value < 0.0001). Across all hummingbird species, male hummingbirds (44.9%) had a higher prevalence of rectricial mites compared to female hummingbirds (36.2%; p-value = 0.004), while juvenile hummingbirds (46.2%) had a non-significantly higher prevalence compared to after-hatch-year hummingbirds (39.0%; p-value = 0.089). On average, the percentage of the long axis of the rachis occupied by mites for the outer rectrices (R4 and R5) was 19%, compared to 11% for inner rectrices (R1 and R2), a significant difference (p-value = <0.0001). There was a marginal lack of significance for symmetrical distribution of tail mites with the mean left side percentage of long axis of the rachis occupied by mites being 16% and very close to the mean right side score of 18% (p-value = 0.003). The identification of the feather mite species was based on light microscopic morphometry, and mite distribution on feathers was further evaluated using tabletop scanning electron microscopy (TSEM). The hummingbird-feather mite relationship is not well understood, but the specialized TSEM technique may be especially useful in examining natural positioning and developmental aspects of the mites since it allows in situ feather examination of live mites.

The effect of cover plants on arthropod functional biodiversity was investigated in a vineyard in Northern Italy, through a 3-year field experiment. The following six ground cover plants were tested: Sweet Alyssum; Phacelia; Buckwheat; Faba Bean; Vetch and Oat; control. Arthropods were sampled using different techniques, including collection of leaves, vacuum sampling and sweeping net. Ground cover plant management significantly affected arthropod fauna, including beneficial groups providing ecosystem services like biological control against pests. Many beneficial groups were attracted by ground cover treatments in comparison with control, showing an aggregative numerical response in the plots managed with some of the selected plant species. Alyssum, Buckwheat and ‘Vetch and Oat’ mixture showed attractiveness on some Hymenoptera parasitoid families, which represented 72.3% of the insects collected by sweeping net and 45.7 by vacuum sampling. Phytoseiidae mites showed a significant increase on leaves of the vineyard plots managed with ground covers, in comparison with control, although they did not show any difference among the treatments. In general, the tested ground cover treatments did not increase dangerous Homoptera populations in comparison with control, with the exception of Alyssum. The potential of ground cover plant management in Italian vineyards is discussed: the overall lack of potential negative effects of the plants tested, combined with an aggregative numerical response for many beneficials, seems to show a potential for their use in Northern Italy vineyards.

The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Acarina: Varroidae) shifted host from Eastern honeybees Apis cerana Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae) to Western honeybees Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) with disastrous consequences globally. The high genetic diversity of V. destructor and abundant opportunities for cross-species transmission probably promoted this host shift. Whether Varroa underwoodi (Acarina: Varroidae) also exhibits these traits is unknown. Here, we conduct a large-scale survey across China on the occurrence, morphology, reproduction, and genetics of V. underwoodi in A. cerana and A. mellifera colonies to fill gaps in our knowledge of this mite and to determine whether host shifts occurred. Despite the large number of colonies screened, V. underwoodi was exclusively found in A. cerana, where it occurred at low infestation rates. Three genetic clades were detected in the V. underwoodi population, which differed neither in morphology nor in reproductive ability. Nevertheless, the genetic diversity of V. underwoodi is likely to increase chances for host shifts, even though opportunities for cross-species transmission seem low. More studies of the neglected Varroa species seem appropriate to enable a better understanding of host shifts in the Apis spp./Varroa spp. system and evaluate the potential risk they pose to apiculture with A. mellifera.

Background This study focused on examining the predatory potential of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi Esben-Peterson (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) against different developmental stages of the red spider mite (RSM) Oligonychus coffeae Nietner (Acarina: Tetranychidae) infesting tea crops, under both free-choice and no-choice scenarios at three different temperature gradients: 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C. Additionally, this study aimed to investigate the functional response parameters of the three larval instars of C. z. sillemi at different developmental stages of O. coffeae at varying population densities. Results The predatory potential of C. z. sillemi significantly increased with higher temperatures and predator stages and decreased with the prey stage in both free-choice and no-choice conditions. In both experimental regimes, all three larval instars showed maximum predation at 25 and 30 °C. All three instars exhibited a significant preference for O. coffeae eggs compared to other stages. The functional response data also indicated that the first, second, and third instars of C. z. sillemi displayed type II functional responses towards each life stage of O. coffeae when offered individually. They showed significantly different attack rates ( a ) and handling times ( T h ) for the various life stages of O. coffeae. Eggs were more frequently attacked, with less handling time, by all three predatory stages of C. z. sillemi . Among the three predatory stages, the third instar larvae of C. z. sillemi showed the highest functional response ratio on eggs (FRR = 1173.35), followed by larvae (872.19), nymphs (287.11), and adults (276.57). The theoretical maximum consumption ( T/T h ) of C. z. sillemi also supported the results obtained for a/T h , indicating that the predatory efficiency of C. z. sillemi decreased with the advancement of the prey stage. Conclusions In conclusion, third-instar larvae of C. z. sillemi consumed significantly higher amounts of all prey stages of O. coffeae at temperatures between 25 and 30 °C in both free- and no-choice conditions. The functional response results suggest that all three larval instars of C. z. sillemi exhibited a type-II response and are efficient regulators of O. coffeae populations. These findings may lead to the development of biocontrol pest management strategies against O. coffeae, by incorporating C. z. sillemi as a potential natural enemy.

The research was conducted in the experimental garden of the Lampung State Polytechnic.. The study was designed using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) arranged in a split plot consisting of two treatment factors with three replications. The first factor is the zeolite soil repairer as the main plot and the second factor is the dose of urea fertilizer as the sub-plot. The main plot is soil repairing treatment which consists of two levels, namely zeolite soil repairer and zeolite soil repairer 0.8 kg.8 m row of plants -1 . Sub-plots were treated with a percentage dose of urea fertilizer which consisted of three levels, namely urea 0.36 kg.8 m row of plants -1 (100%), urea 0.28 kg.8 m row of plants -1 (80%), and urea 0, 31 kg.8 m row of plants -1 (60%). The aim of the study was to obtain soil enhancer, the percentage of N fertilizer, the interaction of soil améliorant and the percentage of N fertilizer, on the abundance of soil mesofauna in sugarcane plant cane. The results showed that the zeolite soil améliorant treatment, the percentage dose of urea fertilizer and the interaction of the zeolite soil enhancer and the percentage dose of urea fertilizer did not show any effect on the mesofauna population, mesofauna diversity index, and soil mesofauna dominance index. Soil mesofauna in various treatments in plant cane sugarcane found five groups of soil mesofauna ( Acarina, Coleoptera, Collembola, Hymenoptera, Symphyla ) and the rest were not included in these five orders. The highest mesofauna population was found in the treatment of zeolite 0.8 kg.8 m row of plants -1 and urea 0.36 kg.8 m row of plants -1 (100%) which was 115 dm-3, while the lowest mesofauna was found in the treatment without soil enhancer zeolite and urea 0.28 kg.8 m juringan-1 (80%) as many as 31 tails.dm-3. Mesofauna diversity index in each treatment was low, namely H’ ranging from 0.81 to 0.98. The mesofauna dominance index in each treatment was close to zero or only dominated by one type of soil mesofauna, the order Acarina. The results showed that there were not significantly different and positively correlated or showed a unidirectional relationship between soil chemical properties and population, diversity index, and soil mesofauna dominance index.