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Nothrotrombidium sadeghii Noei and Kohansal sp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Trombellidae) ectoparasitic on Erebidae, Noctuidae, Geometridae, Plutellidae (Lepidoptera) and Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) in Hotel Kouhestan and Band-e dareh regions, Chahardeh, Chahkand, Chahkandan, Esfahrood, Giuk, Noferest, Rach and Razg villages, Birjand city, South Khorasan province, Iran, is described and illustrated. A key to world larval species of Nothrotrombidium is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New records of water mites from Iran and Turkey revealed by DNA barcoding are presented. DNA barcodes were recovered from 44 water mite specimens morphologically assigned to 18 species. The DNA barcoding data for the twelve species were uploaded into the BOLD database. One species of the Hygrobates longiporus-complex, H. thori Pešić & Smit sp. nov. is described as new for science and Hydrodroma persicaPešić & Saboori, 2012 is reported as new for Turkey. We propose to lower the taxonomic status of Hydrodroma golestanica to a subspecies of H. torrenticola, i.e. H. torrenticola golestanicanov. stat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic factors, such as temperature, humidity, soil elements, along with biotic factors affect terrestrial arthropod communities. Since the application of agricultural fertilizers with the entrance of different elements causes changes in the soil physicochemical conditions, fertilizers may cause fluctuation in the population density of edaphic arthropods. Given this opinion, in this research, the effect of common fertilizers on the population fluctuation and distribution pattern of the predatory mite Leitneria pugio (Karg) was investigated. The experimental treatments were granular urea fertilizer with two doses (200 and 400 kg per ha), poultry manure, zinc sludge (to simulate the accumulation of zinc sulfate fertilizer in the soil), and control in five blocks. Humidity, pH, temperature, NO3– and NO2–, and elements (organic Carbon, K, Na, P, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, Zn, and As) of soil were measured, and their relationship with the predatory mite population was determined by Pearson correlation coefficient. Iwao's patchiness, Taylor's power law, and Morisita's coefficient of dispersion were used for determining the spatial distribution pattern of L. pugio. The spatial pattern of L. pugio was aggregated, and the highest population density of the predator was observed in December in zinc sludge and control treatments, and in May, in zinc sludge treatment, on the average 60, 35, and 110 per m2, respectively. The relationship between mite's population and Cu and Pb was significantly positive, and L. pugio had a significantly negative relationship with P, NO3– and soil temperature. Nevertheless, the application of different fertilizers did not affect the spatial distribution pattern of the predator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, larva of Abrolophus bochkovisp. nov. collected from Qazvin province is described and illustrated. A key to larval species of Abrolophus of the world with a comb-like seta on the palpal tarsus is presented. Moreover, A. karamani Haitlinger & Šundić, is considered as a junior synonym of A. aitapensis (Southcott 1948). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new phyllocoptine species and two eriophyine species collected in Norther-West Iran are described and illustrated: Aculops shalchii Lotfollahi sp. nov. (Phyllocoptinae) from Sweet Clover, Melilotus indicus (L.) All. (Fabaceae), Eriophyes euphorbiae (Nalepa, 1891) from Euphorbia boissieriana (Woronow) Prokh. (Euphorbiaceae) and Aceria rubiae (Canestrini, 1897) from Rubia tinctorum L. (Rubiaceae). Our supplementary data on morphology of A. rubiae and E. euphorpbiae indicate that they both have a thin translucent supracapitular plate situated below the frontal lobe of the prodorsal shield. Data from literature suggest A. rubiae and E. euphorbiae to be gall-forming species, however no visible damages causing by these mites were found in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larva, deutonymph and adult of Calyptostoma seemani Masoumi & Saboori sp. nov. (Trombidiformes: Calyptostomatidae) are described from the Kandovan region, Alborz province, Iran. Larvae were reared from eggs laid by adults kept at room temperature in plastic pots. A key to larval and post-larval species of Calyptostoma of the world and corrections in the description of C. gorganica are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water mites of the Hygrobates fluviatilis complex are common in Palaearctic inhabiting mainly running and slowly flowing waters. In this study, we examined the specimens collected in a stream in Golestan Province of Iran which is currently the easternmost distribution limit of the latter species complex. We used a fragment of the mtDNA COI gene and the D2 region of 28S rDNA to test the genetic structure. Molecular analyses revealed presence of two new well-supported species with a mean genetic divergence of 12.80% and 14.66% COI, respectively, from their closest relatives. Phylogenetic analysis based on COI and nuclear DNA data placed H. grabowskiisp. nov. as the sister species of H. persicus, and H. uliisp. nov. as the sister species of H. turcicus. Discriminant statistical analysis revealed that the two newly discovered species could be separated on the basis of morphometric characters, but robust morphological differences were not found. Yet we were able to show that diversity in water mites is underestimated and that species delimitation requires an integrative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraguild predation (IGP) consists of interacting individuals with context dependent roles that compete for food. Information about the predator trophic interactions i.e. cannibalism or feeding on heterospecific juveniles, is a key to understand the real impact of their combinations when introduced in biological control systems. The hypothesis here, assumed that the pairwise introduction of the female predatory mites, N. californicus (predator) + P. persimilis (heterospecific prey) and vice versa, A. swirskii (predator) + P. persimilis (heterospecific prey) and vice versa could exist in the Tetranychus urticae (main prey) scarcity. Three diets consisted of either conspecific or heterospecific six eggs, four eggs + four larvae and four protonymphs were introduced to the guilds. The predation and oviposition rates and the longevity of each female intraguild predator on detached bean leaf disc was recorded every three hours for 12 consecutive days. Neoseiulus californicus predation rate was estimated to be highest on conspecific eggs + larvae (11.35 ± 1.12) and so was on those of P. persimilis (55.7 ± 3.42). No significant difference was observed in N. californicus oviposition rate on three conspecific diets (P > 0.05), while its oviposition rate was highest on P. persimilis eggs + larvae (7.15 ± 0.80). Phytoseiulus persimilis predation rate was estimated to be highest on eggs + larvae both on N. californicus and P. persimilis as prey. Its oviposition rate was estimated to be highest when feeding on conspecific eggs (2.25 ± 0.19) and N. californicus eggs + larvae. Amblyseius swirskii fed on 45 ± 2.79 P. persimilis and 12.90 ± 1.51 A. swirskii eggs + larvae, which was significantly higher than predation rates on other stages (P < 0.01). Amblyseius swirskii oviposition rate was not significantly different on each of the three diets or on A. swirskii or P. persimilis as prey (P > 0.05). The oviposition rate of P. persimilis was the highest on A. swirskii eggs + larvae (1.45 ± 0.19). When N. californicus fed on each of the three diet types, no significant difference was observed in its longevity. The greatest longevity of P. persimilis was recorded when feeding on N. californicus/P. persimilis eggs. Longevity of A. swirskii was the greatest on P. persimilis eggs and protonymphs. Similarly, P. persimilis had the greatest longevity feeding on A. swirskii eggs. We concluded that the predator species were capable of surviving under conditions of scarce prey when heterospecific species are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes transmit a wide range of vector-borne diseases to humans and animal. Due to the increase in insecticide resistance, there is a need for novel mosquito vector control programs, including biocontrol. Some water mite larvae, such as those of Arrenurus genus, act as parasites of mosquitoes. Mosquito larvae, pupae and adults were collected from three locations in Amol County, Iran by dipping and hand-catch collection methods, from May to late September 2015. Then mites were removed from mosquitoes and identified to genus level using valid identification keys. A total of 873 adults of anopheline mosquitoes belonging to three species (Anopheles maculipennis s.lat., An. pseudopictus and An. hyrcanus) were collected. We only found Arrenurus sp. mites. From 873 anopheline mosquitoes captured, 11% were parasitized by 151 mites, with a mean rate of 1.59, ranging from 1 to 14. Parasitism was higher in lowlands. Water mites, as biocontrol agents of vectors, could impact fecundity, fertility and induce other harms on host. As this study is the first research on water mite parasitism on mosquitoes in Iran, more detailed studies are needed to increase our knowledge on biology and ecology of water mites parasitizing mosquitoes in Amol and other areas in Caspian sea region in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Ceuthothrombium Robaux, Webb & Campbell, 1976 is redefined based on data of the original description and a new species from Jahrom, Iran. The discovery of a new species from Iran showed a variation between characters considered for the genus and some new features were considered as well. Also,Ceuthothrombium scolopendraesp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Neothrombiidae) is described and illustrated, as an ectoparasite of the centipede Scolopendra canidens Newport (Scolopendromorpha: Scolopendridae) from Jahrom, southern Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Varroa destructor is a major ectoparasitic mite which feeds on the western honey bee, Apis mellifera hemolymph. Morphometric analysis of V. destructor in Iran was performed in order to detect differences within some populations of the species. Totally, 145 female mites were collected from A.mellifera colonies in different geographical regions in Iran and Europe (Spain and France). Eight morphological variables were measured: 1) length of dorsal shield (LDS), 2) width of dorsal shield (WDS), 3) length of genital shield (LGS), 4) width of genital shield (WGS), 5) length of metapodal shield (LMS), 6) width of metapodal shield (WMS), 7) length of anal shield (LAS) and 8) width of the anal shield (WAS). The ratios of LDS/WDS, WDS/LDS, LGS/WGS and LAS/WAS were also calculated. Multivariate analyses demonstrated significant differences in means of body length (LDS) and body width (WDS) between populations. Using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis with pair group method, five morphological groups were established. PCA analyses were also shown one morphotype, A3, between samples. Collectively, our findings suggest a wide phenotypic plasticity within the populations of Varroa mite in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collemboerythraeus izadpanahi sp. nov. (Acariformes: Erythraeidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on unidentified springtails (unfortunately hosts got lost and therefore could not be identified) (Hexapoda: Collembola: Sminthuridae), from Simkan region, Jahrom city, Fars province, Iran. The generic diagnosis of the genus Collemboerythraeus and key to world genera of larval Erythraeinae are amended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new species of Cunaxa, C. iranica Paktinat-Saeij, Bagheri & Castro sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on female, male and tritonymph collected from Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. The female, male and nymphal stages of Armascirus hastus Shiba, 1986 are redescribed based on Iranian specimens. In addition, the species Cunaxa gordeevae Sergeyenko, 2009 and Rubroscirus khaustovi Sergeyenko, 2006 are recorded for the first time from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper four water mite species of the genus Atractides Koch, 1837 (Acari, Hygrobatidae) from Iran are described as new to science. Three of these have a complicated taxonomic history with misidentification and/or confusion. The populations from Iran provisionally assigned by Pešić et al. (2004) to Atractides lunipes Lundblad, 1956 is described as A. zagrosensis sp. nov. The male specimen from Bakhtiari Province, originally assigned by Pešić et al. (2004) to A. fluviatilis (Szalay, 1929) is described as A. bakhtiari sp. nov. Two of the new species belong to the nodipalpis-species group. The populations of the latter group in Iran were analysed using canonical discriminant analyses. Morphological analysis focused on morphometric characters helped us to resolve issues within this group of species and to correct the previous misidentifications. Atractides farsensis sp. nov. is a sister species of A. robustus (Sokolow, 1940) and is described from Fars province. The male specimen from Kerman province originally assigned by Asadi et al. (2003) to A. nodipalpis Thor, 1899 is here described as A. kljajici sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Neobonzia, N. panahiae Paktinat-Saeij, Bagheri & Castro sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on the female and tritonymph from soil and humus on citrus tree in the Mazandaran province, Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Sphaerotarsus Womersley, 1936, S. quercus sp. nov., is described from larvae collected in an Oak ( Quercus spp.) forest in Shiraz, Iran. This is only the third species of Sphaerotarsus known as larvae and is the first time the genus is reported from outside of Australia. A key is given to the world species of larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Montenegtrombium, M. baloutchi sp. nov. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae), is described from Kandovan region, Alborz Province, Iran. The larval mites were collected as ectoparasites of three grasshopper hosts including Acridia sp., Oedipoda schochii Brunner von Wattenwyl and Chorthippus brunneus (Thunberg) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnosis of the genus Nagoricanella Haitlinger, 2009 is modified and a redescription of N. bella (Zhang, 1996) comb. nov. collected from larvae ectoparasitic on an unknown species of dipteran fly (Diptera: Heleomyzidae) from Manshad and Madavar villages, Mehriz city, Yazd Province, Iran is presented. A key to the world larval species of Nagoricanella is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Blattisocius Keegan, 1944 is described based on adult females collected from rotting sawdust in Semnan Province, Iran. Blattisocius damghaniae sp. nov. can be distinguished from other species of the genus by some characters, e.g. presence of 33 pairs of relatively short setae on dorsal shield, including z1 and s2; sternal shield longer than wide; ventrianal shield with almost parallel lateral margins, somewhat as wide as epigynal shield, with only three pairs of preanal setae; peritremes short; cheliceral fixed digit slightly shorter than movable digit, with three teeth; movable digit unidentate; genu I with 12 setae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Momorangia binaloudensis Noei and Saboori sp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae) is described and illustrated from larvae, ectoparasitic on a moth, Apamea impedita (Christoph) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Iran. A key to larval species of the genus Momorangia is provided and the generic diagnosis is amended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atractothrombium amirkabiri sp. nov., Ettmuelleria zahediae sp. nov. and Microtrombidium fumani sp. nov. of the subfamily Microtrombidiinae Thor, 1935 are described from Guilan province, northern Iran. Moreover, Enemothrombium culicoidium (Vercammen-Grandjean and Cochrane, 1974) of the subfamily Valgothrombiinae Gabryś, 1999 and Empitrombium makolae Sevsay & Karakurt, 2013 of the Microtrombidiidae incertae sedis are reported for the first time from Iran. All species were collected from soil samples (off host) in a forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinibdella tabarii Paktinat-Saeej & Bagheri sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Amol city, Mazandaran province, Iran. Worldwide distributions and differential characters of all Spinibdella are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effect of three diets consisting of eggs and adults of two forms of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on the rate of predation, rate of oviposition, and development of the predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The diet types consisted of T. urticae red form eggs/adults (type a), green form eggs/adults, (type b) and mixed red and green form eggs/adults (type c). The form of eggs did not have an effect on the rate of predation, nor did the forms of adults with the exception of more predation on mixed forms on the third day of the experiment and on both red and mixed forms on the second day. The rate of oviposition did not differ between N. californicus provided different forms of eggs as prey on the second day, but on the third day, there was a significantly higher rate of oviposition associated with diet types a, and c. There was no effect on rate of oviposition when N. californicus fed on adult prey. When T. urticaeeggs and adults were provided pairwise, N. californicus produced significantly more eggs when fed eggs of diet types a and c on both the second and third days of the experiment, while feeding on eggs and adults of the diet type b resulted in no difference in rate of oviposition. Moreover, preying on red T. urticae or on red and mixed T. urticae resulted in the slowest development of the protonymph and deutonymph stages, while the duration of larval stages were similar across all types of diets. The benefits of each diet and the capacity of N. californicusto control both forms of T. urticae are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on synonymy in the genus Trichotrombidium lectotype and paralectotypes deposited in the South Australian Museum (SAM). It mentions number of normal and specialized setae on legs, idiosoma, and gnathosoma were counted. It mentions specimens were detached by insect pin preserved in ethanol, cleared in Nesbitt's solution and mounted using Faure medium on a microscopic slide.

Many studies have shown that the composition of invertebrate communities in soil changes under the influence of stressors in the soil ecosystem. Conversely, an observed altered community structure may be indicative of stress. In this study we aimed to investigate responses of oribatid mite communities to heavy metal (zinc, copper and cadmium) contamination of grasslands nearby a lead and zinc smelting plant at Zanjan, Iran. Soil analysis showed that the Zanjan plant is a major source of zinc and cadmium in the area. No relationship could be found between metal pollution and total density of oribatids, but the number of species and the Shannon diversity index were lowest in the sites polluted by zinc and cadmium. Species diversity was significantly negatively correlated with zinc and cadmium, but not with copper concentrations. Oribatula (Zygoribatula) connexa connexaBerlese, 1904, was a dominant species at all sites; the percentage dominance of this species was highest at the most polluted site. Our survey confirms that oribatid mite communities display a great variety of responses to heavy metals, depending on the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larvae of Paratrombium farnazae sp. nov. (Acari: Trombidiidae) were collected from soil samples (off their host) in forests in Roodbar and Rezvanshahr cities, and larval P. megalochirum (Berlese, 1910) were collected as ectoparasites of Tetramorium sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Fuman city. All sites are in Guilan province, northern Iran. The new species is described and illustrated, and is the first recorded larva of Paratrombium with a bipectinate medial seta on coxae II and III in the world. Also, we report a species of the genus Paratrombiumin Iran for the first time and as an ectoparasite of the family Formicidae for the second time. A key to world larvae of Paratrombium is provided and the generic diagnosis is amended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Paraneognathus, P. iranicus sp. nov. is described based on females and a deutonymph collected from soil and leaf litter under citrus trees in Mazandaran province. A key to all known species of the genus Paraneognathus is provided. Also Eustigmaeus plumifer (Halbert, 1923) collected from soil of apple orchards in East Azerbaijan province, is re-described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podothrombium zlatarum sp. nov. (Acari: Podotrombidiidae) is described and illustrated from larvae collected from herbaceous plants on the Zlatar mountain (West Serbia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patch departure decision is influenced by different factors such as progeny prey needs. Here, we tested developmental time, oviposition rate and patch leaving strategies in two phytoseiid predators, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus when their diets consisted of spider mite eggs with and without pollen. Gradual decreasing trend in developmental times was obvious by increasing the number of prey eggs in both predators. Immature P. persimilis and N. californicus needed at least six spider mite eggs to reach adulthood. Predation rates of P. persimilis and N. californicus increased (6 to 24.4 and 6 to 21.9 respectively) with increasing the number of available spider mite eggs from 6 to 25. We recorded no significant differences in the developmental times and oviposition rates neither for P. persimilis nor for N. californicus after adding pollen to the predators' diet. Our experiments showed that both predator species left enough prey for their progeny before leaving patch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Favognathus, F. farshchiani sp. nov., is described and illustrated, and Eryngiopus affinis Barilo, 1987 is recorded for the first time from Iran and re-described. Favognathus farshchiani sp. nov., were collected from soil under the trees of berry ( Morus alba), apricot ( Prunus armeniaca) and elm ( Ulmus sp.)in various orchards and fields. Eryngiopus affinis were collected from the soil of berry orchards, Isfahan province, Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythraeus ( Zaracarus) hafezi Saboori, Hakimitabar & Mahmoudi sp. nov. is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on various insects collected in Shiraz city, Fars Province, Iran. A key to world species of Erythraeus ( Zaracarus) larvae is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoaspis alborzensis Razavi Susan & Joharchi sp. nov. and H. rhinocerotis Oudemans, 1925 were collected on adult female Oryctes sp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in Karaj, Alborz province, Iran. The new species is described and illustrated from adult females. Hypoaspis rhinocerotis is reported for the first time from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]