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Leptus (Leptus) mahtabaesp. nov. (Acari: Erythraeidae), collected as an ectoparasite of Mesobuthus rakhshanii (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeast Iran, is described and illustrated based on the morphological characteristics of the larvae. The position of solenidia on Ti II of Charletonia damavandica Karimi Irvanlou, Kamali & Talebi, 2002, is corrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Leptus, L. baspinarisp. nov., is described and illustrated from larvae collected via pitfall traps (off-host) from Akçaova (Seferler) reservoir, Gökbel mountain, Aydin Province, Türkiye. The new species belongs to phalangii species group and killingtoni species subgroup. Leptus dubius Paoli and L. pouryayevalii Hakimitabar, Saboori & Fadaei are reported for the first time from Türkiye, and L. dubius Paoli is redescribed and illustrated based on Turkish specimens. New metric data are given for L. pouryayevalii. Keys to killingtoni, torresianus, dubius, and hospeticus species subgroups are presented, and definitions of dubius, bogoriacus and pasopaicus species subgroups are corrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mites and insects have different kinds of relationships with each other, which is very important to be studied. One of these relationships is parasitism, which is seen between larvae of terrestrial Parasitengona mites (Acari: Trombidiformes) and different active stages of insects. This study aimed to determine parasitic mites associated with the solitary wasps of the family Crabronidae. The presence of mites was investigated on 3247 wasp individuals belonging to 250 species from 53 genera. Among them, 32 specimens representing 23 species were parasitized by Leptus Latreille mite larvae. As a result, a total of 58 mite larvae were detected and two species, Leptus rosellae Haitlinger, 1999 and L. tridentatus Saboori, Hakimitabar & Khademi, 2018, were identified. The latter one has been reported for the first time from Türkiye and all mite-parasitized wasp species are new host records of both mite species. This study is the first record of the parasite-host relationship between the family Crabronidae and the genus Leptus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We provide the first descriptions of the male of Hypoaspis maryamae Joharchi and Halliday and heteromorphic male of Cosmolaelaps rectangularis Sheals, collected on scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and from a Lasius sp. nest (Formicidae), respectively, in Taleqan, Iran. Moreover, we supplement the description of female Hypoaspis maryamae with further morphometric data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine the mites parasitizing aphids in the park and gardens in Aydin city between March 2019 and June 2020. As a result, a total of 1276 mite larvae were collected and 12 species were identified. Eight species, Allothrombium clavatum, A. polikarpi (Trombidiidae), Erythraeus (Erythraeus) phalangoides, E. (E.) uhadi, Erythraeus (Zaracarus) coleopterus, E. (Z.) iranicus, E. (Z.) kurdistaniensis (Erythraeidae) and Lassenia novoseljensis (Tanaupodidae), are new records to the Turkish fauna. The larvae of the mites were ectoparasites of 10 different aphid species: Aphis (Aphis) craccivora, A. (A.) nerii, Aulacorthum (Aulacorthum) solani, Brachycaudus (Appelia) tragopogonis, Hyalopterus pruni, Hyperomyzus (Hyperomyzus) lactucae, Macrosiphoniella (Macrosiphoniella) sanborni, Myzus (Nectarosiphon) persicae, Uroleucon (Uroleucon) sonchi, U. (U.) aeneum (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Erythraeus (E.) ankaraicus was the most common with a rate of 42.4% followed by A. triticium with 22.9% and E.(E.)phalangoideswith 19.7%. Most of the mites were collected from Uroleucon (U.) sonchi with a rate of 69.4%, followed by H. pruni with 8.5% and Aulacorthum (A.) solani with 6.0%. The mites were collected mostly in the spring with 86.9% and of which 51.9% was obtained in May. Allothrombium clavatumis also re-described and some data for collected species are corrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Torrenticola Piersig, 1896 is a common water mite group in the running waters in all biogeographical regions except Antarctica and Australasia. In the present study we used an integrative taxonomic approach by applying partial COI sequences (DNA-barcodes) to describe a new species of the genus Torrenticola, T. dowlingi Pešić sp. nov. from Iran. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to T. laskai Di Sabatino, 2009 from which it differs by the larger dimensions of idiosoma and genital field. The K2P distance that separated the new species from T. laskai was amounted to 3.98%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Empitrombium prasadi Saberi-Riseh & Saboori n. sp. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae) is described and illustrated based on larvae extracted from soil, i.e. off their host. A key to the five species based on larvae is provided and the formula of dorsal idiosomal setae of E. pesici is corrected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of chigger mite, Odontacarus scorpionivorus Stekolnikov and Saboori sp. nov., is described from a scorpion Mesobuthus eupeus (Koch) in the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran. It is the tenth known case of a chigger parasitizing an arthropod. The new species is similar to Odontacarus paradoxus (André) described from a scorpion host in Greece and to a group of Odontacarus species from Transcaucasia, Middle Asia, and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigmaeid mites parasitizing phlebotomine sandflies were collected in Fars province, Southern Iran, during 2016–2017. The present study has revealed records of four species of stigmaeid mites, namely, Eustigmaeus johnstoni, Stigmaeus furcatus, Stigmaeus sinai, and Stigmaeus youngi. Among them, two species S. furcatus and S. youngi are recognized as new records for fauna of Iran. Meanwhile, S. furcatus is new report for mite fauna associated with sandflies in the world (S. furcatus is collected from sandflies for the first time in the world). Also, prevalence of stigmaeid mites on sandflies is evaluated. These parasitic mites were collected from phlebotomine sandflies comprising Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) alexandri (Sinton), P. (Phlebotomus) papatasi (Scopoli), Sergentomyia (Sintonius) clydei (Sinton), Se. (Se.) sintoni Pringle, and Se. (Se.) theodori (Parrot). Moreover, wound scars resulting from mites' activities have been observed on abdomen of infested sandflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leptus (Leptus) darvishi Saboori, Hakimitabar & Khademi n. sp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) is described and illustrated from larval stage. It was collected ectoparasitic on undetermined grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) and undetermined beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae and Tenebrionidae) from the vicinity of Komaijan and Mahallat cities, Markazi Province, the centre of Iran. It belongs to a group of species of Leptus (Leptus) with one palpal femoral seta, two palpal genual setae, more than four setae between coxae II & III, and more than two sternal setae between coxae II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two prominent pest species, the Onion thrips,Thrips tabaciLindeman and the two-spotted spider miteTetranychus urticaeKoch frequently co-occur in greenhouse crops. The generalist predator,Neoseiulus californicus(McGregor), is able to prey on both pest species; however, the presence of bothT. tabaciandT. urticaemay result in a preference of one prey species releasing the other prey species from predation. Thus,N. californicusprotonmyphs, deutonymphs and females were simultaneously offered 1stT. tabaciinstar larvae and differentT. urticaedevelopmental stages (larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs, and adult females) to evaluate the prey preference and prey consumption rates ofN. californicusand the body size ratios of predator and prey.Neoseiulus californicuspreferred to prey onT. urticaeimmatures. In contrast, allN. californicusdevelopmental stages switched fromT. urticaetoT. tabaci, whenT. urticaefemales were present, althoughT. urticaefemales were smaller than 1stT. tabaciinstar larvae. Our results showed thatN. californicuspredators mainly preferT. urticaeas prey and consumptive effects ofN. californicusonT. tabaciin the presence ofT. urticaeshould be very low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charletonia farajiisp. nov. is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Lowshan, Rudbar and Rostamabad cities, Guilan province, Iran. It is the fourth species of the genus with two setae between coxae II and III and solenidion placed in proximal half of genu I. Also, it is the second species with this feature from Iran. A key to larval species of Charletonia with two intercoxalae II and III and solenidion placed in proximal half of genu I is presented. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:E78B4784-6BB5-4CD1-87A6-677D2193AD3E [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Charletonia behshahriensis Hakimitabar and Saboori sp. nov. (Acari: Erythraeidae) is described from Behshahr city, Mazandaran province, Iran. A key to larval species of Charletonia with two intercoxalae II and III is presented. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C4860435-1673-4CC0-A24F-AF0247C5E84C [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The life history and predation rate of the predatory mite,Typhlodromus bagdasarjaniWainstein & Arutunjan, fed on the eggs of two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticaeKoch, were studied for both females and males under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1°C, 75 ± 5% Relative Humidity (RH) and 16Light (L) : 8Dark (D) hour photoperiod. According to the age-stage, two-sex life table, the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0), gross reproductive rate (GRR) and mean generation time (T) were 0.143 day−1, 1.154 day−1, 12.91 offspring, 16.7 offspring and 17.8 days, respectively. Moreover, the number ofT. urticaeeggs consumed by different stages/sexes ofT. bagdasarjaniwas estimated using the age-stage, two-sex life table and indicated that the consumption rates increased from nymph to adult in both sexes. Also, our results showed that females consumed prey eggs 22 times more than males. The net predation rate (C0) and transformation rate from prey population to predator offspring (Qp) were 885.91 mite eggs and 68.62, respectively. The results showed thatT. bagdasarjanican successfully survive and reproduce onT. urticaeeggs on rose. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hexabdella persiaensisPaktinat Saeej and Bagherisp. nov.is described and illustrated from Amol city, Mazandaran province, Iran. This is the first species of this genus described from Asia. An updated key to all species of the genusHexabdellais also presented. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3BA520C7-E2D7-4387-80CB-E2BA17590B3F [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Two new species of the family Stigmaeidae namely,Stigmaeus isfahaniensissp. nov.andCheylostigmaeus sepasgosarianisp. nov.collected from soil and leaf litter underPinussp. (Pinaceae) andArmenian bulgur(Itch) are illustrated and described. LSIDurn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CEB7D976-DE97-4A94-9B07-BAC0326BCC04 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper reports on five species of mites of the genus Laelaspis associated with ants in Iran – Laelaspis astronomicus (Koch) from Tapinoma simrothi, Laelaspis equitans (Michael) from Messor sp. and Camponotus sp., Laelaspis kamalii Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Tapinoma sp., Laelaspis pennatus Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Tetramorium caespitum, and Laelaspis persicus Joharchi and Halliday sp. nov. from Pheidole pallidula. Laelaspis imitatus Reitblat has also been reported from Iran, in association with an unknown insect. A key to species of Laelaspis occurring in the Western Palaearctic Region is presented, with a summary of their host associations and biology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The effect of either untreated or treated adults of the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) by Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) DEBI008 at 1×106 (conidia/ml) was investigated on developmental stages and life table parameters of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) under laboratory conditions. Four time intervals (0, 24, 48 and 72 h post-inoculation of spider mites) were considered for studying the predator characteristics as different treatments. Duration of each life stage, longevity, reproduction rate, intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m ), net reproductive rate (R 0), mean generation time (T) and finite rate of increase (λ) of the P. persimilis were calculated on both untreated and B. bassiana treated spider mite adults. Data analysis showed that longevity and fecundity of predatory mites fed on untreated and treated mites (time interval 0) were higher in comparison with other time intervals after inoculation. The entomopathogenic fungus adversely affected longevity and fecundity of the predatory mite. Fertility life table parameters of predatory mites fed on T. urticae treated by B. bassiana at different time intervals showed that T, R 0, λ and r m are strongly affected by the fungus presence and these parameters had significant differences among time treatments. The least r m value was observed in the time interval of 72 h post-inoculation. The fitness of T. urticae was affected by B. bassiana 24, 48 and 72 h post-inoculation of mite adults, and consequently it caused decreased longevity of P. persimilis and accordingly a decrease in the intrinsic rate of natural increase of the predator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allothrombium pulvinum is a predatory mite capable of controlling aphid pests in agricultural and natural ecosystems. In this study, proteinase, carbohydrase and lipase activities were determined in the mite's gut using general and specific substrates, inhibitors and activators. The adult mites were dissected and their guts were removed and used as the enzyme source after homogenization and centrifugation. Gut pH of 5.3 was obtained in adults using pH dye indicators. Gut extracts showed an optimum proteolysis activity against haemoglobin under acidic condition (pH 3). The most effective inhibitor of proteinase activity was the cysteine proteinase inhibitor, E-64 [l-trans-leucylamido-(4-guanidino)-butane]. The optimum pH for acidic proteinase activity; the inhibition of proteinase activity by E-64; and increased proteinase activity in the presence of the activator l-cysteine revealed the presence of acidic proteinases, specifically cysteine proteinases, in the mite gut. Proteinase zymogram analysis showed at least three bands of proteinase activity in the gut extract. α-Amylase was optimally active against starch substrate at pH 5. The maximum activity of glucosidases (α and β) and galactosidases (α and β) occurred at pH 5 and pH 4, respectively. Zymogram analysis revealed at least two bands of activity for α-glucosidase and one band of activity for β-glucosidase. Lipase activity was also determined at pH 2–8 and the activity increased under alkaline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We studied the genetic diversity of Hygrobates fluviatilis collected from two different types of habitats (springs and streams) based on 653 bp sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Among 39 individuals collected from Iran, the Netherlands and Germany, 29 haplotypes were found. Deviation between the two types of habitats was not found, suggesting frequent gene flow between these habitats. Haplotypes from the same countries formed each clade, and a large genetic distance was found between the samples from different countries, which poses a question about the existence of cryptic species in the populations of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of five cotton cultivars (Varamin, Mehr, Bakhtegan, Sahel, Saiokra) on the fitness of Tetranychus urticae was assessed by determining the developmental time and fertility life-table parameters for mites on leaf discs at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 16:8 hours light:dark photoperiod. To investigate this effect, the duration of each life stage, longevity, reproduction rate and fertility life-table parameters including intrinsic rate of natural increase (r m), net reproductive rate (R 0), mean generation time (T), doubling time (DT) and finite rate of increase (λ) of the two-spotted spider mite on different cotton cultivars were calculated. The results indicated that the Varamin cultivar was the most suitable one for two-spotted spider mite among the tested plants because of its shorter immature developmental period and higher reproduction and intrinsic rate of natural increase, whereas Bakhtegan was the least suitable cultivar because of the longer immature developmental time and the lowest reproduction rate and intrinsic rate of natural increase. The lowest r m value suggests an antibiosis resistance in this cultivar in comparison with other cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original description, particularly the leg chaetotaxy, was imperfect so we redescribe Caraboacarus krczali Eidelberg, 1994 (Acari: Heterostigmata: Caraboacaridae) associated with Calosoma auropunctatum Gebler, 1833 (Coleoptera: Carabidae). This is the first record of the species from Iran and Senegal. The host specificity and distribution of this species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the species of Smaris maraghehiensis from Iran. Its name is derived from the city of Maragheh. Its palp femur and genu has one barbed seta, while its palp tibia has one barbed and one nude seta dorsally. It has two pairs of eyes at the level of posterior part of scutum without sclerite, anterior lens. Its larvae has dorsal scutum that is wider, with two pairs of sensilla and two pairs of non-sensillary setae. Its posterior sensilla arise at the scutum's posterior edge.

The virulence of Beauveria bassiana to one of the most important pests of agricultural and ornamental plants, Tetranychus urticae, was assessed by inoculating mites with different isolates (DEBI008, EUT116) and different concentrations of conidia (1 × 104, 1 × 105, 1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 conidia/ml). Treated mites were kept in controlled conditions at 25 ± 1°C, 60-70% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (L: D) and mite mortality was determined daily. Mortality was found to increase with time and was dependent on time and conidia concentration, with values ranging from 4.06% on day 3 at a concentration of 1 × 104 to 82.81% on day 7 at a concentration of 1 × 108 for the lowest and highest conidia concentrations of the EUT116 isolate and from 4.37 to 74.68% for the DEBI008 isolate, respectively. The calculated median lethal concentration on the sixth day was 3.7 × 105 conidia/ml for the EUT116 isolate and 2.9 × 106 conidia/ml for the DEBI008 isolate. The median lethal time for T. urticae with conidial treatments EUT116 and DEBI008 were 4.56 and 5.16.days, respectively. Our research showed that isolate EUT116 can be effective in controlling T. urticae and this isolate is a promising candidate for microbial control of twospotted spider mite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abalakeus jahromiensis Sedghi, Saboori and Hakimitabar n. sp. (Acari: Erythraeidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on an undetermined nymph of a bug (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) from Jahrom, Fars Province, Iran. A key to world larval species of the genus Abalakeus is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythraeus (Erythraeus) adanaensis n. sp. is described and illustrated from larvae collected from an unknown host on citrus in Adana, Turkey. Grandjeanella bella Zhang, 1996 is recorded from Turkey for the first time, and a new host, Parlatoria oleae (Colvee), (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) is recorded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Coptocheles Summers and Schlinger 1955 (Acari: Caligonellidae), Coptocheles farsiensis, from Iran is described. A key to all the species in the genus is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and two new species of mites of the family Trochometridiidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) are described from Iran: Neotrochometridium sensillum Hajiqanbar and Khaustov gen. nov., sp. nov. associated with two carabid beetles and Trochometridium iranicum Hajiqanbar and Khaustov sp. nov. associated with a halictid bee. We also present the first report of two previously described species. These findings provide the first record of the family Trochometridiidae from Iran. The chaetotaxy of tarsus I of the family is discussed and a key to world genera and species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enemothrombium wohltmanni Saboori, Shojaei, and Hakimitabar n. sp. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on unidentified Chironomidae (Diptera). This is the third larval-described species of this genus in the world and the first Asian species. A key to species of Enemothrombium larvae of the world is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pteridopus alivaensis n. sp. (Acari: Chyzeriidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on adults of Paradrymadusa sp. (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), which is a new host, from Naviz village, Aliva area, Taleghan city, Tehran Province, Iran. A key to the species of Pteridopus of the world (larva) is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of the host plant affects the life-history traits of plant-feeding arthropods. The effect of several soybean cultivars on the fitness of Tetranychus urticae was assayed by determining developmental time and fertility life-table parameters for mites on leaf discs at 25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% relative humidity and 16 : 8 light : dark photoperiod. Immature developmental time was significantly longer on LWK and Gorgan 3 than on the other cultivars, whereas total fecundity per female was higher on Gorgan 3 than the other cultivars. There were significant differences among the forms of the survival curves of mites on the cultivars. Statistical comparisons of the jackknifed intrinsic rate of natural increase, generation time, doubling time, and finite rate of increase, suggest unsuitability of the cultivars LWK and Gorgan 3 as hosts for the development of two-spotted spider mite. No significant difference was observed for the net reproductive rates among the cultivars. The lower population rate of the mite could be the result of antibiotic resistance in the cultivars LWK and Gorgan 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empitrombium pesici Saboori and Hakimitabar n. sp. (Acari: Microtrombidiidae) is described and illustrated. Larvae were reared from eggs in the laboratory at room temperature. This is the third larval species of this genus in the world and the first non-American species. A key to species of Empitrombium of the world (larva) is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dorsipes saxicolae n. sp. (Acari: Podapolipidae) is described from Amara (Paracelia) saxicola Zimm. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from northeastern Iran. Dorsipes saxicolae is compared with 4 other species in the inflatus group of Dorsipes Regenfuss. A key to the species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]