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To date, studies exploring effective biocontrol agents of the honey bee (Apis mellifera) ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor have either yielded mixed results or have been totally unsuccessful. In...

Two invasive spider mite species (Stigmaeopsis nanjingensis Ma and Yuan, 1980 and Schizotetranychus bambusae Reck, 1941) were spotted on bamboo collections in Hungary. The possibilities of biological control were investigated on these mites with two different predatory mite species (Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957 and Hypoaspis miles Berlese, 1892 [Stratiolaelaps scimitus Womersley, 1956]). The species Phytoseiulus persimilis consumed larger amount of S. bambusae mites than Stratiolaelaps scimitus mites and none of the predatory mite species could consume the S. nanjingensis species with its special nets.

Drosophila suzukii has been recorded in the UK since the end of 2012. To date, reports of serious damage have been rare. Previous research has demonstrated that there are chemicals available within the UK that are efficient in dealing with D. suzukii. However, few effective chemicals for use by the organic sector have been identified, equally the addition of “new” insecticides into previously stable ecosystems can have negative impacts upon natural enemies and so disrupt control strategies that have developed over a period of time. Therefore, there is a need also to screen for potential biological control agents for D. suzukii. The following commercially available predatory species were evaluated for their potential to act as control agents for D. suzukii: Orius majusculus, Orius laevigatus, Atheta coriaria, Hypoaspis miles and Anthocoris nemoralis. This set of natural enemies could potentially target several life stages of D. suzukii (larvae, pupae and adults). All species, except H. miles, fed on D. suzukii life stages to some extent. Hypoaspis miles displayed no impact upon D. suzukii populations. Anthocoris nemoralis displayed a tendency to feed upon more male than female adult D. suzukii and caused 45% mortality after five days. None of the natural enemies trialed were able to control D. suzukii individually. However, these and other non-commercially produced species will all play a role within a given ecosystem in controlling D. suzukii populations.

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a major pest of strawberry. The efficacy of three species of predatory mites, Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (both: Acari: Phytoseiidae), and Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) (Acari: Laelapidae), and their compatibility with spinosad for the control of this thrips was evaluated in commercial strawberry in spring. Low tunnel-grown strawberry was treated with ‘water then mites’, ‘spinosad then mites’, or ‘mites then spinosad’. Predatory mites were released as single-, two- and three-species combinations. Overall, spinosad-treated plants had fewer thrips than water-treated plants (control). In all treatment regimes, each species of predatory mite reduced the number of thrips relative to those plants that received no mites. Predatory mites were most effective in reducing thrips when released after spinosad was applied. Any multiple-species combination of predatory mites reduced thrips numbers more than single-species releases. The two-species combination of T. montdorensis (foliage inhabiting) and H. miles (soil dwelling) was the most effective in suppressing thrips. The next most effective combination was a three-species release. Of multiple-species combinations, the two-species combination of T. montdorensis and N. cucumeris was the least effective in suppressing thrips numbers. The spinosad and mites only temporarily reduced the numbers of F. occidentalis. This suggests that further application of predatory mites, spinosad, or both is required to maintain F. occidentalis populations below an economically damaging level.

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a major pest of strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa Duchesne (Rosaceae). Spinosad is highly efficacious against F. occidentalis, and spinosad is believed to be compatible in an integrated pest management program. This study determined whether F. occidentalis could be controlled with predatory mites [Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (both Acari: Phytoseiidae), and Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) (Acari: Laelapidae)] and spinosad in strawberry. In the glasshouse, three strawberry cultivars (Camarosa, Camino Real, and Albion) were sprayed once with spinosad at the recommended rate (80 ml 100 l -1 rate, 0.096 g a.i. l -1 ) or with water (control). Thrips adults were released onto plants 24 h after spraying and predatory mites released 6 days later. Spinosad significantly reduced thrips numbers compared with water. All three mite species reduced F. occidentalis numbers, and spinosad had no effect on predatory mites. Though H. miles could not be counted, the numbers of thrips in treatments with H. miles were lower than those in treatments without the mite. Thrips numbers were lowest on Camino Real and highest on Camarosa. These results suggest that the use of Camino Real with spinosad applications followed by releases of predatory mites can significantly reduce thrips numbers.

BACKGROUND: Mushroom cultivation may be adversely affected by insect pests, including sciarids (Lycoriella spp.), which were previously controlled by application of chemical pesticides. However, owing to food safety and environmental concerns, availability of pesticides for use during mushroom cultivation has diminished. Consequently, it is imperative to investigate alternativecontrolstrategies,notreliantonchemicalpesticides,whichmaybeusedinanintegratedpestmanagementsystem. RESULTS: Application of the predatory mite Hypoaspis miles Berlese to commercial mushroom-growing beds at the beginning of spawn run or just prior to casing (830 mites m −2 ) significantly reduced immature sciarids, Lycoriellaingenua (Dufour), in the growing substrate and also adult activity towards the conclusion of cropping. A trend towards lower sciarid emergence from substrates and reduced adult sciarid activity was observed following the application of Steinernemafeltiae(Filipjev) (1.5 × 10 6 nematodes m −2 ) at casing. No significant treatmenteffects on mushroom yield were observed. However, contamination of the mushroom crop by adult sciarids increased in untreated controls. Application of H. miles required a 12-fold increase in labour when compared with application of S.feltiae. CONCLUSION: Contingent upon the development of an effective application system, H. miles has potential for the biological control of sciarids in commercial mushroom production. c � 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

Larvae of Sciaridae flies (Diptera) cause considerable damage to the mushroom Agaricus blazei (Murrill) ss. Heinemann in Brazil. Brazilian growers have had considerable difficulties in controlling this pest. The objective of this work was to test the effect of the predatory Laelapidae mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley) as a control agent of Bradysia matogrossensis (Lane) in cultures of A. blazei. The work corresponded to an evaluation of the efficiency of that predator when released in boxes containing each about 15 L of commercial mushroom compost naturally infested with the pest. The results showed a significant effect of that predator on the population of B. matogrossensis. The release of either 665 or 1330 S. scimitus per box significantly reduced the pest population to levels that, according to grower's experience, apparently could not cause considerable damage. The positive results obtained warrant the conduction of complementary studies to determine the lowest rates of the predator that could still produce acceptable levels of control.

Stratiolaelaps (=Hypoaspis) miles (Berlese) (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) is a polyphagous soil-dwelling predatory mite that is widely marketed for use in greenhouse production systems to manage populations of dark-winged fungus gnats, Bradysia spp. (Diptera: Sciaridae) and for supplemental control of thrips. The suggestion by Walter and Campbell (2003, Biol. Control 26: 253-269) that North American commercial cultures of S. miles may actually be S. scimitus was confirmed. The development and reproduction at 21-23 degrees C of S. scimitus provided ad libidum with one of three different prey--the fungus gnat Bradysia aff. coprophila (Lintner), potworms (Enchytraeidae), or Sancassania aff. sphaerogaster (Zachvatkin, 1937) (Acari: Astigmata: Acaridae)--were compared. Developmental duration of the egg and non-feeding larval stages were 2.47 and 1.11 days, respectively; mortalities were 8.3 and 5.5%. Stratiolaelaps scimitus failed to develop beyond the protonymphal stage when provided with S. aff. sphaerogaster alone, although some feeding was observed. Development and reproduction of S. scimitus was successful on both fungus gnat larvae and enchytraeids, with no influence of prey on protonymphal duration (4.70 days) and mortality (8.3%), or on deutonymphal duration (4.61 days) and mortality (6.1%). Adult female S. scimitus feeding on potworms, compared to those feeding on fungus gnat larvae, had a significantly shorter pre-oviposition period (2.69 vs. 4.59 days). However, diet did not influence other adult female developmental or reproductive characteristics (oviposition period, 18.6 days; post-oviposition period, 6.2 days; total adult longevity, 27.3 days; total number of eggs, 26.5). S. scimitus reared on potworms tended (p = 0.06) to have a higher intrinsic rate of increase, a higher finite rate of increase and a shorter doubling time (rm = 0.142 day(-1), lambda = 1.153, Dt = 4.85 days) than those reared on fungus gnat larvae (rm = 0.105 day(-1), lambda = 1.110, Dt = 6.58 days), but differences in net reproductive rate (R0) and generation time (G) were not significant.

Knowledge of the effects of pesticides on biological control agents is required for the successful implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) programs in greenhouse production systems. Laboratory assays were conducted to assess the effects of an acaricide (dicofol), two insecticides (chlorpyrifos and pyriproxyfen), and two fungicides (fosetyl-Al and mefenoxam) on Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley), a soil-dwelling predatory mite widely marketed in North America under the name Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) as a biological control agent of dark-winged fungus gnats (Bradysia spp.). Eggs, larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs, and adult male and female mites were first assayed using dicofol, an acaricide used in the experiments as a positive control, applied to filter paper in an enclosed arena. Protonymphs were assayed for lethal and sublethal effects against the remaining pesticides at maximum label-recommended rates applied to filter paper, by using dicofol as a positive control and water as a neg...

The life cycle of the western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), comprises an edaphic phase, which offers the opportunity to control this serious pest by the exploitation of soil-dwelling natural enemies. In the present study, the effect of the two soil-dwelling predatory mites, Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) and H. aculeifer (Canestrini) (Acari: Laelapidae), on the population development of the WFT feeding on French beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) was examined. The experiments were carried out in acrylglass tubes, which served as microcosms. The extent of the edaphic phase within a given population of synchronized WFT was investigated by the use of photo-eclectors (emergence traps). This method ensured (1) an easy determination of the proportion of a thrips population entering the soil for pupation and (2) the quantification of the efficiency of predatory mites on the thrips developmental stages in the soil. The results showed that 98% of the thrips population left the bean plant for pupation in the soil. The introduction of five predatory mites caused thrips mortality of at least 44.9%. Doubling the predator density to 10 H. miles increased thrips mortality to 61%. A maximum thrips mortality of 80.5% was attained by the introduction of 20 H. aculeifer . As a result, H. aculeifer showed a greater efficiency as a natural enemy against soil-dwelling developmental stages of the WFT. Both species can be important antagonists of the WFT in protected crops. Opportunities to enhance biocontrol efforts are discussed.

Hypoaspis miles Berlese and H. aculeiferCanestrini (Acari: Laelapidae) were usedagainst Scatella tenuicosta Collin(Diptera: Ephydridae) at the rates of 7, 14and 36 mites per 0.3-l peat pot (1000, 2000 and5000 per net-m2 of peat) with mint (Mentha piperita L.) as the crop. The predatorswere applied either one day (preventivecontrol) or nine days after (curative control)exposing the pots to the flies in thegreenhouse. Based on the number of flies thatemerged from the pots, the control efficacy of preventive H. aculeifer treatments at therate of 36 mites per pot was 84–100% and 92–97% (range over four replicate blocks)after two and three weeks, respectively, fromthe application. The control efficacy ofcurative treatments was 93–100% and 83–94% after two and three weeks, respectively,from the application. Preventive treatmentswith H. miles applied at the rate of 36per pot controlled the flies by 92–100% and 68–97% two and three weeks, respectively, afterthe application. Curative treatments with 36H. miles per pot were less effective (−53–68% and −16–65%, respectively). All treatments with lower mite rates with eitherspecies were ineffective. Due to moreconsistent reduction of fly numbers by Hypoaspis aculeifer, the species was concluded to be a better biocontrol agent ofshore flies in short-term greenhouse cropsgrown in peat pots, probably due to its higherpredation capacity in comparison to H. miles.

The ability of introduced organisms to invade undisturbed native habitats is a major concern in conservation biology and has resulted in a re-evaluation of the introduction of exotic biocontrol agents, especially of generalist predators. One such agent is Stratiolaelaps miles (Berlese), a predatory mite described from Italy, known from throughout the Holarctic, and apparently accidentally introduced to other areas of the world, including Australia. Initial investigations revealed that putative S. miles could be found in both disturbed and relatively pristine habitats in Queensland, Australia. However, analysis of the mitochondrial DNA of five populations showed most to be highly divergent genetically. Subsequent morphological analysis established two species groups: the lamington-group from cool-temperate to subtropical rainforests in Eastern Australia and the more eurytopic miles-group with a cosmopolitan distribution. We describe two new species from each of these complexes (Stratiolaelaps womersleyi, Stratiolaelaps lamington; Stratiolaelaps marilyn, Stratiolaelaps lorna, respectively), and resurrect Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley), a species which often appears to have been confused with S. miles. Additionally, the large genetic distances among morphologically homogenous species in the miles-group suggest that the apparently cosmopolitan S. miles may be composed of a suite of cryptic species of potentially varying utility in biological control. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

In biological control programmes, the two predatory soil mites Hypoaspis aculeifer and H. miles are often applied against soil-borne pests like mushroom flies, springtails and mites. Although the mites show high consumption rates on varying prey types in Petri dish experiments and in greenhouses, their overall efficiency is sometimes limited. We hypothesized that intraspecific interactions, like cannibalism, could contribute to this decreased competence. Therefore, experiments were conducted to show the propensity of H. aculeifer and H. miles to cannibalise. Adult mites and nymphs were introduced as predators with conspecific eggs, larvae, nymphs, adult females or males as prey and the number of killed individuals was recorded. Additionally, the oviposition rate on conspecific prey was quantified and the correlation with the number of prey consumed was calculated to assess the influence of cannibalism on egg production. The results illustrate that cannibalism occurs infrequently in both Hypoaspis spp., the only exception being H. aculeifer nymphs, which cannibalised one conspecific egg per day. Moreover, cannibalism never occurred in the presence of alternative prey. Oviposition rate decreased during the experiment in both species but it was positively correlated with the cannibalism rate only for H. aculeifer. The benefit of cannibalism for populations of H. aculeifer and H. miles is discussed.

Female lifespan and reproduction, in terms of numberof larvae produced, of the soil-dwelling predatorymite Lasioseius fimetorum Karg (Acari:Podocinidae) fed on mould mites (Tyrophagusputrescentiae [Schrank] [Acarina: Acaridae]) wereinvestigated by laboratory experiments at 20 °C,as were the mite's consumption rates of various prey.After a preoviposition period of 10.7 days, L.fimetorum produced progeny at a daily rate of 0.7.The oviposition period lasted 23.6 days and a total of19.4 progeny were produced per female. Females livedfor 38.6 days. Eggs of the Collembola Isotomurusspp. (Collembola: Isotomidae) were consumed in thelargest amount by L. fimetorum followed by mouldmite nymphs, larvae and pupae of thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis [Pergande] [Thysanoptera:Thripidae]), eggs of the Collembola Micrisotomaspp. (Collembola: Isotomidae), Isotomurus spp.nymphs and sciarid larvae (Bradysia pauperaTuomikoski and B. tritici (Coquillet) [Diptera:Sciaridae]). Immature drain flies (Psychoda spp.[Diptera: Psychodidae]) were not consumed by L.fimetorum. The suitability of L. fimetorum forbiological control of glasshouse pests withsoil-dwelling stages is discussed in comparison withanother predatory mite Hypoaspis miles Berlese(Acarina: Hypoaspididae).

Individual and combined effects of light-trapping, biological and chemical control on Lycoriella solani (Winnertz) populations in experimental mushroom production cubicles were examined. During three weeks following the introduction of recorded numbers of adult L solani into experimental cubicles, light-traps caught a maximum 74% of flies initially released. However, light-trapping stimulated adult fly activity and immature stages in the growing substrate throughout the experiment. Consequently, no yield improvements, independently or in combination with biological control agents, were recorded. Incorporation of diazinon (25mg AI kg -1 ) to compost following pasteurisation did not significantly reduce subsequent emergence of adult sciarids. Additional drench application of diflubenzuron (1 g AI m 2 ) to the casing layer reduced the number of immature sciarids during the first cropping period by 99% (P

Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) (Acari: Hypoaspidae) in conjunction with one of two insect growth regulators- Apex 5E (Methoprene) or Dimilin 25wp, containing 25% diflubenzuron - were tested on a mushroom farm for control of Lycoriella solani Winnertz) (Diptera: Sciaridae). In treatment where the predatory mite was introduced alone no reduction in mycelium growth was recorded compared with control. When the predator was introduced in conjunction with Apex 5E or Dimilin at either of two rates, the growth of the mushroom fungus was reduced compared with a control. The sciarid populations were significantly reduced in the treatments where two insect growth regulators were applied alone or in conjunction with mites, as compared to the control. Neither of the two insect growth regulators, at either of the two rates tested, created any adverse effect for H. miles, Crop yield was significantly higher where the predator had been introduced with Apex 5E at the recommended rate, whereas there were no significant differences in yield production with Dimilin at both rates in conjunction with mites, compared to the control.

Life table characteristics of Hypoaspis miles Berlese (Acarina: Hypoaspidae) fed on a mixture of Bradysia paupera Tuomikoski (Diptera: Sciaridae) and B. tritici Coquillet larvae were investigated in laboratory experiments at 4 temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 °C) for development time, juvenile mortality, sex ratio, preoviposition period, oviposition period, postoviposition period, age-specific fecundity, and adult longevity. Juvenile development time decreased with increasing temperature from 46 days at 15 °C to 10 days at 30 °C. The lower temperature threshold was 9.9 °C and development required 205 °D. Juvenile mortality decreased from 52% at 15 °C to 3% at 25 °C and then increased to 24% at 30 °C. Preoviposition period varied with temperature from 12 days at 15 °C to 3 days at 25 °C and then increased to about 4 days at 30 °C. Oviposition period decreased with increasing temperature from 58 days at 15 °C to 25 days at 30 °C. The mean number of eggs per female per day increased from 0.4 at 15 °C to 2.3 at 25 °C and decreased to 1.3 at 30 °C. Age-specific fecundity was described by a temperature dependent model from which the maximum daily fecundity rate could be estimated to be attained at 25.6 °C. Female longevity was significantly shorter than for males, and decreased from 90 days at 15 °C to 34 days at 30 °C. Sex ratio was female-biased at all 4 temperatures and increased with temperature up to 25 °C, decreasing at 30 °C. Estimates of net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, mean generation time and doubling time were obtained. The rm-value increased with temperature from 0.031 day−1 at 15 °C to 0.133 day−1 at 25 °C, after which it decreased to 0.112 day−1 at 30 °C. The study showed that H. miles can develop and reproduce at temperatures between 15 and 30 °C. H. miles and sciarids have approximately the same optimum temperature and thresholds for development and reproduction and H. miles can be used for biological control of sciarids within the temperature range where the pest occurs.

The biology of Hypoaspis miles Berlese (Acarina: Hypoaspidae) fed on mushroom sciarid larvae (Lycoriella solani Winnertz) (Diptera: Lycoriidae) and mould mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae), was investigated by laboratory experiments at 20 °C, 75% r.h. and LD16:D8 hours. H. miles had a significantly shorter development time and a significantly lower juvenile mortality when fed on sciarid larvae than on mould mites, the development time being 14.5 days and the mortality 3.5% on the former prey. The preoviposition and postoviposition periods of H. miles were not uninfluenced by the prey species and were 5-9 and 32-37 days, respectively. Oviposition periods of 53.2 and 68.5 days and female longevities of 82 and 109.6 days were observed on diets of sciarid larvae and mould mites, respectively. Male longevity (168-219 days) was uninfluenced by the prey species. The egg production of H. miles on sciarid larvae was estimated to be 44.4 ± 4.33 eggs per female, as compared to 22.43 + 1.79 eggs per female on mould mites. The sex-ratio of the offspring was significantly influenced by the prey species, the ratios (?/(? + ?)) being 0.66 on sciarid larvae and 0.54 on mould mites. The net reproductive rate (Ro) for H. miles fed on sciarid larvae was approximately 27 which was three times higher than for mites feeding on mould mites. The innate capacity of increase (r m ) was highest (0.0747 day -1 ) when sciarid larvae served as food, giving a doubling time of 9.3 days as compared to 12.8 days on mould mites. The generation times were 44.28 on sciarid larvae and 40.67 days on mould mites. The daily food consumption rate of juvenile and adult H. miles was 0.24 and 0.86 sciarid larvae and 10.8 and 21.7 mould mites, respectively. In terms of weight consumed, however, the consumption of sciarid larvae was 2-3.5 times the weight of mould mites. The ratio of females to males influenced the oviposition period and egg production of H. miles, with virgin females laying fewer eggs over a longer period of time as compared with females with access to males. The egg production in relation to the sex-ratio was described by models predicting a maximum number of eggs per female of 22.3 to be attained at a sex ratio of 0.69 (?/(? + ?)) and a maximum daily number of eggs per female of 0.33 to be attained at a sex ratio of 0.37 (?/(? + ?)).

To find suitable candidates for biological control of the bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini Claparede (Acari: Astigmata) on lilies, exploration was undertaken in areas where the bulb mite is an established pest (The Netherlands, Taiwan and Japan). Among the predators, found in association with R. robini in the field and under storage conditions, mesostigmatic mites predominate. The most abundant species were Hypoaspis aculeifer (Canestrini), Lasioseius bispinosus Evans and Parasitus fimetorum (Berlese). These predators appeared to feed and reproduce on a diet of exclusively R. robini and they were able to control the bulb mite in small-scale population experiments initiated with a 1:20 predator-prey ratio. Under laboratory conditions corresponding to lily bulb propagation (lily scales mixed with vermiculite and stored at 23°C and >90% RH) the laelapid mite, H. aculeifer, was the most effective predator; the ascid predator, L. bispinosus, was much less effective, but being relatively small and being successful in attacking the juvenile stages of the bulb mite it may be better able to search for bulb mites hidden inside the lily bulb. The parasitid predator, P. fimetorum, failed to control the bulb mite when vermiculite was used as a medium, but turned out to suppress this prey when peat was used instead. Various strains of H. aculeifer or closely related species were compared with respect to their impact and performance on bulb mites as prey: two Dutch strains, one obtained from Breezand and the other from 'tZand, a Taiwanese strain, a German strain that in contrast to the previously mentioned strains was not collected from lily bulbs, but from agricultural areas near Bremen and, in addition, a Canadian strain of a related species (Hypoaspis miles Berlese), known to control sciarid fly larvae. These comparative experiments showed that H. miles died out without noticeable impact on the bulb mite population whereas all strains of H. aculeifer were able to suppress the bulb mites to very low numbers. However, the numerical responses of the H. aculeifer strains differed in that those collected in association with the pest (Breezand > Taiwan > 'tZand) were superior to the strain from Bremen. These results do not provide support to the Hokkanen and Pimentel hypothesis, which states that predators forming an evolutionary new association with the pest are often more effective in biological control.

The predatory mite Hypoaspis miles was released from laboratory cultures into young crops of pot‐grown cyclamen and poinsettia in six small glasshouses. Five different rates of release were used together with a control house. In both crops, rates of 55 mites per pot and above gave satisfactory control of glasshouse sciarids with no later resurgence of the pest. Mites persisted on the pots until the end of the trial, probably feeding on a residual population of sciarids. In separate tests H. miles was found mostly in the top 1 cm of compost and persisted in horticultural compost for up to 7 weeks in the absence of food.

BACKGROUND: Spinosad is a biopesticide widely used for control of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). It is reported to be non-toxic to several predatory mite species used for the biological control of thrips. Predatory mites Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) and Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) have been used for control of F. occidentalis. This study investigated the impact of direct and residual toxicity of spinosad on F. occidentalis and predatory mites. The repellency of spinosad residues to these predatory mites was also investigated. RESULTS: Direct contact to spinosad effectively reduced the number of F. occidentalis adults and larvae, causing > 96% mortality. Spinosad residues aged 2–96 h were also toxic to F. occidentalis. Direct exposure to spinosad resulted in > 90% mortality of all three mite species. Thresholds for the residual toxicity (contact) of spinosad (LT25) were estimated as 4.2, 3.2 and 5.8 days for T. montdorensis, N. cucumeris and H. miles respectively. When mites were simultaneously exposed to spinosad residues and fed spinosad-intoxicated thrips larvae, toxicity increased. Residual thresholds were re-estimated as 5.4, 3.9 and 6.1 days for T. montdorensis, N. cucumeris and H. miles respectively. Residues aged 2–48 h repelled T. montdorensis and H. miles, and residues aged 2–24 h repelled N. cucumeris. CONCLUSION: Predatory mites can be safely released 6 days after spinosad is applied for the management of F. occidentalis. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry

In small-scale experiments, the predatory mites, Hypoaspis aculeifer (Canestrini) and H. miles Berlese, applied at 700 mites m−2, and the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) applied at 3 × 10−6 nematodes m−2 controlled sciarids and phorids in mushroom compost and casing substrates. For both mite species, earliest application to the growing substrate following sciarid infestation reduced sciarid emergence. In contrast, later application of each biological control agent provided more effective control of phorid emergence. The behaviour of adult mites suggested that H. aculeifer were more positively geotactic than H. miles although both species could penetrate compost and casing substrates to a depth of 2–12 cm. A majority of S. feltiae nematodes resided at a depth of 2–4 cm in both substrate types. Independent application of H. aculeifer provided more comprehensive control of sciarids and phorids than the other biological agents studied, owing to its better dispersal within compost and casing, and ability to attack larvae of differing ages.

The predatory mite Hypoaspis miles feeds on Lycoriella solani larvae (Diptera: Sciaridae) and Acarus siro (Acari: Acaridae) by cutting into the cuticle of the prey with the chelicerae. Portions of soft material are then extracted and crushed into a semi-liquid state before being sucked into the alimentary canal of the predator. H. miles has never been observed consuming sclerotized parts of the prey but sometimes kills several prey before consuming any one of them. H. miles adults were observed to survive for 7 to 8 weeks without food.

The developmental times, food consumption, fecundity and adult size of Hypoaspis miles were studied in the laboratory using Acarus siro, Lycoriella solani and Heteropeza pygmaea as food sources. Hypoaspis miles successfully developed when fed on A. siro, and L. solani in the laboratory. Food types greatly affected predator development time, feeding capacity, female fecundity and adult size. Statistically significant differences were recorded for all biological aspects of Hypoaspis miles. Acarus siro and Lycoriella solani were proved to be the most suitable type of food for the predator mite.

Laboratory and field trials were conducted in mushroom crops to assess the possibility for biological control of Lycoriella solani (Winnertz) which infests cultivated mushrooms ( Agaricus bisporus ). Laboratory trials in mini bags containing mushroom compost showed that the predatory mite Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) could suppress populations of its prey to very low levels. To assess the possibility for biological control of L. solani on a larger scale, trials were carried out in commercial growing bags on a mushroom farm. The mite suppressed its prey to very low densities. All instars of the mite were recorded in the treatments, whether introduced with L. solani or without. The number of H. miles was higher when introduced with L. solani than without. Crop yield was higher where the predators had been introduced at spawning, and more mushrooms were produced when predators were introduced at the spawning and casing period.

A survey of small-mammal ectoparasites was conducted from July 1965 to March 1968 in the central area of Turkey's western coast. Mammals were trapped in 8 areas ranging from the immediate coast to 140 km inland, and from 0 to 900 m elevation. The ectoparasites collected were mesostigmatid and trombiculid mites, fleas, lice and ticks. This manuscript deals only with the mesostigmatid mites. Host and distribution records are given for 15 species of mesostigmatid mites— Eulaelaps stabularis, Haemogamasus kusumotoi, H. nidiformes, Haemolaelaps fahrenholzi , Hirstionyssus arcuatus, Hypoaspis miles, H. vacua, Laelaps agilis, L. algericus, L. kochi, L. longisetosus, L. Pavlovskyi, Myonyssus decumani, M. gigas, and Ornithonyssus bacoti —taken from 8 species of mammals at 12 localities in Turkey.