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This study explores sustainable agricultural practices by examining the role of organic materials in enhancing native predatory mites for controlling spider mites in apple orchards. Developing techniques to conserve indigenous natural enemies is vital for sustainable agricultural production. Phytoseiid mites can control spider mites, which are among the most significant pests in apple production. To conserve phytoseiid mite populations, it is important to identify alternative prey and to determine their role in phytoseiid mite proliferation. We demonstrated that the concurrent use of specific organic fertilizers and coconut husks can increase prey Tyrophagus mites, thereby enhancing phytoseiid mite density. Our research was conducted using sticky traps at the Miyagi Prefectural Agriculture and Horticulture Research Center in Japan. The occurrence of Tyrophagus mites was significantly correlated with the occurrence of phytoseiid mites in 2 years. In laboratory experiments, the use of organic fertilizers increased the density of Tyrophagus mites by 83 × within 4 weeks. Several species of phytoseiid mites were able to lay between 0.25 and 1.03 eggs per day per female by preying on Tyrophagus larvae. A 2-year field survey revealed that the use of organic fertilizers more than doubled the density of phytoseiid mites on apple leaves, likely through promoting Tyrophagus mite proliferation on the ground. These results highlight the potential of organic fertilizers not only to enhance soil nutrients, but also to boost phytoseiid mite populations, thereby contributing to more sustainable apple production., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Comprehending symbiont abundance among host species is a major ecological endeavour, and the metabolic theory of ecology has been proposed to understand what constrains symbiont populations. We parameterized metabolic theory equations to investigate how bird species' body size and the body size of their feather mites relate to mite abundance according to four potential energy (uropygial gland size) and space constraints (wing area, total length of barbs and number of feather barbs). Predictions were compared with the empirical scaling of feather mite abundance across 106 passerine bird species (26,604 individual birds sampled), using phylogenetic modelling and quantile regression. Feather mite abundance was strongly constrained by host space (number of feather barbs) but not by energy. Moreover, feather mite species' body size was unrelated to the body size of their host species. We discuss the implications of our results for our understanding of the bird-feather mite system and for symbiont abundance in general., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Ecological Society.)

Bulb mites are an economically significant pest of subterranean parts of plants and a versatile laboratory animal. However, the genetic structure of their populations remains unknown. To fill this gap in our knowledge of their biology, we set up a field experiment in which we allowed mites to colonize onion bulbs, and then determined the genetic structure of colonisers based on a panel of microsatellite loci. We found moderate but significant population structure among sites separated by ca. 20 m (F ST range 0.03-0.21), with 7% of genetic variance distributed among sites. Allelic richness within some bulbs was nearly as high as that in the total population, suggesting that colonisation of bulbs was not associated with strong population bottlenecks. The significant genetic structure we observed over small spatial scales seems to reflect limited dispersal of mites in soil., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The opisthonotal glands of Astigmata contain monoterpenes, aromatics, aliphatics, and other volatile compounds; some of these compounds act as pheromones and have antifungal effects. This study analyzed volatile compounds secreted by mites on three traditional mite-ripened cheeses from producers (Milbenkäse from Germany, Mimolette and Artisou from France). The mites obtained from various traditional ripened French cheeses (Mimolette, Laguiole, Salers, and Cantal vieux) from stores were also investigated. The gas chromatography (GC) profiles of all their hexane extracts, except the Cantal vieux one, showed almost no differences and were identical to that of Tyrolichus casei Oudemans except for trace components. Based on the GC results, the mites of Cantal vieux were identified as Acarus siro L. For the Artisou and Cantal vieux, not studied before, the influence of the mite secretions on their characteristics was investigated by analyzing the headspace volatiles from the cheeses. According to the results, neral secreted from T. casei is the main compound responsible for the lemon-like flavor of the mite-ripened cheeses, which is, hence, due to a component of the mite secretions rather than the fermentation of the cheese itself. Moreover, the compounds secreted by the mites are not directly added to the cheese through ripening as they were not detected in the odors of the Artisou and Cantal vieux after the mites were removed. However, the consumers of the Artisou usually eat also the cheese rind, and thus, can enjoy its lemon-like flavor fully., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: The ecology and evolution of phoretic mites and termites have not been well studied. In particular, it is unknown whether the specific relationship between mites and termites is commensal or parasitic. High phoretic mite densities have often been found to occur in weak termite colonies, suggesting that the relationship is closer to that of parasitism than commensalism., Results: To examine this, Coptotermes formosanus was used as a carrier, and Acarus farris as the phoretic mite. We used video recordings to observe termite social immunity behaviors and bioassay to examine termite fitness. Our results showed that the attachment of the mite on the termite can enhance termite social immunity behaviors like alarm vibration and grooming frequency while decreasing the duration of individual grooming episodes in phoretic mites. Further, A. farris phoresy led to a 22.91% reduction in termite abdomen volume and a 3.31-fold increase in termite mortality., Conclusions: When termites groom more frequently, the consequence is short duration of grooming bouts. This may be indicative of a trade-off which provides suggestive evidence that frequent social behaviors may cost termites energy. And this caused phoretic behavior hastened termites' death, and helped propagate the population of mites feeding on dead termites. So, it provides a case for phoresy being a precursor to parasitism, and the specific relationship between A. farris and C. formosanus is closer to parasitism than to commensalism., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

To determine whether the mites used in the ripening process of traditional cheeses are genetically unique to cheese factories, we investigated mites from three types of traditional cheeses, that use mites in the ripening process: 'Würchwitzer Milbenkäse' from Germany and 'Mimolette' and 'Artisou' from France. In addition, traditional ripened cheeses were purchased from cheese specialty stores in France (Mimolette) and Japan ('Laguiole' from France) as well as stores in temporary markets in France ('Salers' and 'Cantal vieux') and the mites obtained from those cheeses were analyzed in this study. Partial sequences of the 28S rRNA gene (28S) were determined and used to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree. Tyrolichus casei, the dominant cheese mite species from the ripening cabinets of three traditional cheese producers and two cheese specialty stores in France and Japan, had identical partial 28S sequences. All specimens from Cantal vieux from a store in the temporary market in France had an identical sequence with Acarus siro and Acarus immobilis in the determined region of the 28S sequences. Mite individuals from Salers from a store in the temporary markets in France shared the same haplotype as Acotyledon paradoxa. For the T. casei individuals from five different localities (19 individuals in total), the nuclear loci were obtained using MIG-seq. More than several thousand genomic regions are amplified simultaneously by multiplex PCR, and targeting regions surrounded by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) in the genome were sequenced using the MiSeq system (Illumina). SNPs extracted from this genome-wide analysis showed that no genetic structure existed in the populations from any region. Among the five samples from the three regions, which were more than 500 km apart and from completely different environments, the mites had no geographic bias, but all mite individuals were genetically nearly identical. Thus, we found no evidence to support the existence of 'cheese factory-specific' T. casei mites, at least in terms of genetic analysis., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Three new feather mite species of the Nycteridocaulus generic group (Proctophyllodidae: Proctophyllodinae) are described from passerines in Panama: Atrichophyllodes myrmotherulae sp. n. from the Slaty Antwren, Myrmotherula schisticolor (Lawrence) (Thamnophilidae), Nycteridocaulus apanaskevichi sp. n. from the Grey-breasted Wood Wren, Henicorhina leucophrys (Tschudi) (Troglodytidae), and N. empidonicus sp. n. from the Yellowish Flycatcher Empidonax flavescens Lawrence (Tyrannidae). Nycteridocaulus apanaskevichi, presenting the second record of the genus from a host of oscine passerines, differs from N. guaratubensis Hernandes, 2014 in having the anterolateral extensions of the prodorsal shield rounded and the hysteronotal shield lacking any ornamentation. Males of N. empidonicus differ from N. myiobius Mironov, 2017 in having the supranal concavity open posteriorly and tarsus IV with rounded apical process; and females are distinguished by macrosetae h2 having long filiform apices. Males of A. myrmotherulae most clearly differ from A. mentalis Hernandes et al. 2007 in having the terminal lamellae rectangular and tarsus IV with triangular ventral process, and females are distinguished in having a noticeably longer idiosoma, 400-430 μm long. Comments on systematics and host associations of the genera Atrichophyllodes and Nycteridocaulus are provided.

This study reports for the first time the use of soil micro-invertebrates, mites, as trace evidence to localise buried objects such as money. The case relates to a crime in Germany, where a large sum of banknotes had been hidden in an unknown location, likely abroad. In 2016, part of the money (approx. €500,000 in €500 value notes) was confiscated by the police. After analysis in the forensic lab, it was discovered that the notes were covered with small particles of a sort of debris, later identified as specimens of Rhizoglyphus howensis Manson, a non-European, nor Mediterranean species of root or bulb mites (Acaridae: Rhizoglyphinae). The restricted biogeographic distribution of R. howensis, originated in unspoiled forest soil in the Australasian region, limited the search for the money to the areas visited by the perpetrators during their trips to the region. Rhizoglyphus howensis biology provided further clues on the whereabouts of the banknotes, as they are specialist plant feeders, exclusively feeding on seeds of palm trees and on roots of Quercus patula in the Australasian region. This report aims to highlight the importance of the correct identification of the microscopic organisms associated with a crime scene and the immediate retrieval of micro-invertebrate trace evidence. This is the first record of R. howensis from Europe, and from banknotes., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The occurrence of Suidasia medanensis (= S. pontifica) mites in Malaysian house dust was first reported in 1984. The taxonomy of this storage mite is, however, quite confusing. Therefore, we need an accurate identification to resolve morphological problems due to its minute size and some overlapping characters between species. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the application of partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences for the identification of S. medanensis by PCR. Identity of the mite was first determined by observing morphological characters under a light microscope. Genomic DNA of S. medanensis mites was successfully extracted prior to PCR and DNA sequencing using COI universal primers. The length of the COI sequences obtained was 378 bp. BLAST analysis of amplicon sequences showed that local S. medanensis COI region had 99% maximum identity with S. medanensis nucleotide sequence (AY525568) available in the GenBank. As the phylogenetic tree generated indicated, COI sequences from this study were clustered with S. medanensis from Korea and the UK in one major clade, supported with high bootstrap value (> 85%). Results of the phylogenetic analysis of this COI gene were congruent with the morphological identification and provided strong support for a single clade of local S. medanensis.

Obligate symbionts may be genetically structured among host individuals and among phenotypically distinct host populations. Such processes may in turn determine within-host genetic diversity of symbionts, which is relevant for understanding symbiont population dynamics. We analysed the population genetic structure of two species of feather mites (Proctophyllodes sylviae and Trouessartia bifurcata) in migratory and resident blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla that winter sympatrically. Resident and migratory hosts may provide mites with habitats of different qualities, what might promote specialization of mite populations. We found high genetic diversity of within-host populations for both mite species, but no sign of genetic structure of mites between migratory and resident hosts. Our results suggest that, although dispersal mechanisms between hosts during the non-breeding season are unclear, mite populations are not limited by transmission bottlenecks that would reduce genetic diversity among individuals that share a host. Additionally, there is no evidence that host phenotypic divergence (associated with the evolution of migration and residency) has promoted the evolution of host-specialist mite populations. Unrestricted dispersal among host types may allow symbiotic organisms to avoid inbreeding and to persist in the face of habitat heterogeneity in phenotypically diverse host populations.

De novo biosynthesis of linoleic acid (LA) and its conversion to (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene were examined in Carpoglyphus lactis (Acarina, Carpoglyphidae). Experiments involving (13)C-administration using [1-(13)C]-d-glucose revealed that (13)C atoms were incorporated into LA of total lipid extracted from the mite, resulting in labeling of all even-numbered carbons. This result demonstrated that LA was produced from (13)C-labeled acetyl-CoA, which is indicative of direct de novo biosynthesis. In these feeding experiments involving [1-(13)C]-D-glucose, (13)C atoms were also incorporated into (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene, which is one of the major secretory components in the mite. The labeling pattern of (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene at odd-numbered carbons agreed well with that of LA after loss of the carboxyl carbon. It was concluded that the mites could stably convert LA into (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene without the dietary requirement of this essential fatty acid., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Individual organisms can function as ecosystems inhabited by symbionts. Symbionts may interact with each other in ways that subsequently influence their hosts positively or negatively, although the details of how these interactions operate collectively are usually not well understood. Vane‐dwelling feather mites are common ectosymbionts of birds and are proposed to confer benefits to hosts by consuming feather‐degrading microbes. However, it is unknown whether these mites exhibit generalist or selective diets, or how their dietary selection could potentially impact their symbiotic functional nature. In this study, we conducted 16S rDNA and ITS1 amplicon sequencing to examine the microbial diet of feather mites. We characterized and compared the diversity and composition of bacteria and fungi in the bodies of mites living on feathers of the Prothonotary Warbler, Protonotaria citrea, to microbial assemblages present on the same feathers. We found less diverse, more compositionally similar microbial assemblages within mites than on feathers. We also found that mites were resource‐selective. Based on the identity and known functions of microbes found within and presumably preferred by mites, our results suggest that these mites selectively consume feather‐degrading microbes. Therefore, our results support the proposition that mites confer benefits to their hosts. This study provides insight into symbioses operating at multiple biological levels, highlights the ecological and evolutionary importance of the synergistic interactions between species, and greatly expands our understanding of feather mite biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we describe Euroglyphus pericosp. nov. from a nest of a mammal, probably Peromyscus sp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae), from Durango, Mexico. As this new species combines features of the genera Euroglyphus and Gymnoglyphus, Gymnoglyphus is proposed as a junior subjective synonym of Euroglyphus. An updated diagnosis of the genus Euroglyphus and a key to species of the World are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaetodactylus krombeini (Acariformes: Astigmata: Chaetodactylidae) mites are kleptoparasites of solitary bees in the genus Osmia and depend on bee hosts for harbourage, nutrition, and dispersal, with infestations increasing morbidity and larval mortality. The life history traits of C. krombeini are unclear, complicating the control efforts of mites in managed bee nests. Mites in the family Chaetodactylidae have a facultative life stage, the heteromorphic deutonymph, used for either dispersal or dormancy when food resources are sparse. The heteromorphic deutonymph life stage is hypothesized to consist only of females, requiring arrhenotokous parthenogenesis to reproduce. This study examined this hypothesis by determining the sex of the adults that developed from each deutonymph morph. Phoretic deutonymphs were isolated after overwintering either with or without a bee host; inert deutonymphs were isolated from field collections from various locations. Mites were individually observed for 14 days, and development was recorded. Mites that reached adulthood were sexed. After 14 days, 32–38% of heteromorphic deutonymphs that reached adulthood were male. These results disprove the previous hypothesis that heteromorphic deutonymphs are exclusively female. The survival and reproductive strategies of C. krombeini are now in question, specifically the role of true arrhenotoky in founding new mite populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Schwiebea Oudemans (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) includes notable agricultural pests that are widely distributed across diverse ecological environments. Despite their economic significance, mites of this genus in Thailand have been insufficiently studied. This research describes a new species, Schwiebea citraesp. nov., collected from the roots of pomelo, Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr., contributing to the broader knowledge of acarid diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the functional shape of astigmatan mite moveable digit profiles are examined to test if Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acaridae) is a trophic intermediate between a typical micro-saprophagous carpoglyphid (Carpoglyphus lactis) and a common macro-saprophagous glycyphagid (Glycyphagus domesticus). Digit tip elongation in these mites is decoupled from the basic physics of optimising moveable digit inertia. Investment in the basal ramus/coronoid process compared to that for the moveable digit mastication length varies with feeding style. A differentiated ascending ramus is indicated in C. lactis and in T. putrescentiae for different trophic reasons. Culturing affects relative investments in C. lactis. A markedly different style of feeding is inferred for the carpoglyphid. The micro-saprophagous acarid does not have an intermediate pattern of trophic functional form between the other two species. Mastication surface shape complexity confirms the acarid to be heterodontous. T. putrescentiae is a particularly variably formed species trophically. A plausible evolutionary path for the gradation of forms is illustrated. Digit form and strengthening to resist bending under occlusive loads is explored in detail. Extensions to the analytical approach are suggested to confirm the decoupling of moveable digit pattern from cheliceral and chelal adaptations. Caution is expressed when interpreting ordinations of multidimensional data in mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus robini Claparédè has been identified as a common pest attacking saffron corms. This mite is also a saprophytic species that is able to feed on fungi (mycelium). It has also been demonstrated that some soilborn fungi can attack and establish on saffron corms. After related fungi were isolated and identified either in saffron corms and mite bodies, the fungus Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht was the most abundant species in both samples; subsequently, it was used in the experiments. For studying the role of soil-borne fungi on life-table parameters of the mite, an even-aged cohort of eggs was obtained and transferred to experimental units to feed on saffron corm sections in two groups (fungal-infected and non-infected corms) in laboratory conditions. A total of 36 individuals were used for each treatment. The life-history data were analyzed according to the age-stage, two-sex life table model. Results showed that total pre-adult development of R. robini was significantly faster on Fusarium-infected rather than healthy corms (10.91 and 11.48 days respectively, P < 0.05). Adult pre-oviposition period (APOP) was significantly shorter when females were reared on fungal-infested than non-infested corms (1.84 and 2.88 days, respectively, P < 0.05). In addition, survivorship and fecundity of the mite on the two diets indicated higher rates and consequently, the net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) were significantly higher (P < 0.05 for both parameters) (202.07 and 351.13 offspring for R0 and 0.218 and 0.251 day-1 for r respectively on non-infested and infested diets). According to the results obtained, the soil-borne fungus affected demographic parameters of the bulb mite and it supports the hypothesis that the mite prefers plant tissues infected with soil-borne fungi because these are more suitable hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new feather mite species, Mycterialges boycianae sp. nov. (Xolalgidae), was identified from the Oriental Stork, Ciconia boyciana Swinhoe, 1873, in Korea. Males of M. boycianae sp. nov. are distinguished from Mycterialges mesomorphus Gaud & Atyeo, 1981, in having a single triangular prodorsal shield, sinuous margins of the opisthosoma located between setae e2 and h2 on the hysteronotal shield, an oval-shaped epiandrum without posterior extensions, a shorter tibia + tarsus IV than femoragenu IV, and an absent ambulacral disc of leg IV. Females differ in having a prodorsal shield with a posterior margin that is blunt-angular, and a concave posterior margin of the hysteronotal shield with posterior extensions. This study presents the first record of the feather mite genus Mycterialges in birds of the genus Ciconia (Ciconiidae). Additionally, we determined the phylogenetic relationship among Ingrassiinae using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit (COI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) has the potential for controlling pest insects in the laboratory, although little is known about its interaction with beneficial species such as bees. Here we report an infestation of T. putrescentiae and its predatory effect in colonies of the stingless bee Frieseomelitta varia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini) in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. After the mite infestation, the F. varia colonies became weak and the population died. Because T. putrescentiae develops preferentially in warm and damp environments, special care should be taken when performing in vitro rearing (e.g., sterilizing transfer needles, tweezers, and incubators) of F. varia. Moreover, stingless bee colonies maintained in meliponaries should be periodically monitored, in order to prevent not only mite infestation but diverse health issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feather mite genus LamellodectesHernandes and Valim, 2014 (Proctophyllodidae) was originally referred to the subfamily Pterodectinae based on the crucial diagnostic feature of this subfamily—the fusion of the epigynum with epimerites IIIa in females. Detailed investigation of two Lamellodectes species collected from ovenbirds (Passeriformes: Furnariidae) in Costa Rica has shown that this genus is actually close to Platyacarus Kudon, 1982 (Proctophyllodinae). Both genera have 4 ventral setae (ra, wa, la, and s) on tarsi I and II, while other proctophyllodid genera have only 3 setae (ra, wa, la). Additionally, it was found that the fusion of epigynum with epimerites IIIa in females of Lamellodectes is incomplete, as in some representatives of the proctophyllodine genera AnisophyllodesAtyeo, 1967 and ArmophyllodesMironov and Bermúdez, 2018 that gives evidence this character state has been independently developed in this genus. Herein, the genus Lamellodectes is provided with renewed diagnosis and transferred to the subfamily Proctophyllodinae; one new species, Lamellodectes favus Mironov sp. n., is described from Premnoplex brunnescens (Sclater, PL, 1856) (Passeriformes: Furnariidae) in Costa Rica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mites are the allergens most implicated in the etiology of allergic respiratory diseases. They are frequent in humid and warm areas and are usually found in household dust. The objective of this work is to report the presence of a new species of domestic mite in Cuba found in the homes of the country's capital. The samples, consisting of mattress dust, were taken in the municipalities of Plaza and Habana del Este. The species Glycycometus malaysiensis (Fain & Nadchatram) was identified from a female and a nymph. The diagnostic characters and their allergenic importance are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host specificity is a fundamental life history trait of symbionts and exists on a broad continuum from symbionts that are specific to one or a few hosts (host specialists), to those associated with multiple different host species (host generalists). However, the biological mechanisms underlying the complexity and wide variation in symbiont host specificity are poorly understood from both the symbiont and host perspectives across many symbiotic systems.Feather mites are common avian symbionts that vary in their host specificity from extreme host generalists to host specialists, even among species within the same genus.Here, we measured and compared survival probability and rate of dispersal to determine how these traits differ between two species of feather mites in the same genus: one host generalist associated with 17 host species (Amerodectes ischyros) and one host specialist with only one known host (A. protonotaria).We initially predicted that the host generalist would live longer and disperse more rapidly but discovered that while the host generalist mite survived longer, the host specialist mite dispersed more quickly.The differing environmental and ecological conditions in which the hosts of these mites are associated may explain the survival and dispersal patterns we uncovered, as differential microclimates may have led to different selective pressures on each species of mite. We also noted mite behavioural observations and suggest experiments to extend our understanding of feather mite ecology and evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new feather mite species of the genus Trouessartia Canestrini, 1899 (Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae) is described from Myiophobus fasciatus (Statius Muller, 1776) (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) in Brazil. Trouessartia apodematasp. nov. differs from previously described species of the genus by the unique arrangement of epimerites around the genital apparatus in males, with the lateral tips of the epiandrum fused with epimerites IIIa anterior to the genital apparatus and epimerites IVa fused at their inner tips into a large arch posterior to it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European robins (Erithacus rubecula) were mist netted and assessed for wing feather mite infestations in north‐east Nottinghamshire, England from June 1998 until March 2014. We analysed records of 899 first capture birds using three measures of infestation: prevalence of mites (% showing evidence of infestation), number of wing feathers infested with mites on one wing (NIWF), and the total mite infestation score (TOTMIS). The latter is the sum of scores (range 0–4) allocated to each of the 19 flight feathers on the assessed wing. The overall prevalence of infestation was 90.9% (95% confidence limits = 88.19–93.02), and average NIWFs and TOTMIS (±sem) were 6.0 ± 0.15 and 6.5 ± 0.23, respectively. All three measures varied significantly between age classes of birds, but not between the sexes, and varied markedly between months of the year. TOTMIS values were highest in late winter/early spring months and then dropped markedly in May to a low in summer months (usually by August), the dip in abundance of mites coinciding with the breeding season of robins. The best mixed‐effects generalised statistical model was one that comprised month of capture and age of birds but there was also a highly significant negative correlation between TOTMIS values of individual birds and the mean monthly ambient temperature in the month of capture as well as that of the preceding month. The most parsimonious interpretation of our data is that the highly consistent dip in mite abundance on adult robins from spring to summer months reflects vertical transmission of mites to their nestlings/fledgelings. These results are discussed in the context of the biology of both hosts and mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian nasal mites are obligate endoparasites that spend their entire life in the respiratory system of birds. In North America, bird nasal mites are represented by several unrelated families in three orders of mites: Rhinonyssidae (Mesostigmata), Ereynetidae (Trombidiformes), and Cytoditidae and Turbinoptidae (Sarcoptiformes). The most-diverse and commonly encountered family of nasal mites is Rhinonyssidae, in which mite species may have different levels of specificity to host orders, families, or even to species. In this study, birds from Arkansas and Illinois in the United States were surveyed for nasal mites. Of 430 birds examined, 58 individuals (13.4%) and 30 of 106 bird species (28%) were infested with nasal mites. Levels of mite prevalence were similar to results reported from previous studies (25-45% of species). The 58 infested birds with nasal mites belonged to 4 orders, 11 families, 24 genera, and 30 species. Rhinonyssidae was the most commonly found family and was represented by 15 species. Nineteen new North American host records are added, the majority being found within the bird families Parulidae and Emberizidae. Three new host records are added in Turdidae and Accipitridae with nasal mites from the families Ereynetidae and Turbinoptidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to social demands with regard to sustainability and ecological considerations, an aim of current research in short‐rotation coppices (SRC) is to find effective candidates for biological control of pest species. The great red poplar leaf beetle, Chrysomela populi L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is one of the most harmful pests in the SRC. The endoparasitic mite Linobia coccinellae (Scopoli) (Acari: Astigmata, Hemisarcoptidae) lives under the elytra of C. populi and feeds on the beetles' hemolymph. The population dynamics of the mites and their impact on the fecundity and longevity of female beetles were examined in two experiments. To study the occurrence of the mites, beetles were collected from two poplar SRC sites in Germany on three dates. Infestation rates of collected male and female C. populi individuals increased over the course of the year and reached 78–97% in the last survey. Females were parasitized more often than males at any time. For the second part of the study, beetles were reared under laboratory conditions to study the development of the mites and their impact on the hosts. For this purpose, half of the females were actively seeded with five adult females of L. coccinellae and the other half was used as a control. There was no significant impact on longevity or reproductive traits of the beetles. Despite the high rates of infestation, it appears that the mites do not have a serious effect on female beetles. Thus L. coccinellae, by itself, is not an effective biological control agent against C. populi. However, it remains to be investigated whether the mites increase the beetles' susceptibility to other biotic and abiotic factors, and so may contribute to an integrated pest management regime with multiple antagonists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypopi of Lardoglyphus zacheriOudemans, 1927 were found attached to larder beetles (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) colonising experimental pig carcasses in the Parque Natural Aiako Harria, Errenteria, Gipuzkoa, northern Spain. Five pig carcasses were used for a study of arthropod colonisation during the decomposition process, and the experiment lasted 88 days (from July to October 2010). Hypopi were found when the carcasses commenced reduction to dried remains, on day 29 (August 24), and were attached to Dermestes frischi Kugelann, 1792 and to D. undulatus Brahm, 1790, all collected on the same carcass (carcass 3, C3). No more lardoglyphid mites were detected from August 29 to the last day of sampling, October 22 2010. This is the first record of Lardoglyphus hypopi on D. undulatus and of L. zacheri from the Iberian Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two common species of house dust mites (HDMs), Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus, are major sources of allergens in human dwellings worldwide. Many allergens from HDMs have been described, but their extracts vary in immunogens. Mite strains may differ in their microbiomes, which affect mite allergen expression and contents of bacterial endotoxins. Some bacteria, such as the intracellular symbiont Cardinium, can affect both the sex ratio and biochemical pathways of mites, resulting in abundance variations of mite allergens/immunogens. Here, we investigated the bacterial microbiomes of D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus males and females using barcode 16S rDNA sequencing, qPCR, and genomic data analysis. We found a single species of Cardinium associated with D. farinae strains from the USA, China and Europe. Cardinium had high abundance relative to other bacterial taxa and represented 99% of all bacterial DNA reads from female mites from the USA. Cardinium was also abundant with respect to the number of host cells—we estimated 10.4–11.8 cells of Cardinium per single female mite cell. In a European D. farinae strain, Cardinium was more prevalent in females than in males (representing 92 and 67% of all bacterial taxa in females and males, respectively). In contrast, D. pteronyssinus lacked any Cardinium species, and the microbiomes of male and female mites were similar. We produced a Cardinium genome assembly (1.48 Mb; GenBank: PRJNA555788, GCA_007559345.1) associated with D. farinae. The ascertained ubiquity and abundance of Cardinium strongly suggest that this intracellular bacterium plays an important biological role in D. farinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of the feather mite genus Mesalgoides (Acariformes: Psoroptoididae: Pandalurinae) are described from passerine birds (Passeriformes) in China: Mesalgoides morrisoniasp. nov. from Alcippe morrisonia Swinhoe (Leiothrichidae), M. vinaceasp. nov. from Carpodacus vinaceus Verreaux (Fringillidae), M. flammicepissp. nov. from Cephalopyrus flammiceps (Burton) (Paridae), and M. erythacasp. nov. from Pyrrhula erythaca Blyth (Fringillidae). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitcher plants of the genus Nepenthes trap and digest invertebrate prey to supplement their nutrient requirements using fluid‐containing, modified leaves known as 'pitchers'. Pitchers are habitats to many aquatic metazoan and microbial species known as 'inquilines'. Mites (Histiostomatidae) are a common but poorly studied inquiline taxon – little is known of their life cycles and their interactions with other inquiline taxa. The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate interspecific interactions between inquiline Creutzeria mites, microbes and Endonepenthia schuitemakeri (Diptera: Phoridae) (2) quantify the net nutritional benefit of Creutzeria mites and other inquilines on Nepenthes gracilis nitrogen sequestration and (3) determine if E. schuitemakeri can act as dispersal agents for Creutzeria mites. In the first part of the study, Creutzeria mites were reared in vitro under simulated pitcher conditions for varying lengths of time. Their populations were found to increase exponentially with time, peaking 24.2 days into the experiment and decreasing thereafter. In the second experiment, in vitro experiments were established with different combinations of E. schuitemakeri larvae, ant prey biomass, ant prey species and Creutzeria mite addition. Mite population, fluid microbe density and total pitcher‐available nitrogen were measured at the end of 24 days as determined in the first part of the study. Confirmatory path analyses suggested that Creutzeria mites competed with microbes for prey resources (negative effect of microbe density on mite population) were not facilitated by E. schuitemakeri (no effect of E. schuitemakeri on mite population) and had a neutral to negative effect on pitcher nutrient sequestration (weak negative effect of mite population on pitcher‐available nitrogen). However, Creutzeria deutonymphs could not be found on any of the E. schuitemakeri adults emerged during the experiments, suggesting these utilize other inquiline species as dispersal agents, or require environmental/stress trigger factors to form deutonymphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study an attempt is made to highlight important variables shaping the current bioclimatic niche of a number of mite species associated with the infestation of stored products by employing a species distribution modeling (SDM) approach. Using the ENVIREM dataset of bioclimatic variables, performance of the most robust models was mostly influenced by: 1) indices based on potential evapotranspiration, which characterize ambient energy and are mostly correlated with temperature variables, moisture regimes, and 2) strong fluctuations in temperature reflecting the severity of climate and/or extreme weather events. Although the considered mite species occupy man-made ecosystems, they remain more or less affected by the surrounding bioclimatic environment and therefore could be subjected to contemporary climate change. In this respect investigations are needed to see how this will affect future management targets concerning the safety of food storages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River islands are a natural element of fluvial river systems. They are the refuge of many species of plants and animals and of unchanged ecological systems. Due to their spatial isolation, river islands are good places to observe colonization processes of both flora and fauna (biota). The goal of our research was to observe the development of soil mite communities colonizing the river island. Mite communities on river islands are dominated by eurytopic species, which are r‐strategists, reproduce parthenogenetically, and can be dispersed either passively by the wind or actively by phoresis on insects, small mammals, or birds. The main factors limiting the diversity of acarofauna on river islands are floods (and the resulting soil moisture content of the environment) and spatial isolation. The fertility of the habitat (content of humus) is of less importance. The results of our research indicate that Oribatida are the most sensitive to frequent flooding and high soil moisture, and they were the least effective in colonizing the island. Among the species resistant to the above‐mentioned limiting factors were Cheiroseius borealis, Cheiroseius bryophillus, Cheiroseius curtipes, Liochthonius lapponicus, Punctoribates punctum, Arctoseius cetratus, Parasitus beta, Ameroseius corbicula, Oribatula tibialis, Tectocepheus velatus, and representatives of Acarididae, Pygmephoridae, Stigmeidae, and Tarsonemidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four feather mites – Analges spiniger Giebel, 1871 (Analgidae), Pandionacarus fuscus (Nitzsch, 1818), Zachvatkinia issykkulica Chirov, 1978 (Avenzoariidae), and Proctophyllodes sylviae Gaud, 1957 (Proctophyllodidae) – are reported for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Males and females of A. spiniger and Pr. sylviae were collected from the blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla dammholzi Stresemann, 1928 (Passeriformes), while Z. issykkulica and P. fuscus specimens were collected from the Saunders's tern, Sternula saundersi (Hume, 1877) (Charadriiformes) and the osprey, Pandion haliaetus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Accipitriformes), respectively. The families Analgidae and Proctophyllodidae, as well as the genus Pandionacarus, are new to this country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summaries of taxonomic knowledge are provided for all acarine groups in Canada, accompanied by references to relevant publications, changes in classification at the family level since 1979, and notes on biology relevant to estimating their diversity. Nearly 3000 described species from 269 families are recorded in the country, representing a 56% increase from the 1917 species reported by Lindquist et al. (1979). An additional 42 families are known from Canada only from material identified to family- or genus-level. Of the total 311 families known in Canada, 69 are newly recorded since 1979, excluding apparent new records due solely to classification changes. This substantial progress is most evident in Oribatida and Hydrachnidia, for which many regional checklists and family-level revisions have been published. Except for recent taxonomic leaps in a few other groups, particularly of symbiotic mites (Astigmata: feather mites; Mesostigmata: Rhinonyssidae), knowledge remains limited for most other taxa, for which most species records are unpublished and may require verification. Taxonomic revisions are greatly needed for a large majority of families in Canada. Based in part on species recorded in adjacent areas of the USA and on hosts known to be present here, we conservatively estimate that nearly 10,000 species of mites occur in Canada, but the actual number could be 15,000 or more. This means that at least 70% of Canada's mite fauna is yet unrecorded. Much work also remains to match existing molecular data with species names, as less than 10% of the ~7500 Barcode Index Numbers for Canadian mites in the Barcode of Life Database are associated with named species. Understudied hosts and terrestrial and aquatic habitats require investigation across Canada to uncover new species and to clarify geographic and ecological distributions of known species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of several acaridid species to colonize and feed in different nutritional substrates, such as grain crops, oil seeds, damaged vegetables, mixed fodder, hay and straw from the mangers and litter of livestock keeping places, litter, ambrosia and dead bees from beehive bottoms, is investigated. Species-specific differences in indices of domination and occurrence, and of Sørensen and Jaccard coefficients of similarity of species compositions on different substrates are related not only to the nutritional inequality of these substrates, but also to the mite ability to grind them and to absorb these substrates through intracellular, contact and cavitary digestion using certain hydrolytic enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

House dust mites (HDM) are globally distributed in human habitats. The most favourable locations for their development are carpets, curtains, couches, mattresses and pillows. This association with indoor environments makes HDM one of the most important sources of indoor allergens. Distribution and concentration may be influenced by food availability, temperature and, mostly, humidity. This study investigated seasonal and environmental patterns in HDM communities in order to understand the influence of housing type and climate conditions on their richness, abundance and concentration. We sampled four different types of housing (brick houses, wooden houses, carpeted apartments and tiled-floor apartments) and four habitats (double mattress, couch, curtain and carpet). We carried out four samplings in 2010, each one in a season of the year, and collected a total of 128 samples. We analysed richness, abundance and concentration of all sample units. We found a total of 1653 mites.Blomia tropicalis(van Bronswijk, Cock & Oshima, 1973),Dermatophagoides farinaeHughes, 1961 andTarsonemus fusariiCooreman, 1941 were the most abundant species. All variables tended to decrease from winter to summer. Wooden and carpeted houses had higher richness and abundance than brick houses and tiled-floor apartments. Curtain had the highest concentration, followed by double mattress, couch and carpet. We found seasonal and environmental variations in the community structure of HDM. Concluding, we demonstrated the prevalence of allergenic indoor mites in the coldest months, in more favourable conditions of wooden and carpeted houses. This study indicates that through careful regulation of climatic conditions, housekeeping policies and laundering procedures, dust mite and allergen levels can be controlled even in a climate suitable for the development of breeding mite populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new feather mite species, Trouessartia sechellarum sp. n. (Astigmata: Analgoidea: Trouessartiidae), is described from the Seychelles magpie-robin Copsychus sechellarum (Passeriformes: Muscicapidae), an endangered endemic passerine bird inhabiting the Seychelles Islands. The most clear features distinguishing this mite from the related species, T. microfolia Gaud, 1952, are as follows: in both sexes, setae c2 do not exceed 30 μm and are subequal in length to setae c3 and sRIII; in males, the hysteronotal shield is completely split into the prohysteronotal and lobar parts by a narrow groove, and the terminal lamellae are attenuate apically; in females, the median part of the hysteronotal shield bears numerous ovate lacunae, the terminal cleft width is approximately equal to the opisthosomal lobe width, and the collar of the spermathecal head is smooth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheese infested with cheese mites is usually treated as unpalatable. Nevertheless, some traditional cheese manufactories in Germany and France intentionally use mites for fermentation of special varieties (i.e. Milbenkäse and Mimolette). While their production includes different mite species, both are characterized by a 'lemon-like' flavor. However, the chemical nature and origin of this flavor-component is unknown. The cheese mites possess a pair of opisthosomal glands producing blends of hydrocarbons, terpenes and aromatics. Here, we describe the chemical profiles of the astigmatid mite species Tyrolichus casei (Milbenkäse) and Acarus siro (Mimolette). Although the chemical profiles differ in several aspects, both mite species produce neral (a volatile flavor component of lemon oil), which was absent from the headspace of both cheeses without mites. We conclude that the lemon-like flavor of mite cheese is not a consequence of fermentation of the cheese itself but a component from secretions of the cheese mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Neodermation actitis sp. nov. (Acariformes: Dermationidae) is described from the Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (Linnaeus) (Charadriiformes: Scolopacidae) in the Russian Far East using light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species differs from the closely related Neodermation belonopteri Fain, 1964 in the following features: in males, the hysteronotal shield is distinctly ornamented (vs. unornamented in N. belanopteri), setae e2 are situated on the hysteronotal shield (vs. off this shield), the external projection of the terminal membrane is triangular and subequal to the median one (vs. smaller than the median projection); in females, the postero-lateral projections of the hysteronotal shield are strongly sclerotized (vs. sclerotized as other parts of this shield. An emended diagnosis of the genus Neodermation is given. Differences in the external morphology of male and female tritonymphs of N. actitis are also described. Precopulatory mate-guarding behavior is recorded for the first time for dermationids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among acarid mites, a number of species are characterised by the presence of discontinuous morphologies (armed heteromorphs vs. unarmed homeomorphs) associated with alternative mating tactics (fighting vs. scramble competition). In Rhizoglyphus echinopus, expression of the fighter morph is suppressed, via pheromones, in large, dense colonies. If this mechanism is adaptive, fighters should have relatively lower fitness in large and/or dense colonies, due to costs incurred from fighting, which is often fatal. In order to test these predictions, we quantified the survival and mating success of fighters and scramblers in colonies of equal sex and morph ratios; these colonies either differed in size (4, 8, or 32 individuals) but not density or differed in density but not size (all consisted of 8 individuals). We found that the relative survival and mating success of fighters was inversely related to colony size, but we did not find a significant effect of colony density. The higher mating success of fighters in small colonies was due to the fact that, after killing rival males, these fighters were able to monopolise females. This situation was not found in larger colonies, in which there was a larger number of competitors and fighters suffered relatively higher mortality. These results indicate that morph determination, guided by social cues, allows for the adaptive adjustment of mating tactics to existing demographic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: De novo biosynthesis of linoleic acid (LA) and its conversion to (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene were examined in Carpoglyphus lactis (Acarina, Carpoglyphidae). Experiments involving 13C-administration using [1-13C]-d-glucose revealed that 13C atoms were incorporated into LA of total lipid extracted from the mite, resulting in labeling of all even-numbered carbons. This result demonstrated that LA was produced from 13C-labeled acetyl-CoA, which is indicative of direct de novo biosynthesis. In these feeding experiments involving [1-13C]-d-glucose, 13C atoms were also incorporated into (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene, which is one of the major secretory components in the mite. The labeling pattern of (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene at odd-numbered carbons agreed well with that of LA after loss of the carboxyl carbon. It was concluded that the mites could stably convert LA into (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene without the dietary requirement of this essential fatty acid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study reports on four species of mites in the family Histiostomatidae phoretic on the Australian giant earwig, Titanolabis colossea ( Dohrn) ( Dermaptera: Anisolabididae). The species included are Histiostoma australiense Mahunka , H. feroniarum ( Dufour ), H. humiditatis ( Vitzthum ) and H. titanolabi sp. nov. The previously unknown adults of H. australiense are described from specimens reared in laboratory culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mold mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), is a stored product pest of economic significance that commonly infests many types of food and animal feed products. There is limited information regarding pest management tactics, including residual acaricides for managing this pest in retail store habitats. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of commercially available acaricides that could provide a protective barrier near susceptible food packages destined for consumer use. Mite mortality at 24 and 48 h was measured after exposing mites to acaricide residues applied to a nonporous surface. Two additional factors included in the study were humidity and the presence of an adjuvant to facilitate spread of acaricide on nonporous surfaces. Increasing humidity levels generally decreased acaricide efficacy. Use of the adjuvant itself did not appear to affect efficacy, but the type of application (wet or slurry, or dry) of dust acaricides significantly affected efficacy. The potential for residual acaricides to act as a barrier (within 24-48 h) against dispersal of this mite was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduced millipede species in the family Julidae are common in the U.S. but little is known about how they interact with other organisms, such as mites. To start to determine the nature of the relationship, millipedes were sampled from across the eastern U.S.A. and the United Kingdom in 2008-2009. Sixteen morphospecies of mites (Acari: Astigmata, Mesostigmata) were collected from these millipedes, 12 of which from a total of 13 species of julid millipedes. None of these 12 species was restricted to a single host species. However, 12 of the 16 mite species collected were restricted to either the U.S.A. or the U.K. These results are consistent with locality, rather than host, specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaesacarus rhombeus (= Acarus rhombeus Koch & Berendt, 1854) from the Upper Eocene Baltic amber is the oldest known fossil of Astigmata, and therefore is important for calibrating the molecular clock for mite phylogenies and inferring the direction of character state changes in phylogenetic analyses. Based on the imprecise original description, it has been included in five different families of astigmatan and non-astigmatan mites. Using a novel method of sample preparation, we provide a detailed taxonomic characterization of G. rhombeus based on the type material and many additional specimens. We show that G. rhombeus belongs to a unique, previously unknown lineage of astigmatan mites (Glaesacarus gen. nov. and Glaesacaridae fam. nov.). The family Glaesacaridae does not have any close recent relatives, although some apomorphies or presumed apomorphies indicate that it may be distantly related to the extant family Lemanniellidae. Morphological evidence found in Glaesacaridae further challenges the current concept of the superfamily 'Canestrinioidea', an assemblage including Canestriniidae, Heterocoptidae, and Lemanniellidae, and calls for the exclusion of the two latter taxa from this superfamily. Furthermore, we show that the authorship of Sarcoptidae, one of the families in which G. rhombeus was placed historically, should be Berendt (1845). The terminal hysterosoma of G. rhombeus females has a unique, pad-like organ, resembling several structures found in males of many Astigmata that are used to hold the female during copulation. An exceptionally well-preserved copulating pair of G. rhombeus provides insights into the functional morphology of this organ, which apparently was used by the female to cling to the male during mating, suggesting that females assumed the active role during mating and have partial or complete control over copulation. This reversal of the stereotypic sex roles is a very rare example among animals performing direct insemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A survey was carried out to investigate astigmatid mites associated with four unrelated insect species, belonging to four families. The four insect species, Musca domestica (Linnaeus, 1785) (Diptera: Muscidae), Labidura riparia (Pallas, 1773) (Dermaptera: Labiduridae), Gryllus bimaculatus (DeGeer, 1773) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), and Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae), collected from different localities in Riyadh, were observed. Four astigmatid mites (Caloglyphus csibbii Eraky, Histiostoma camphori Eraky, Histiostoma pickaxei Eraky and Shoker, and Myianoetus lili Eraky) belonging to two families, Acaridae and Histiostomatidae, were recorded on G. bimaculatus, L. riparia, P. americana, and M. domestica, respectively. All recorded mites are considered new to Saudi Arabian mite fauna. One individual of Copronomoia sphaerocerae (Vitzthum) (Histiostomatidae) mite, previously recorded in Saudi Arabia, was found on M. domestica. For each mite species found, notes on density and attachment sites are given. An identification key, based on deutonymphal stages, for the five mite species reported in this study and other phoretic astigmatid mites previously recorded on insects in Saudi Arabia is provided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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