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In this study, based on morphology and DNA barcodes, new records of water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) collected in August 2017 in North Iran are presented. Hydrodroma golestanica n. sp. (Hydrodromidae) is described as new for science. We also resurrect three previously synonymized species: Sperchon amuzgari Bader Sepasgosarian, 1979 (Sperchontidae), Monatractides persicus Pei Saboori, 2004 and Torrenticola baueri Bader Sepasgozarian, 1987 (Torrenticolidae).

A new species of Biskratrombium (Trombidiformes: Microtrombidiidae), B. persicumn. sp. is described and illustrated, from Fars province, southern Iran. Biskratrombium persicum larvae are ectoparasites of the adults of Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) alexandri (Sinton, 1928), P. (Phlebotomus) papatasi (Scopoli, 1786) and Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) mervynae (Pringle, 1953) (Diptera: Psychodidae). Fars province is considered as a significant focus of leishmaniasis, a disease which is mostly associated with rural areas; these areas offer favorable habitats to the phlebotomine sandflies due to limited sanitation. This study was performed to identify the natural enemies of sandflies (as leishmania disease vectors) in this region. In this research, B. persicum larvae were removed from their sandfly hosts collected from foci of leishmaniasis (e.g., sheep and goat keeping locations) using sticky traps. Also, the abundance of sandflies infested with the parasitic mite was calculated. Some morphological abnormalities in the species are noted and world parasitengone mites parasitizing phlebotomine sandflies are reviewed.

Morphology-based identification of Allothrombium spp., in view of the limited knowledge of intraspecific variation, hinders the recognition of species borders and affects the views on the actual distribution of species. Therefore, identification will benefit from reference to molecular methods. The separate species identity of specimens putatively representing Allothrombium fuliginosum and A. pulvinum, both reported as widely distributed in the Palaearctic region and considered as potential biological control agents, was checked using morphological and molecular analyses. The representatives of various Allothrombium spp. collected in the Palaearctic were included in the analysis in order to ascertain the distance between species. The results of the morphological examination, supported by statistical inference, along with the comparison of COI and/or ITS2 sequences, weaken the hypothesis of synoccurrence of both species in the Palaearctic region. Hence, we hypothesize that A. fuliginosum is widely distributed in the Palaearctic, whereas A. pulvinum should be regarded a Nearctic species.

A new species, Adamystis ekaterinae Ghasemi-Moghadam Saboori sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on adult females collected from soil in the Chitgar Forest Park, Iran. This new species is distinguished by having dimpled vacuoles between sci and sce on lateral propodosoma; one pair of eyes associated with postocular bodies; smooth dorsal idiosomal shield; setae h1, h2, ps1 and ps2 on smooth platelets and lacking lens like structures.

Chigger mites of Iran have been revised based on examination of type materials in the collection of Zoological Museum of Moscow University and reference data. Hitherto, 85 species of trombiculids were recorded in Iran; synonymy, diagnoses, data on depositories of type specimens, lists of hosts and collection localities are given for each species. Original measurements of holotypes or paratypes are provided for 46 species. Four new combinations are proposed: Ornithogastia merops (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970) comb. nov., transferred from Guntherana; O. oenanthe (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970) comb. nov., transferred from Guntherana; Microtrombicula galerida (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970), comb. nov., transferred from Eltonella; and M. meriones (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970), comb. nov., transferred from Eltonella. Comparison of our measurements of holotypes with those given in the original species descriptions published by Kudryashova was carried out using statistical methods to establish probable systematic bias between metric data obtained by different researchers. A key to species of Iranian trombiculid larvae is compiled. With the use of public geoinformation online resources, actual names and coordinates were established for all 48 sites of Iran where chigger mites were collected.

The ectoparasitic honey bee mite Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Acari: Varroidae) is one of the major concerns for worldwide beekeeping. The use of synthetic pyrethroids for controlling the mite was among the most popular treatments until resistance evolved in the mid 1990's. In Iran, beekeepers are dealing with the parasite and they also used pyrethroids for controlling the mite for a long time. After the evolution of resistance to pyrethroids, they based mite control mostly on treatments with amitraz, organic acids and several management practices. Here we conducted a comprehensive characterization of V. destructor populations parasitizing Apis mellifera in Iran. We determined the genetic variability of mites collected from 28 localities distributed throughout the country. The haplotype of V. destructor was determined by PCR-RFLP, analyzing a fragment of the mitochondrial cox1 gene. It was found that only the Korean haplotype was present in samples from all localities. DNA fragments from cox1, atp6, cox3 and cytb mitochondrial genes were sequenced and the results showed that all samples were identical to the K1-1 or the K1-2 V. destructor haplotypes. Moreover, as it has been reported that resistance to pyrethroids in V. destructor is associated with mutations at position 925 of the voltage-gated sodium channel, a TaqMan ® -based allelic discrimination assay was conducted to genotype the mites collected. The results showed that all the mites tested were homozygous for the wild-type allele and, therefore, susceptible to treatment with pyrethroids.

Pollux kovalamicus Haitlinger, 2002 is redescribed based on the holotype and three additional specimens (larvae) collected from Iran (Sistan and Baluchistan Province) and Pakistan. It is the first report of the genus from Iran. The following character states from the original description are corrected: scutum and scutalae AL and PL present, ML absent, 4n setae on BFe I (3 in original description), microseta on Ge I and II and Ti I present (absent in original description); companion seta (z) and famulus on Ta I and II present (absent in original description). Pollux walii Kamran et al., 2010 is herein considered to be a junior synonym of P. kovalamicus. A key to the world species of Pollux is given.

A new pachylaelapid mite Pachyseius persicus Babaeian & Mašán sp. nov. is described and illustrated, based on adult females collected from litter and soil detritus of forest habitat in Northern Iran (Mazandaran Province). The new species can be easily distinguished from the other congeners by the following female character states: (1) presternal shields absent; (2) sternal shield coarsely punctate-reticulate over entire surface; (3) ventrianal shield with four pairs of pre-anal setae; (4) post-stigmatic section of peritrematal shields terminally rounded, reaching slightly beyond the coxae IV; (5) exopodal shields II-III free, exopodal shields III-IV fused to posterior section of peritrematal shields; (6) idiosoma with 11 pairs of setae in soft integument; (7) trochanter I with five setae, tarsus II with three spur-like setae, tarsus IV with 17 setae. Two species of Pachyseius previously reported from Iran, namely Pachyseius angustus Hyatt, 1956 and Pachyseius humeralis Berlese, 1910, are reviewed and discussed, respectively, and both records are considered to be based on misidentifications.

Geholaspis (Geholaspis) pennulatus sp. nov. is described from females and males collected from forest leaf litter in Northern Iran. The new species can be easily recognised by its barbed setae j2 and z1, dorsal shield seta j5 located posterior to j6 and z6, a very wide ventri-anal shield, and the shape of the epistome. Geholaspis (G.) comelicensis Lombardini, 1962 is considered as a junior synonym of G. (G.) pauperior (Berlese, 1918). A new key for the separation of females of known species of Geholaspis (Geholaspis) is presented.

While searching for food, predators may use volatiles associated with their prey, but also with their competitors for prey. This was tested for the case of Zetzellia mali (Ewing) (Acari: Stigmaeidae), an important predator of the hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher) (Acari: Tetranychidae), in black-cherry orchards in Baraghan, Iran. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, the response of this predatory mite was tested to odour from black-cherry leaves with a conspecific female predatory mite, either with or without a female of the hawthorn spider mite when the alternative odour came from black-cherry leaves with the hawthorn spider mite only. Female predators avoided odours from leaves with both a hawthorn spider mite and a conspecific predator, as well as leaves with a conspecific predator only. We discuss whether avoidance emerges in response to cues from the competitor/predator, the herbivore/prey or the herbivore-damaged plant.

The deutonymphs of Allothrombium pulvinum Ewing (Acari: Trombidiidae) are among the most important natural enemies of spider mites in North, North East and West Iran. In this study, maximum predation rate and preference experiments were conducted with A. pulvinum deutonymphs on apple leaf discs, to determine their preference for either of two spider mite species: Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Maximum predation rate tests showed that the predatory mite consumed more eggs and females of T. urticae than of A. viennensis. Furthermore, the Manly's preference index for eggs and females of T. urticae confirmed that T. urticae were the preferred prey. The functional response of A. pulvinum deutonymphs on females of T. urticae was examined over a 24-h period. Predation of A. pulvinum deutonymphs presented with females of T. urticae followed a type III functional response. Estimated handling time for the predatory mites was 4.51 h and attack coefficient b, which describes the changes in attack rate with prey densities in a type III functional response, was 0.021.

In this study aphid-plant association and its effect on host preference of parasitic Allothrombium pulvinum larvae was examined with multiple-choice tests. Host species selection, host size selection and superparasitism with mite larvae were studied with two-choice tests. Three aphid species were used: Macrosiphum rosae, Aphis gossypii and Hyalopterus amygdali. In multiple-choice tests, larvae of A. pulvinum showed no significant preference for any aphid-plant association when given M. rosae on rose, A. gossypii on cucumber and H. amygdali on apricot simultaneously. Two-choice tests showed that larval mites preferred H. amygdali to A. gossypii, but had no preference when offered a choice between A. gossypii and M. rosae or between H. amygdali and M. rosae. In host size selection and superparasitism tests, significantly more mites selected the larger host (M. rosae). Furthermore, parasitised H. amygdali were preferred to unparasitised ones.

This article provides information on the genus Erythraeus and its subgenera, specifically focusing on the larval stage. It discusses the subgenus Erythraeus, which is divided into two groups based on the number of basifemoralae, and Erythraeus phalangoides is classified in the first group. The article presents new data on larval specimens of E. phalangoides and transfers Erythraeus walii to the subgenus Erythraeus. It includes measurements and setae counts for E. phalangoides and compares E. walii to other species within the Erythraeus genus. The authors express gratitude to the South Australian Museum for allowing them to study type specimens and provide a list of references for further reading. [Extracted from the article]

Atractothrombium joharchii sp. nov. ectoparasitic on an unknown Tachinidae (Insecta: Diptera) is described from Alborz province, Iran. A re-definition of the genus Atractothrombium is presented. A key to the larval genera of Microtrombidiinae of the world with two median scuta and anterior scutum with longitudinal striations is given. Leg setal formula of two species of Fissitrombium described by Southcott (1994) are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Leptus, L. (L.) brevitarsus sp. n., is described and illustrated from ectoparasitic larvae collected from grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Australia. The new species belongs to the phalangii species group and torresianus species subgroup. An updated key to species of torresianus species subgroup is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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

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]

The present study reports the results of surveys carried out over a period of two years (2018 and 2020) in four provinces of Iran: Guilan, Razavi Khorasan, Mazandaran, and Sistan and Baluchestan. Twenty-three species from eight genera of Phytoseiidae have been collected, of which two species were newly recorded for Iran, namely: Euseius gallicus and Proprioseiopsis lineatus. Three species, namely Neoseiulus agrestis, Amblyseius obtusus, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) haiastanius are new records for the Guilan Province. Neoseiulus californicus and Amblyseius swirskii are new records for the Mazandaran Province while Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) haiastanius is a new record for the Razavi Khorasan Province. All species collected in Sistan and Baluchestan are new records for this province. The worldwide distribution and plant hosts of all collected phytoseiids during this study are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of spider mite counterattack and defensive behavior and their effects on predatory mites have only been investigated in social species. Here, we have examined the defensive success of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) male individuals in the presence of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) juveniles. We recorded the number of T. urticae eggs eaten (killed) within three days along with monitoring the predator (dead/alive) status. The defensive behavior of T. urticae male was considered as success when the predator had consumed less than 50% of the prey eggs and was killed at the end of the experimental period. Our main hypothesis was that introducing an additional male would increase the defensive success rate. Results showed that the success rate was significantly higher in the patches with two T. urticae male individuals compared to one. No significant difference were observed among the egg-eating (killing) rate within the three consecutive days of experiment in patches with one male, while in the treatments with an additional male, the egg killing rate of the third day was significantly higher than that on the first day. We also hypothesized that male T. urticae with significant higher rate of defensive success should be morphologically different in comparison with the defeated ones. We found no significant differences in the length of chelicera, first leg and body (length and width) between the successful versus defeated males. We concluded that T. urticae can attack the predator, but the weapon by which the success happens remained unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Nearly 60,000 species of Acari have been described in the world, many more await discovery and description. Persian Journal of Acarology has been one of the important journals for publishing articles on all aspects of acarology during the last 10 years (2012–2021). It published 315 papers including 248 articles, 63 correspondence articles, one monograph, and three book reviews by 188 authors during this decade, with descriptions of 66 new species. Four new genera were described in PJA in 2015 and 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the distribution of chigger mite species over mammal hosts, attachment sites on the host body, habitats, and seasons in Iran. The study was based on 2155 specimens of 36 chigger species collected from 10 species of Muridae, Cricetidae, and Soricidae across six provinces of northern Iran. A high level of mixed infestation by chiggers was recorded—76% of hosts parasitized by chiggers were infested by more than one (2–8) species. Statistically significant differences in the preference for anterior and posterior parts of the host body were found. Three species—Neotrombicula lubrica, N. delijani, and Cheladonta firdousii—preferred the posterior part of the host body; 12 species were characterized by the occurrence in the anterior part and differed from one another by the frequency of presence in the posterior part. One species, Hirsutiella alpina, was found only in the anterior part of the host body (inside the ears of rodents). The most diverse chigger fauna was on the fringe of Golestan National Park (species richness = 21, Shannon–Wiener index = 2.823). The chigger fauna of the high-mountain localities on the Alborz Range was the least diverse (species richness = 16, Shannon–Wiener index = 2.439). The seasonal aspect of activity was evident for Neotrombicula elegans, which exposed the autumn–winter period of the occurrence on hosts, and N. vernalis, with the winter-spring peak of abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf domatia as a habitat-produced structure is considered to moderate the interaction intensity among guild parties. We studied whether domatia of sweet pepper (Capsicum annum) leaves could reduce the adverse effects of predation of a phytoseiid on behalf of an intraguild predatory mite on a phytoseiid intraguild prey, and a tetranychid extraguild prey. In the domatia-provided treatments where Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) females were considered as predator, significantly fewer Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot juveniles were killed, and eaten in comparison with the treatments without domatia. The predation rate of A. swirskii was affected by the domatia i.e. the number of eaten P. persimilis was significantly lower on patches with four domatia rather than those with no domatium, however, no significant difference was observed between those in patches with two, and four domatia. Both natural, and artificial domatia could reduce the predation rate on P. persimilis juveniles. When P. persimilis females were considered as predators, the number of A. swirskii killed juveniles was affected neither by presence nor by the number of leaf domatia. The number of eaten Tetranychus urticae Koch eggs/larvae in patches with either of the intraguild predator species was not affected by the presence, the number, and the type of domatia. We suggest that leaf domatia could affect the survival of phytoseiid predatory mites as the guild participants even when the highly aggressive intraguild predator, A. swirskii, enters such structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mite family Ameroseiidae with 138 valid species is presently classified in the superfamily Ascoidea of the order Mesostigmata. Seventy-two species have been described based on type specimens and no report has been done since then, while the other 66 species have been frequently reported from around the world. The objective of this study is to provide information about distribution and habitat of the latter group, which are listed in twelve genera: Ameroseius (21 species), Kleemannia (15), Neocypholaelaps (8), Epicriopsis (7), Hattena and Sertitympanum (4 each), Ameroseiella (2), Afrocypholaelaps, Asperolaelaps, Brontispalaelaps, Pseudoameroseius and Sinoseius (1 each). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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]

Leptus (Leptus) pouryayevalii sp. nov. (Acari: Erythraeidae), collected by shaking the leaves of weeds on white tray (off host) from Koushk Bala village, Chalous road, Alborz Province, Iran, is described and illustrated based on larva. This species belongs to the sudanensis species group and hospeticus species subgroup which can be identified based on the following characters: TFe I without solenidion, Ge I with two solenidia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Biodiversity is an important factor in soil quality and functionality. Physical and chemical changes during agricultural operations influence on soil biodiversity. Tillage and irrigation significantly change the life of soil microorganisms. The current study was conducted in Khodabandeh County during the wheat growing season. The effect of the first treatment (two tillage systems: conventional and no-tillage systems) and the second treatment (months) in two years on the biodiversity of oribatid mites, were investigated in irrigated and rain-fed wheat farms. Twelve samples were collected randomly per each sampling time during 21 April, 5 June and 30 July 2014 and 10 May, 12 June and 31 July 2015 coinciding with tillering stage, stem elongation and harvesting. Twelve species from eight families and 12 genera were identified. Among them, Opiella nova with 24.4% relative abundance was the abundant species in 2014 and Rhinopia bipectinata with 27.5% was the abundant species in 2015. The highest value of the Shannon-Wiener diversity index was observed in the irrigated no-tillage (I-NT) system. The statistical results of the ANOVA test showed a significant difference in the Shannon-Wiener diversity index among the four systems. Shannon-Wiener diversity index in the I-NT system had a significant difference with the I-CT system (irrigated-conventional tillage). There were no significant differences between I-CT and I-NT in terms of species richness index while differences between I-NT and R-CT systems and between R-NT and R-CT systems were significant. Also, results showed that species richness index at the time of tillering stage was significantly higher than that of stem elongation. The interaction between two treatments did not show a significant difference. There was no significant difference between the two years, so the results of the two years were merged. [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]

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

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]

Members of the family Podapolipidae (Acari: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata) are highly specialized obligate parasites of various insects particularly Coleoptera and usually live in the subelytral cavity of host beetles. These mites exhibit a degree of host specificity at the family level. However, a remarkable exception is the genus Podapolipus, members of which parasitize three families of Coleoptera, some Orthoptera and a few Blattaria. In a survey on parasitic mites associated with insects in southern parts of Iran (Fars province), colonies of a new species of this genus were found. The mite Podapolipus laricus Majidi and Hajiqanbar sp. n. is described and illustrated. Colonies of mites were separated from under elytra and terminal abdominal segments of tenebrionid beetles, Trachyderma hispida Forskål, 1775 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Pimeliinae). The new species is compared with closely related species, Podapolipus khorasanicus Hajiqanbar, 2013 and P. luzoni Husband and Corpus-Raros, 1989. The beetle genus Trachyderma is a new host record for mites of the genus Podapolipus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oribatid mites are one of the dominant soil microarthropods. These mites have an important role in increasing soil fertility through organic materials decomposition. Oribatid mite communities (Acari: Oribatida) were investigated in orchards of five regions (Ahar, Kaleibar, Varzaghan, Heris and Horand) in East Azerbaijan province, Iran. The oribatid mites were studied in each orchard (apple orchards with size of approximately 0.4 ha were selected) by collecting 12 samples taken from a maximum depth of 20 cm. Sampling was performed for six months in 2015. The oribatid species diversity (Shannon-Wiener index), Species richness (Rarefaction and Jackknife methods), Evenness by Shannon's index and similarity (Sorensen index) were calculated with Ecological Methodology 6.0 software for all the regions. A total of 75 species belonging to 57 genera and 38 families of oribatid mites were collected and identified. The highest number of species (54 spp.) was found in the orchards of Kaleibar, while the studied orchards of Varzaghan had the lowest number of species (21 spp.). One-way ANOVA analysis showed that the Shannon- Wiener species diversity was highest in Kaleibar (H = 3.409) and Ahar (H = 3.419). Also, Kaleibar and Ahar had the highest species richness (Kaleibar: 79.8 species, Ahar: 70.7 species). Among studied regions, Kaleibar and Ahar had the highest species richness and species diversity but Varzaghan showed the lowest values, apparently because of geographical and climate differences between these regions. [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]

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In order to increase their inclusive fitness, animals predominantly probe their changing environment for predation cues to adopt appropriate antipredator strategies and decrease the costs of defensive behavior. Intraguild predation (IGP) occurs when a predator kills and consumes individuals of another predator which is its competitor for a shared prey. IGP is prevalent among predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae which are used as biological control agents of agricultural pests worldwide. Phytoseiid mite mothers usually display antipredator behaviors to avoid or reduce IGP risk of their juveniles. When facing a novel IGP risk, experience may enable the mothers to display more efficient antipredator responses. We studied the effect of experience on reciprocal antipredator behaviors of an indigenous predatory phytoseiid mite, i.e., Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes, and an exotic one, i.e., Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, as biological control candidates for integrated pest management strategies in Iran. First, we determined the occurrence of IGP and mutual risk of the predators within the guild; IGP occurred reciprocally and A. swirskii was the stronger IG predator. Second, in choice situations between a patch with only shared prey and a patch with shared prey plus IGP risk cues, we scrutinized patch choice, oviposition site selection and ability to counterattack by females of each species that had either experienced the IGP risk or not. The experience did not affect patch choice and oviposition behaviors of the species whereas it elicited an increase in their predation on IG predator juveniles. We suggest that the presence of IG predator juveniles and cues may not significantly modify the distribution of the IG prey species. The reinforced counterattack behavior in experienced females showed that both species were able to tune their antipredator behavior after exposure to IG predators. Consequences of the antipredator behaviors in experienced IG prey females on distribution and possibilities of the coexistence of the study species are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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]