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Two new diptilomiopid mite species of the genus Davisella Amrine, Stasny et Flechtmann are described from arboreal Meliaceae of economic potential from Bahia state, Northeastern Brazil—Davisella toonaesp. nov. from the exotic tree Toona ciliata M. Roem., and Davisella cedrelaesp. nov. from the native tree Cedrela odorata L. The two new species are vagrants on lower leaflets surfaces, and no apparent damage to the host plant was observed. Most of the nine species of the genus previously described were collected from the Americas and/or associated with dicotyledons. The two new species represent the first record of the genus in Meliaceae. An expanded diagnosis of Davisella and a key to the eleven species described is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a survey of Eriophyoidea mites on wild and cultivated Solanaceae plants in Central Brazil are presented. Five new taxa associated with plants in the genus Solanum are described and illustrated. They include one new genus with type species belonging to Phyllocoptinae, Calacarini—Viginticus lupusmalumgen. nov. & sp. nov.; two new species in the Eriophyinae, Aceriini—Aceria solanisp. nov. and Paraphytoptus tuberacutussp. nov., all of them associated with Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil.; and one new species in the Phyllocoptinae, Athocoptini—Aculus michereffisp. nov., associated with Solanum acanthodes Hook.. New host plants for the tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Tryon 1917), are reported. In addition, the first record of Calacarus speciosissimumFlechtmann, 1999 for Brazil and from Capsicum as host plants, and the first record of Rhynacus lippius Duarte, Chetverikov & Navia, 2016, on solanaceous plants are presented; supplementary descriptions of these species were elaborated. Diagnostic traits for Calacarus mites collected on Solanaceae plants around the world are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Leonseius Chant & McMurtry (Phytoseiidae: Typhlodrominae) was proposed to accommodate Typhloseiopsis regularisDe Leon, 1965, a species with a troubled taxonomic history that was previously classified in the genera Typhlodromus Scheuten, Diadromus Athias-Henriot and Chanteius Wainstein. Due to its Amblyseius-like appearance (long s4, Z4 and Z5, most other setae minute; atypical for a typhlodromine), the poor descriptions of reproductive structures (spermatheca, spermatodactyl), and probably also because at the time it was a monotypic genus, researchers over the years have based the species-level identification of Leonseius regularis mainly on dorsal and ventral idiosomal chaetotaxy and setal length. In a survey of phytoseiid mites conducted in cacao plantations (Theobroma cacao L.: Malvaceae) of the municipality of Ilhéus, Bahia, northeastern Brazil, we identified two distinct morphotypes among specimens initially identified as L. regularis. Herein we provide new morphological data for L. regularis to complement the original description and previous redescriptions, and then describe Leonseius elbanhawyi Carvalho, Ferragut & Oliveira sp. nov., from cacao, distinguishing it from L. regularis by its spermatheca and spermatodactyl. Also, the diagnosis of Leonseius is amended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytophagous mites belonging to the Eriophyoidea are extremely diverse and highly host-specific. Their accurate morphological identification is hampered by their reduced size and simplified bodies and by the existence of cryptic species complexes. Previous studies have demonstrated the urgency of applying multisource methods to accurate taxonomic identification of eriophyoid mites, especially species belonging to the genus Abacarus. This genus comprises 65 species, of which 37 are associated with grasses and four with sugarcane Saccharum (Poaceae). Recently, Abacarus specimens very similar to Abacarus sacchari were collected from the sugarcane crop in Brazil; however, their taxonomic placement was uncertain. In this study, we used an integrative approach to determine whether A. aff. sacchari specimens belong to A. sacchari or constitute a cryptic species. Morphological data were combined with molecular phylogeny based on the nucleotide sequences of three markers, one mitochondrial (COI) and two nuclear (D2 region of 28S and ITS). Morphological differences were observed between A. aff. sacchari, A. sacchari and A. doctus. The phylogenetic relationships among these three taxa and the genetic distances separating them revealed an interspecific divergence. The results of the morphological and molecular methods were congruent and supported the existence of a new species: Abacarus neosacchari n. sp. Duarte and Navia, herein described. This species belongs to the Abacarus cryptic species complex associated with sugarcane in the Americas. The results of this study, presenting the occurrence of multiple Abacarus species associated with sugarcane, contribute to the knowledge on plants and mites diversity by adding up one more clue highlighting that plant hybridization can be an important mechanism contributing to the speciation of plant-feeding arthropods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In some Brazilian regions the Atlantic forest biome is currently restrict to fragments occurring amid monocultures, as sugarcane crops in the Northeast region. Important influence of forest remnants over mite fauna of permanent crops have been showed, however it has been poorly explored on annual crops. The first step for understanding ecological relationship in an agricultural systems is known its composition. The objective of this study was to investigate the plant-inhabiting mite fauna associated with sugarcane crop ( Saccharum officinarum L.) (Poaceae) and caboatã (C upania oblongifolia Mart.) (Sapindaceae) trees in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. Sugarcane stalks and sugarcane and caboatã apical, middle and basal leaves were sampled. A total of 2565 mites were collected from sugarcane and classified into seven families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders, with most individuals belonging to the Eriophyidae, Tetranychidae and Tarsonemidae families. Among predatory mites, the Phytoseiidae were the most common. A total of 1878 mites were found on C. oblongifolia and classified into 13 families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders. The most abundant phytophagous mite family on caboatã was also Eriophyidae. In contrast to sugarcane, Ascidae was the most common predatory mite family observed in caboatã. No phytophagous species were common to both sugarcane and C. oblongifolia. However two predatory mites were shared between host plants. Although mites associated with only one native species in the forest fragment were evaluated in this study, our preliminary results suggest Atlantic forest native vegetation can present an important role in the sugarcane agricultural system as a source of natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming to recognize the distribution patterns of the mite fauna in soybean crops and to determine the existence of similarity in the composition of species between Cerrado fragments and these plantations, samplings were carried out in 10 areas located in Brazilian Mid-Western and Southeastern regions. Each area was comprised of one fragment of Cerrado sensu stricto and one adjacent soybean crop plantation, with simultaneous samplings carried out on both of them. From the total sampled species, 111 were recorded in the Cerrado and 25 in soybean crops. About 68 % were common in both environments and only eight were exclusively found in soybean. All the species of Phytoseiidae recorded in soybean were also found in the Cerrado. The tetranychid mite Mononychellus planki (McGregor) was the most abundant species (96.3 % of the total individuals) and the only one recorded in every sampled crop. The main occurrence of M. planki was verified in soybean crops using the transgenic cultivar ANTA 82. In general terms, it has been observed that Cerrado fragments do not shelter pest species that may attack soybean and can contribute to the increase of possible predator species in this agroecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new genera and three new species of eriophyoid mites are described from cultivated plants from northeastern Brazil, including native or introduced ornamental species widely used in urban landscapes. A new genus and a new species are described in the family Phytoptidae,Neoprothrixhibiscusgen. nov., sp. nov. from the flowering shrubHibiscus rosa-sinensis. This taxon represents the second genus and the second species to be described in the subfamily Prothricinae. A new genus and two new species are described in the family Eriophyidae both from Brazilian ornamental trees,Auriculatusclitoriagen. nov., sp. nov. fromClitoria fairchildianaandThamnacus paubrasilsp nov. fromCaesalpinia echinata. In addition, the EriophyidaeTegolophus indicaChakrabarti and Mondal from the fruit treeArtocarpusheterophyllus, is redescribed including a description of the male. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:881522D7-5288-49B4-9C34-B3E316ABEE20 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red palm miteRaoiella indicaHirst (Tenuipalpidae) was first reported in the New World in 2004, dispersing quickly and widely while adopting new plant species as hosts. Since then, it has caused severe damage in this region, especially to coconut (Cocos nuciferaL.). It was first found in Brazil in 2009, in the northern Amazonian state of Roraima. In the present study, native and introduced plants were sampled between March 2010 and February 2011 in sites of the 15 Roraima municipalities, to estimate its distribution and the associated mite fauna. In addition, monthly samples were taken from a coconut plantation in Mucajaí throughout the same period, for an initial appraisal of the levelsR. indicacould reach. It was found in 10 municipalities, on 19 plant species of four families. Six species are reported for the first time as hosts. Among the associated predators, 89.1% were Phytoseiidae, most commonlyAmblyseius largoensis(Muma),Iphiseiodes zuluagaiDenmark & Muma andEuseius concordis(Chant). The highest densities ofR.indica, 1.5 and 0.35 mites/cm2of leaflet (approx total of 331 and 77 mites/leaflet), were reached respectively in March 2010 and February 2011. The highest density of phytoseiids on coconut (0.009 mites/cm2or about 2 mites/leaflet) was reached in November 2010. The average densities ofR. indicarecorded for Roraima were comparable to those reported for countries in which the mite is reportedly economically damaging. The dispersal ofR. indicathrough the Amazon forest may result in damage to cultivated and native palms, and plants of other families, if the projected increase in both the frequency and the severity of drought events occurs. Parts of the Amazon have undergone periods of low rainfall, a condition that appears to favour the biology of this mite. Its eventual arrival to northeastern Brazil may result in heavy economic and ecological losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a research conducted in order to investigate new hosts and localities for spider mites in Brazil, South America. It discusses the collection of mites from 550 samples of 120 plants species using a washing/sieving extraction method. The study revealed the confirmation of tetranychid mite infestations in 204 samples, and 22 species belonging to seven genera of the Bryobiinae and Tetranychinae subfamilies.

Two new Tetranychidae (Prostigmata) mites are described from Brazil - Monoceronychus tchecensis n. sp., a bryobiine collected from weeping fingergrass, Eustachys distichophylla (Lag.) Nees (Poaceae), in the State of Rio Grande do Sul; and Oligonychus fileno n. sp., a tetranychine collected from grape, Vitis vinifera L. (Vitaceae), in the State of Minas Gerais. Monoceronychus tchecensis n. sp. is the second species in this genus described from South America. In addition to the description of these new species, the tetranychine Eotetranychus smithi Pritchard and Baker, 1955 was recorded for the first time for South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of eriophyid mite in the genus Procalacarus Mohanasundaram, 1983 (Phyllocoptinae, Calacarini) is described from cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae), collected in the semi-arid region of the North of Minas Gerais State. Procalacarus giustolinii n. sp. is the second eriophyoid mite species reported from cassava in the world and also the second species known in the genus Procalacarus. Mites are vagrant on upper leaf surfaces; large populations cause chlorosis, curling of leaves, light rusting and reduction of leaf limbs in basal regions of stems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aceria inusitata Britto and Navia n. sp. (Acari: Eriophyidae) is described from protogynes, deutogynes and two forms of males occurring under a 'patches of webbing' from 'pau-brasil,' Caesalpinia echinata L. (Caesalpiniaceae), leaves. This is the first example of a deuterogynous eriophyid mite in tropical regions with two forms of males, one resembling the protogyne and the other the deutogyne. In addition, biological observations are presented. Aberoptus cerostructor Flechtmann, is given a new generic assignment, Aceria cerostructor n. comb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mountainous regions in eastern Brazil are home to an astonishing variety of Phytoseius (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) species, 11 of which were collected in surveys conducted between 2010-2012. Our study revealed a great diversity in the plumifer species-group, in which we describe seven new taxa, P. maspretiosus sp. nov., P. multilunatus sp. nov., P. trisetatus sp. nov., P. itobira sp. nov., P. dasalmas sp. nov., P. bahiensis sp. nov., and P. paucipapillatus sp. nov.. This enabled us to compare close species in this group determining valid diagnostic characters, providing a critical review of the prevailing taxonomic traits and revealing unexpected patterns in important diagnostic features based on our observations and the literature. Moreover, we claim the taxonomic importance of two morphological traits usually mentioned in previous studies, but never exploited to their full potential: the female pattern of dorsal ornamentation and the shape of the male spermatodactyl. Aware of the incongruity that the exemplar species of the plumifer group, P. plumifer (Canestrini & Fanzago), belongs to the horridus species group, we propose that the group be renamed as mexicanus-species group. A key to the Brazilian species of Phytoseius is included.

Worldwide, the tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici (Eriophyidae), is a key pest on cultivated tomato in addition to infesting other cultivated and wild Solanaceae; however, basic information on TRM supporting effective control strategies is still lacking, mainly regarding its taxonomic status and genetic diversity and structure. As A. lycopersici is reported on different species and genera of host plants, populations associated with different host plants may constitute specialized cryptic species, as shown for other eriophyids previously considered generalists. The main aims of this study were to (i) confirm the TRM taxonomic unity of populations from different host plants and localities as well as the species' oligophagy, and (ii) to advance the understanding of TRM host relationship and invasion history. For this purpose, we evaluated the genetic variability and structure of populations from different host plants along crucial areas of occurrence, including the area of potential origin, based on DNA sequences of mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) and nuclear (internal transcribed spacer, D2 28S) genomic regions. Specimens from South America (Brazil) and Europe (France, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands) were collected from tomato and other solanaceous species from the genera Solanum and Physalis. Final TRM datasets were composed of 101, 82 and 50 sequences from the COI (672 bp), ITS (553 bp) and D2 (605 bp) regions, respectively. Distributions and frequencies of haplotypes (COI) and genotypes (D2 and ITS1) were inferred; pairwise genetic distance comparisons, and phylogenetic analysis were performed, including Bayesian Inference (BI) combined analysis. Our results showed that genetic divergences for mitochondrial and nuclear genomic regions from TRM associated with different host plants were lower than those observed in other eriophyid taxa, confirming conspecificity of TRM populations and oligophagy of this eriophyid mite. Four haplotypes (cH) were identified from the COI sequences with cH1 being the most frequent, representing 90% of all sequences occurring in all host plants studied (Brazil, France, The Netherlands); the other haplotypes were present exclusively in Brazilian populations. Six variants (I) were identified from the ITS sequences: I-1 was the most frequent (76.5% of all sequences), spread in all countries and associated with all host plants, except S. nigrum. Just one D2 sequence variant was found in all studied countries. The genetic homogeneity among populations highlights the occurrence of a highly invasive and oligophagous haplotype. These results failed to corroborate the hypothesis that differential symptomatology or damage intensity among tomato varieties and solanaceous host plants could be due to the genetic diversity of the associated mite populations. The genetic evidence, along with the history of spread of cultivated tomato, corroborates the hypothesis of a South American origin of TRM., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Several surveys were conducted between 2010 and 2012 in the Brazilian range Serra do Espinhao, a highly biodiverse region extending more than 1000 km in the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais. We report in this paper eight species of the genus Neoseiulus Hughes collected on natural, non-cultivated, vegetation. Two of these species are described, illustrated and proposed as new taxa, N. cipoensis sp. nov. and N. diamantinus sp. nov. New morphological information as well as host-plants and geographical distribution are provided for six additional species, N. benjamini (Schicha), N. californicus (McGregor), N. goiano Demite, Cavalcante Lofego, N. idaeus Denmark Muma, N. melinis Lofego Moraes, and N. tunus (De Leon).

The superfamily Eriophyoidea constitute a group of phytophagous mites of particular economic and evolutionary interest due to their intimate association with host plants and their agricultural importance as harmful or beneficial organisms. Studies on the Eriophyoidea fauna in Brazil started in the early 1900s with botanical works on cecidias and were continued with researchers looking for and reporting on eriophyid mites causing damage to agricultural crops. Therefore, in this annotated checklist, we compile information from just over a century on eriophyid mites reported or described from Brazil. Its purpose is to facilitate plant protection strategies and guide future work on this important group of phytophagous mites. In addition to taxonomy, we present information on host plants and general aspects of cecidia attributed to eriophyoid mites but without genus/species identification. Compilation was based on: i) literature, including papers, books, theses and congress/symposium publications; ii) specimens deposited in mite collections in Brazil. On each species we present: i) suprageneric/generic classification, synonyms and previous genus/era assignments, including references on original and/or additional descriptions; ii) type host plant and other host(s) plant(s) found in the country; iii) host relationships and remarks on symptoms; iv) localities of occurrences at States/Federal District and municipal levels; and v) host plant status in Brazil as well as biomes where they occur or are cultivated. A total of 234 valid eriophyoid mite species are recorded: 196 Eriophyidae, 20 Diptilomiopidae and 18 Phytoptidae, distributed in 92 genera. Host plants comprised 233 species, belonging to 141 genera and 56 plant families. Four new reports of eriophyoid mites in Brazil are presented based on specimens deposited in reference collections. A new combination is presented for Propeaciota secundum (Flechtmann, Amrine Stasny) in the genus Khanthongella. In addition, data on observations and descriptions of 67 cecidias attributed to eriophyoid mites in five states and on 21 plant families are presented. Geographically, the distribution of species reports of eriophyoids around Brazil is highly uneven, with more than 64% of species (151 spp.) in the Southeast region, which surely reflects a lack of research elsewhere. Regarding host plant specificity, 77.7% are reported on only one host species, 88.9% on one host genus and 98.3% on one host family. Regarding host status 64.1% of species are exclusively associated with native host plants, 27% with naturalized or exotic cultivated host plants, and 6.4% from both native and naturalized or exotic host plants.

The predatory mite Neoseiulus paspalivorus (De Leon) is often found in association with the coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer. The identification of natural enemies is essential for the definition of biological control strategies. Therefore, the present study aimed to confirm whether the mite populations from different Northeastern Brazilian states identified as N. paspalivorus belong to the same species. This determination was accomplished through the study of morphometric variability in 33 anatomical characters and of molecular variability in two DNA fragments: Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA. This study also determined whether there is reproductive isolation between the two most morphologically distinct populations (Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba). Intraspecific morphometric variability was observed among the five populations of N. paspalivorus. Despite this variability, the crosses and backcrosses of the most morphologically distinct populations did not show reproductive incompatibility. The molecular analysis indicated the absence of genetic differences among the N. paspalivorus populations for the ITS fragment. Three haplotypes were identified for the COI fragment, and the genetic distance ranged from 0 to 0.2 %. Despite the morphometric differences, the results of the molecular and biological analysis corroborate the previous identification of N. paspalivorus for all of the studied populations. The present study contributes to the systematics of Phytoseiidae predatory mites and to the biological control of A. guerreronis by the accurate identification and characterization of one of its main natural enemies along extensive areas in Brazil.

Cryptic diversity has been confirmed for several phytophagous mites in the Eriophyoidea superfamily previously considered as presenting low host specificity. Among generalist eriophyoids is the phytoptid Retracrus johnstoni Keifer, which has been reported in 19 palm species belonging to 11 genera, causing severe damage on some of them. Surprisingly this species was recently reported on another monocot family, Heliconiaceae, infesting Heliconia plants in Costa Rica and Brazil, being the only in the tribe Mackiellini to not be associated with palm trees. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of cryptic species in R. johnstoni and to clarify the taxonomic status of populations associated with heliconias in the Americas. With this purpose traditional and geometric morphometric analyses were conducted as well as a detailed morphological study. Measurable trait data were analysed via univariate and multivariate analyses. Shapes of specimens from different populations were compared via geometric morphometric landmark methods. Morphometric analysis supported occurrence of at least two cryptic species previously identified as R. johsntoni and suggested occurrence of cryptic species among populations associated with different palm trees. Taxonomic descriptions of two new taxa associated with heliconias, namely Retracrus costaricensis n. sp. Ferreira and Navia and Retracrus heliconiae n. sp. Ferreira and Navia are presented. Morphometric traits that can be useful in the taxonomic identification are noted and their value is discussed. Results of the traditional morphometry and geometric methods were compared and the advantages of their joint use for Eriophyoidea systematics are discussed.

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), was recently introduced in the Americas. It spread quickly throughout coconut palm growing areas, expanding considerably its host range. The invasion of this species has caused high economic impact in several countries. In Brazil, extensive areas are expected to be affected. For logistical reasons and other concerns, chemical control does not seem desirable for the control of this pest in most Latin American countries. Biological control of R. indica by introducing exotic natural enemies seems to be an important control measure to be considered. Surveys in many countries have shown that Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a very common predator on coconut palms. This study compared the biology of a population of A. largoensis found for a long time in association with R. indica in La Reunion Island (Indian Ocean) with a population from Roraima State (northern Brazil), where R. indica was first found about two and a half years ago. No significant differences were observed between populations in relation to the duration of different immature stages or total survivorship. However, the oviposition period, prey consumption and net reproductive rate were significantly higher for the La Reunion population, warranting further investigation to determine whether that population should be released in Roraima to control the pest.

The citrus Hindu mite, Schizotetranychus hindustanicus (Hirst), is reported for the first time in Brazil and for the second time in South America. Mite specimens were collected from citrus in the municipality of Boa Vista, State of Roraima, northern Brazil. Symptoms associated with S.hindustanicus infestations on citrus are described. The importance of avoiding dissemination of this mite to the main citrus production areas in Brazil is discussed.

During the last growing seasons, high infestations of phytophagous mites were observed in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, becoming necessary to apply pesticides for their control. The objective of this study was to identify phytophagous and predatory mite species associated with soybean in ten counties of that state, during the 2002/03 and 2003/04 growing seasons, in five soybean cultivars (A 6001 RG, A 7001 RG, A 8000 RG, A 8100 RG, Anta 82), all genetically modified. In samples of soybean leaves four phytophagous mite species (Mononychellus planki (McGregor), Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks), Tetranychus desertorum Banks and Tetranychus gigas Pritchard & Baker) and two predatory mite species (Phytoseiulus fragariae Denmark & Schicha and Typhlodromalus aripo De Leon) were found. T. desertorum was found for the first time associated with soybean in the country. Phytoseiulus fragariae and T. aripo are reported for the first time on soybean. The potential of phytoseid mites as biological control agents in soybean crop was discussed. Among the hypotheses to explain the increasing infestation of soybean fields with phytophagous mites area are the progressively larger cultivated area, the dry spells observed in the last few years in the growing season, changes in soybean cropping system that led to increased use of pesticides and utilization of new soybean cultivars with morphological or biochemicals characteristics that favour the development of these mite populations.