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Thrips are major economic insect pests of citrus worldwide. During the few last years these insects have become serious pests of citrus in Tunisia. The objective of this study was to determine the species of thrips’ natural enemies occurring in citrus orchards and assess the effects of manure application on the abundance of soil predatory mites. Sampling of thrips and their natural enemies was performed in citrus orchards in northern Tunisia from 2015 to 2017. Results revealed that (i) the most abundant predatory species found on plant leaves was Chrysoperla carnea representing 40.38% of the total number of natural enemies collected, followed by Coccinella septempunctata (13.57%) and that (ii) the most abundant soil predatory mite was Parasitus americanus representing 43.44% of the total number of predatory mites collected, followed by Stratiolaelaps scimitus, Pachylaelaps imitans and Odontoscirus sp. (9.43%, 6.45% and 5.41%, respectively). Higher population densities of P. americanus and S. scimitus in the soil were directly correlated with decreased thrips’ abundance and reduced plant damage. Our findings suggest that manure application significantly affects the abundance of both predatory mites and thrips in the soil. Here we provide first knowledge on natural enemies’ action against thrips and their potential use as biocontrol agents in Tunisian citrus orchards. The implications of the obtained results for developing and implementing the most eco-friendly and sustainable pest management options for citrus pest thrips are stated and discussed herein.

The ecological functioning of dryland ecosystems is closely related to the spatial pattern of the vegetation, which is typically structured in patches. Ground arthropods mediate key soil functions and ecological processes, yet little is known about the influence of dryland vegetation pattern on their abundance and diversity. Here, we investigate how patch size and cover, and distance between patches relate to the abundance and diversity of meso-and microarthropods in semi-arid steppes. We found that species richness and abundance of ground arthropods exponentially increase with vegetation cover, patch size, and patch closeness. The communities under vegetation patches mainly respond to patch size, while the communities in the bare-soil interpatches are mostly controlled by the average distance between patches, independently of the concurrent changes in vegetation cover. Large patches seem to play a critical role as reserve and source of ground arthropod diversity. Our results suggest that decreasing vegetation cover and/or changes in vegetation pattern towards small and over-dispersed vegetation patches can fast lead to a significant loss of ground arthropods diversity in drylands. This work was supported by São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grants 2013/06196-4 and 2014/00631-3), by Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement—Brazil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001, and the projects DRYEX (CGL2014-59074-R) and DRYEX2 (CGL2017-89804-R), funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

High-throughput DNA methods hold great promise for phylogenetic analysis of lineages that are difficult to study with conventional molecular and morphological approaches. The mites (Acari), and in particular the highly diverse soil-dwelling lineages, are among the least known branches of the metazoan Tree-of-Life. We extracted numerous minute mites from soils in an area of mixed forest and grassland in southern Iberia. Selected specimens representing the full morphological diversity were shotgun sequenced in bulk, followed by genome assembly of short reads from the mixture, which produced >100 mitochondrial genomes representing diverse acarine lineages. Phylogenetic analyses in combination with taxonomically limited mitogenomes available publicly resulted in plausible trees defining basal relationships of the Acari. Several critical nodes were supported by ancestral-state reconstructions of mitochondrial gene rearrangements. Molecular calibration placed the minimum age for the common ancestor of the superorder Acariformes, which includes most soil-dwelling mites, to the Cambrian–Ordovician (likely within 455–552 Ma), whereas the origin of the superorder Parasitiformes was placed later in the Carboniferous-Permian. Most family-level taxa within the Acariformes were dated to the Jurassic and Triassic. The ancient origin of Acariformes and the early diversification of major extant lineages linked to the soil are consistent with a pioneering role for mites in building the earliest terrestrial ecosystems., This research was funded by the NHM Biodiversity Initiative and the CGL2015-66192-R and CGL2015-74178-JIN projects. PA was supported by the Royal Society UK (Newton International Program) and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Juan de la Cierva Formación); BL by the NHM Biodiversity Initiative and French Labex Agro-CeMEB-NUMEV

Uroseius sorrentinus is redescribed based on nymphal instars and adults of both sexes from a cave in Southern Spain. New observations of the ontogeny of setae, glands and lyrifissures on the idiosoma and legs are provided, allowing for the clarification and expansion of the diagnostic characters of the genus UroseiusThe female of this species is distinguished from other Uroseius species by its: rounded idiosoma, with prominent anteriorly knobbed vertex; medial dorsal shield with approximately 26 pairs of short, brush-like setae; pigmented soft cuticle at posterior margin of dorsal shield with one pair of long setae; genital shield with spine-like anterior process with anterior half covered by soft sternal cuticle; and 15–20 pairs of feathered ventral setae of heterogeneous length. Males are distinguished by their: femora, genu and tibia with seta av modified as spurs; and tarsus II with two enlarged, spine-like setae. Deutonymphs are distinguished by their: dorsal shield not covering vertical and dorsolateral regions; presternal transverse sclerite present; sternal shield entire; sternal region with three pairs of conspicuous gland openings; and ventrianal shield with 8–10 pairs of setae. A key to the species of deutonymphs of Uroseius is given..

Because of its ability to expedite specimen identification and species delineation, the barcode index number (BIN) system presents a powerful tool to characterize hyperdiverse invertebrate groups such as the Acari (mites). However, the congruence between BINs and morphologically recognized species has seen limited testing in this taxon. We therefore apply this method towards the development of a barcode reference library for soil, poultry litter, and nest dwelling mites in the Western Palearctic. Through analysis of over 600 specimens, we provide DNA barcode coverage for 35 described species and 70 molecular taxonomic units (BINs). Nearly 80% of the species were accurately identified through this method, but just 60% perfectly matched (1:1) with BINs. High intraspecific divergences were found in 34% of the species examined and likely reflect cryptic diversity, highlighting the need for revision in these taxa. These findings provide a valuable resource for integrative pest management, but also highlight the importance of integrating morphological and molecular methods for fine-scale taxonomic resolution in poorly-known invertebrate lineages., The study was carried out within the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action (FA1404-COREMI) ‘Improving current understanding and research for sustainable control of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae’.

Mites should not be overlooked as a forensic tool, as many are commonly associated with decomposing animal matter and are closely associated with specific insect carriers and habitats. It is necessary to increase our understanding of the diversity of mites that are found in human and animal remains, their geographical distribution, and their population dynamics. This work is the first study of the role of mites in forensic science in the Mediterranean region of Navarra (northern Spain). Samples were taken using three types of traps (96 modified McPhail, 96 modified pitfall, and 32 carrion on surface) baited with pig carrion during the period between 11 April and 24 June, 2017. Insects were collected in 100% of the traps and only 27% of them contained mites. Information on 26 species of mites belonging to seven families, their ontogenetic phoretic stage/s, their abundance, and presence/absence during the spring season of the study is given. The most abundant species collected were Macrocheles merdarius, Poecilochirus austroasiaticus, and Poecilochirus subterraneus. We are contributing 16 new records for the Iberian Peninsula: seven species of Parasitidae, three species of Macrochelidae, four species of Eviphididae, one species of Halolaelapidae, and one species of Laelapidae.

International audience; he poultry red mite (PRM),Dermanyssus gallinae(de Geer), is a hematophagous mite of economic importance inthe poultry industry. Because PRM lives off-host in habitats potentially shared by many micropredators, bio-control agents have potential to regulate this pest in poultry buildings. The present pilot study was conducted toobtain afirst insight into predatory and parasitic arthropod communities that naturally occur on layer farms inFrance. Species composition and sensitivity to insecticides were determined to estimate the feasibility of con-servation biological control (CBC) of PRM based on a 2-scale concept (regional and local effects). A morpho-molecular approach was used to characterize the taxonomic composition of manure-dwelling arthropod com-munities, with a focus on mesostigmatid mites, that naturally occur in free-range layer farms. Additionally, thesensitivity of some dominant mite species to a common insecticide (deltamethrin) was measured via bioassays.The putative roles of recorded taxa within ecological guilds and their dispersal habits are discussed based on theresults of multivariate and univariate analyses. Local and regional factors had significant effects on both high-level taxonomic arthropod groups and mesostigmatid morphospecies. In addition to documenting the occurrenceand apparent establishment of highly mobile arthropods in hen houses, these results are considered promisingfor the development of CBC against PRM. Populations of two recurrent mesostigmatid morphospecies demon-strated an extreme sensitivity to the pyrethroid, suggesting that even very low levels of insecticide use are likelyto have unnoticed deleterious effects on natural regulation processes in layer buildings. Lastly, a robust methodfor exploring mesostigmatid mite communities in manure is provided.

The genus Antennocheles gen. nov. is based on adults and nymphs of two newly described species associated with hispine beetles of the genera Chelobasis and Cephaloleia occupying unfurled leaves of Heliconia in lowland rainforest of Costa Rica. Within the superfamily Ascoidea, this taxon is so distinctive morphologically and behaviourally as to justify its own family, Antennochelidae, fam. nov. These mites bear remarkably elongated cheliceral shafts, which may extend for lengths greater than the body but are fully ensheathed in repose within the body. Other unique attributes include linear arrangement of hypostomatic setae, a pore-like structure beside the corniculus, and adults with a pair of unique sternal invaginations for enlarged muscle insertions. While undergoing their life history in water films of unfurled host leaves, the mites exhibit a slow, swimming-like behaviour in quest for prey. As leaves unfurl, adult mites run quickly off and on their hispine beetle phoronts for dispersal.http://zoobank....

Description of a new species of Uroseius Berlese based on deutonymph and female specimens from northern Spain is presented. Observations of some cuticular organs on idiosoma and legs are described for the first time for the genus. An attempt to notate idiosomal setae as in Gamasina mesostigmatid mites is made based on complete dorsal chaetome of larval and pronymphal instars of Uroseius and Apionoseius Berlese species. Uroseius acuminatus (C.L. Koch) is a new record for the Iberian Peninsula. General morphological and biological aspects of Uroseius are presented. A tentative key, provided for separation of the 15 deutonymphs and nine adult females of the world species of Uroseius, is given.

International audience; A new species of Eutrachytes (Eutrachytes flagellatus) is described based on a complete ontogenetic series, starting from larva and including the adult female and male. This Uropodina mite was isolated from the pneumatophore surface of Avicennia officinalis having algal (Bostryschia sp.) growth in Goa, India. Notable morphological attributes peculiar to immature instars of this species include a flagellate tubular dorsolateral respiratory structure extending from the peritreme, nude pygidial shields in the adult male and female and a deep concave formation at the posterolateral margins of the dorsal shield. A taxonomic discussion with salient diagnostic features of the genus is given and a key to genera of the family is presented. We present two nomenclature modifications: Deraiophoridae syn. nov. as the junior synonym of Eutrachytidae and Dentibaiulus Hirschmann, 1979 syn. nov. as a junior synonym of Eutrachytes Berlese, 1914. A compiled list of all new species discovered to date from mangrove roots in different parts of the world is given.

A new species, Julolaelaps tritosternalis, of the family Laelapidae is described based on adult females and males of one new species from Northern Iran. These mites live associated with Ommatoiulus caspius (Lohmander) (Diplopoda, Julidae). Several morphological characteristics are noted, including the presence of a ventral disc-like structure on the tritosternal base, sternal shield with anteromedial convex protuberance, lack of setae z1, z3, z6, S1 and all deutonymphal setae r, convex alveolar protuberances for setae st1–st5, lack of setae v-2 on genu I and male with hypertrophied dentate movable cheliceral digit. A key to species of Julolaelaps is provided.

The genus Leioseius Berlese is reviewed, faunistically in North America, and taxonomically, world-wide. Descriptions of two new species, redescriptions of two previously recorded species, and first records of Leioseius elongatus Evans in North America are presented. Observations indicate that various leg setal and pretarsal attributes are useful in taxonomic discrimination of species in this genus. A key to North American species based on both idiosomatic and leg setal aspects is presented. Four species previously described under the genus Iphidozercon Berlese are accounted for the first time as species of Leioseius, and other taxa described previously as four yet other species of Leioseius are transferred to other genera. A tentative key, provided for separation of females of the 22 recognizable world Leioseius species, accounts for these changes. General morphological notes about mites of this genus are presented, some of which may lead to recognition of species-groups. Scant, general biological aspects about Leioseius mites are presented.

The main aim of this study was to examine the communities of mesostigmatid mites occurring in Irish Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) canopies or inhabiting moss, either in the canopy or on the soil surface, and to discover whether a characteristic assemblage of species occurs in particular habitat patches (ground vs. aerial). Twenty two species of Mesostigmata were recorded, of which five occurred exclusively in arboreal microhabitats. All three species of Zerconidae collected were unique to the canopy and moss mats on the tree branches. Trachytes aegrota (C.L. Koch, 1841) was recorded for the first time in Ireland and some comments about its distribution are made. Multivariate analysis indicated that the arboreal mesostigmatid community is not just a subset of the assemblage occurring in moss on soil or trunks and that it appears to be more homogeneous than those occurring on the soil surface.El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue estudiar en Irlanda las comunidades de ácaros Mesostigmata del dosel arbóreo de bosques de Picea sitchensis y en el musgo desarrollado tanto en zonas aéreas como en la superficie edáfica, con el fin de determinar si la estructura y composición de éstas comunidades variaba entre los hábitats diferenciales (edáficos vs. aéreos). Se obtuvieron 22 especies de ácaros Mesostigmata, de las cuales 5 aparecieron solamente en micro-hábitats arbóreos. Las especies de la familia Zerconidae recogidas en este estudio se encontraron exclusivamente en ramas y musgos desarrollados en el dosel. Trachytes aegrota (C.L. Koch, 1841), es citado por primera vez para Irlanda. Se ofrecen asimismo comentarios sobre la distribución de esta especie. El análisis multivariante de los resultados indicó que las poblaciones arbóreas de ácaros Mesostigmata no son un mero subconjunto estructural sino que forman una comunidad diferencial respecto a las presentes en hábitats muscícolas del tronco o del medio edáfico, y son más homogéneas que las existentes en la superficie del suelo.

A new species of Antennoseius (Vitzthumia) collected from Bembidion cf. turkestanicum Fassati, 1957 and Harpalus (s. str.) distinguendus (Duftschmid, 1812) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in northeast Iran is described. Antennoseius (Vitzthumia) kamalii sp. nov. is characterized by dorsal shields smoothly reticulate, opisthogastric shields smooth, dorsal setae sparsely barbed (including setae j1) and homogeneous in length and shape; podonotal shield with 20 pairs of setae, opisthonotal shield with 15 pairs; 31 or 32 pairs of dorsal setae on soft cuticle; st3 on posterior margin of the shield or on soft cuticle. A key for adult females of the subgenus is presented.

Moraza M. L., Iraola V. & Alemany C. 2009. — A new species of Ljunghia Oudemans, 1932 (Arachnida, Acari, Laelapidae) from a mygalomorph spider. Zoosystema 31 (1): 117-126.

Two new genera Makarovaia and Hispiniphis are described from adults and immatures of newly described species associated with hispine beetles of the genera Chelobasis and Cephaloleia, respectively, occupying unfurled leaves of Heliconia in lowland rainforest of Costa Rica. The new genera share a suite of unique morphological attributes, but are tentatively assigned to the family Melicharidae. While all instars of the mites can be found under the elytra of their adult beetle hosts, adult mites also move freely on and off the beetles. A new form of laboulbeniaceous fungus of the genus Rickia is frequently associated with adult mites of Makarovaia as well as their beetle hosts, yet evidently rarely with mites of a species of Hispiniphis or its beetle hosts which may co-occupy the same host leaves. Limited data suggest considerable host specificity between mites and their beetle hosts. Whether the association of these mites with hispine beetles may be ancient, prior to the beetles' adaptation to living in unfurled leaves of host plants, or is a more recent invasion and partitioning of the rolled leaf beetle fauna, is discussed.

Two new taxa of the family Parholaspidae Evans, 1965 —Holaspina canariensis n. sp. and Gamasholaspis gamasoides canariensis n. subsp.— are described on the basis of specimens collected in Tenerife (Canary Islands). Idiosomal chaetotaxy, poroidotaxy and adenotaxy of these two species are illustrated and the chaetotaxy of the caudal body region is discussed.

A new species, Ameroseius michaelangeli n. sp. (Acari: Ameroseiidae), is described and illustrated. It was collected from soil and litter in Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain.

A revised diagnosis of the genus Epicrius Canestrini and Fanzago, 1877 (Acari: Epicriidae), is presented and four new species are described: Epicrius johnstoni n. sp. (Navarra, Spain), E. longisetosus n. sp. (North Carolina, USA), E. similaris n. sp. (Maryland, New York, USA), and E. undulatus n. sp. (North Carolina, USA). A key to species based on adult females is given.

A new genus,Adenoepicriusgen. nov., is described, withAdenoepicrius magnussp. nov.from Canada designated as type. Also described areA. oconnorisp. nov.(New York, Ontario),A. curtipilussp. nov.(Virginia), andA. virginianussp. nov.(West Virginia). A key to species based on adult females is provided.

The study of 47 samples from different habitats on La Gomera (Canary Islands), reveals 43 species representing 13 families from the order Mesostigmata. Most species were members of the families Ascidae (11 species) and Laelapidae (9), followed by Macrochelidae and Pachylaelapidae (7 species). The most abundant species (abundance of 9% or greater) found in the collected material are: Gamasiphis pulchellus (Berlese, 1887), Gamasellodes bicolour (Berlese, 1918), Veigaia planicola Berlese, 1892 and Pseudoparasitus dentatus (Halbert, 1920). The species found in the largest number of samples were Uropoda misella (Berlese, 1916) and G. bicolour (21%), V. planicola (19%) and Holoparasitus Oudemans sp. (17%). Fayal-heather and laurisilva, with 36 species, provided the most diverse habitat; 9 species are associated with Erica arborea L., 9 species with Geranium canariensis Reut. and 9 with Sideritis lotsyi (Pitard).Como resultado del estudio de 47 muestras recogidas en diferentes hábitats de la isla de La Gomera (Islas Canarias), se obtuvieron 43 especies pertenecientes a 13 familias del orden Mesostigmata. Las familias Ascidae y Laelapidae son las mejor representadas, con 11 y 9 especies respectivamente, seguidas de Macrochelidae y Pachylaelapidae con 7. Las especies más abundantes (abundancia mayor o igual al 9%) en el material recolectado son: Gamasiphis pulchellus (Berlese, 1887), Gamasellodes bicolor (Berlese, 1918), Veigaia planicola Berlese, 1892 y Pseudoparasitus dentatus (Halbert, 1920). Las especies más frecuentes (por aparecer en el mayor número de muestras) son Uropoda misella (Berlese, 1916) y G. bicolor (21%), V. planicola (19%) y Holoparasitus Oudemans sp. (17%). El fayal-brezal y laurisilva (monteverde), con 36 especies, es el hábitat más diverso; 9 especies se asocian a Erica arborea L., 9 a Geranium canariensis Reut. y 9 a Sideritis lotsyi (Pitard).

Two new species of phytoseiid mites, Neoseiulella longiseta n. sp and Neoseiulella arinoi n. sp., collected from soil, litter and lichens on the islands of La Gomera and Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain are described and illustrated. Females of both species have two pairs of sternal setae and four pairs of preanal setae.

In September 2009, specimens of Ips sexdentatus were captured using black cross vane traps in an old stand of Pinus halepensis Miller at Dekani in the submediterranean ecological region of Slovenia. Twenty-four per cent of them carried phoretic mites, and six taxa of mites were collected directly from their bodies: Cercoleipus coelonotus, Dendrolaelaps quadrisetus, Histiostoma ovalis, Trichouropoda polytricha, Uroobovella varians and Vulgarogamasus lyriformis. All of these species are documented here for the first time as associated with the six-spined engraver beetle in Slovenia. Both D. quadrisetus and V. lyriformis are predatory on bark beetle eggs and larvae and could be useful in biological control programmes. Moreover, H. ovalis may be an important vector of fungal spores of ophiostomatoid pathogenic fungi.urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B3E36510-4687-42B8-BDCC-3912A2AB9EE0

Observations on the genus Neoparasitus complement and correct several observations and interpretations in the original description of Bulbogamasus sinicus Gu, Wang and Duan, 1991, species which is now transferred to Neoparasitus. This study supports a close relationship between Pachyseius (Pachylaelapidae) and Neoparasitus, leading to discussion of problems with the classification of this genus.

Aims of the study: The goals of this paper are to provide preliminary data on the composition of the mite community in truffle-producing soils (both wild and plantations); and to elucidate those species which may interact with the black truffle life cycle.Area of study: The study was carried out in two black truffle productive zones in Navarra (Spain), in four different plantations and five wild production areas.Material and Methods: Fauna was extracted using Berlese Tullgren funnels. Animals were separated into taxonomic groups, and mites were identified. To analyse the composition and community structure of the different habitats, parameters such as abundance, species richness, and Shanon Weiner diversity index (H’) were calculated.Main results: A total of 305 mites were recognized, belonging to 58 species representing the three major taxonomic groups (Oribatida, Prostigmata, Mesostigmata).Research highlights: The results show a possible trend towards wild areas having greater diversity and species richness than plantations. Furthermore, community analysis shows differences in species compositions among different study areas, and oribatid mites always exhibit the highest relative abundance and species richness.Keywords: Acari; Tuber melanosporum; Oribatida; Mesostigmata; Prostigmata; truffle orchards.

Four new species of mites of the genus Hispiniphis are described, all among those upon which the original description of the genus was based, associated with beetles of different species of the hispine genus Cephaloleia. A key is given to the described species of Hispiniphis and Makarovaia, the known two genera whose adults and immatures are found under the elytra of rolled-leaf hispine beetles. Aspects of ontogenetic acceleration and duplication of some idiosomatic setae are discussed. Evidence of larviparity, along with problematical differences between small dimensions of the adult female genital area and a relatively large larva, are considered. An evolutionary trend towards smaller body sizes among these mites is discussed. Further evidence of host preferences by these mites is presented, along with indications that there may be a vast diversity of these mites associated with hispine beetles in the Neotropical Region.

Free-living predatory mites (Acari) is one of the most abundant and species-rich group of arthropods in the soil, with a great potential for pest control. In the present study we examined the predatory mite fauna in the soil of citrus orchards in order to evaluate their potential as natural enemies of thrips pests and especially of Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Moreover, two trials were conducted to assess if foliar sprays of the insecticide chlorpyrifos or the addition of organic compost to the soil affect the abundance of soil predatory mites. Samples of soil were regularly taken from four citrus orchards in Valencia (Spain) from December 2008 to April 2010. Thrips and predatory mites were extracted with Berlese funnels. The thrips fauna in the soil was dominated by P. kellyanus, which accounted for 80% of the specimens registered. With respect to predatory mites, 15 species from eight families were identified. The most abundants were Parasitus americanus (Parasitidae), Hypoaspis (Gaeolaelaps) aculeifer, Hypoaspis (Gaeolaelaps) praesternalis and Hypoaspis sp. (Laelapidae), Neomolgus sp. (Bdellidae), Pachylaelaps islandicus (Pachylaelapidae), Neogamasus sp. (Parasitidae) and Macrocheles scutatiformis (Macrochelidae). Higher populations of H. aculeifer were associated with lower abundance and fruit damage caused by P. kellyanus. Treatment with Chlorpyriphos did not affect the abundance of soil predatory mites and significantly more mites were found in the experimental plots where organic compost was added., The authors thank the owners of the commercial orchards for giving us permission to use their citrus orchards, with special reference to Ada Waimer. The first author was awarded an FPI fellowship from the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia to obtain her PhD degree.

The genus Fungiseius gen. nov. is described, based on adults of two newly described species. These rather short-legged mites, with their second pair of legs markedly thickened, have been collected only from bracket fungi. The more generalized form, F. clavulisetis gen. et sp. nov., is based on female specimens from Chiapas Province, southern Mexico. The more derivative form, F. armatus gen. et sp. nov., is based on females and males from several samples of bracket fungi in lowland tropical rainforest of Costa Rica, where they coexist with a remarkable variety of other blattisociine mites. Notable morphological attributes peculiar to adults of this genus include the dorsal shield having a delineated lateral rim that bears a row of setae of the lateral or marginal series, legs II greatly thickened, with enlarged, claw-like setae on the dorsolateral face of the tarsus, and deep furrows postgenitally on females and postanally on males and females. Comparisons are made with fungus-inhabiting mites of the genus Hoploseius, whose adults also have the second pair of legs thickened. A revised key to the world genera and subgenera of the subfamily Blattisociinae is presented; the genus Orthadenella Athias-Henriot is excluded, and placed in the ascoid family Melicharidae. The subgenera Borinquolaelaps Fox, Crinidens Karg, and Cuspiacus Christian & Karg, sensu Christian & Karg 2006 are treated as new synonyms of the subgenus Lasioseius Berlese.

The effect of reforestation of Pinus nigra and Pinus halepensis in central and southern Navarra (northern Spain) on mesostigmatic mite communities inhabiting the soil was studied, and seasonal fluctuation of mite populations over 1 year of sampling. Reforestation causes a clear change in species richness of the community (71-72% drop) and a significant decrease of mite abundance (31-50% loss). There are no significant differences in overall Shannon’s diversity (H) and evenness (J) when the Mediterranean shrub (H = 2.92, J = 0.66) is replaced by a pine forest (H = 2.73, J = 0.72). However, H and J significantly increased when a pine forest (H = 3.34, J = 0.84) substitutes the natural oak forest (H = 2.80, J = 0.63). Summer is the critical, unfavorable season for Mesostigmata of this region in terms of their abundance and community diversity.

The genus Anystipalpus Berlese, 1911, of uncertain prior placement in the superfamilies Ascoidea or Dermanyssoidea, is redescribed, based on reexamination of type and other material of the type-species, A. percicola Berlese, and of material representing Anystipalpus livshitsi (Eidelberg) new combination and two new species, A. labiduricola n. sp. and A. kazemii n. sp. Anystipalpus nataliae (Eidelberg) new combination and Anystipalpus ukrainicus (Sklyar) new combination are determined to be junior synonyms of A. percicola Berlese and A. livshitsi (Eidelberg), respectively, new synonymies. The genus is known thus far only from adult females phoretic under the elytra of carabid beetles and the tegmina of labidurid earwigs in Eurasia. The relationships between it and the closely related Antennoseius Berlese, 1916 and Vitzthumia Thor, 1930, are reviewed, and the options for the family level placement of these genera are reconsidered. Attention is given to some gnathosomatic attributes that are commonly overlooked in description of species of these closely related genera. Phoresy and the role of adult female morphs in the life history of these mites, as well as the extraordinary phoretic association of one species with earwigs are discussed.

Three new species of the genus Zercon (Acari: Zerconidae) are described and illustrated on the basis of material collected from canopy samples from native and non-native forest habitats in Ireland. A key to the species of Zercon from Britain and Ireland is provided.

A new species, Ophionyssus schreibericolus Moraza sp. nov. is described, based on adult females, males and protonymphal instars. Ophionyssus schreibericolus parasitizes Lacerta schreiberi, a lizard endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, and known to have persisted in refugial populations throughout the Pleistocene. A key to adult females, males and protonymphs of the genus Ophionyssus is presented. Ophionyssus viperae Miron & Ivan 2003 is synonymised with O. natricis (new synonymy).

Two new genera Makarovaia and Hispiniphis are described from adults and immatures of newly described species associated with hispine beetles of the genera Chelobasis and Cephaloleia , respectively, occupying unfurled leaves of Heliconia in lowland rainforest of Costa Rica. The new genera share a suite of unique morphological attributes, but are tentatively assigned to the family Melicharidae. While all instars of the mites can be found under the elytra of their adult beetle hosts, adult mites also move freely on and off the beetles. A new form of laboulbeniaceous fungus of the genus Rickia is frequently associated with adult mites of Makarovaia as well as their beetle hosts, yet evidently rarely with mites of a species of Hispiniphis or its beetle hosts which may co-occupy the same host leaves. Limited data suggest considerable host specificity between mites and their beetle hosts. Whether the association of these mites with hispine beetles may be ancient, prior to the beetles’ adaptation to living in unfurled leaves of host plants, or is a more recent invasion and partitioning of the rolled leaf beetle fauna, is discussed.

The genus Opilioseius gen. nov. of the phytoseioid family Blattisociidae is described, based on adults and deutonymphs of one newly described species from Costa Rica. These striking long-legged mites undergo their life histories on the lower surface of their fungal hosts in lowland tropical rainforest. Opilioseius grallator sp. nov. coexists with a surprising variety of blattisociine and other mesostigmatic mites on fungi of the genus Coriolus. A diagnosis of the recently-revised familial concept of the Blattisociidae is given, along with a key to its constituent genera. Attention is drawn to the unusually large size of the egg relative to the size of the maternal female, and to an apical ventral process on the tarsus of legs II to IV, found to be present on a variety of other mesostigmatic mites, but not noted previously.

The genus Spadiseius gen. nov. of the ascoid family Melicharidae is described, based on all instars of two newly described species in Costa Rica and adults of four undescribed species in Costa Rica and Brazil. These mites undergo their life histories quickly in spike or spadix inflorescences of their plant hosts in lowland tropical rainforests, where they apparently feed on nectar or pollen. One inflorescence may bear hundreds of the developing mites in all instars. Pollen is found on all instars of these mites, which may act as miniature pollinators of their plant hosts. Adult males are strongly sexually dimorphic, with bizarrely modified setae peripherally on the body dorsum and on dorsal surfaces of the legs. These structures are thought to be used competitively for mates, in much the same way as in males of the related hummingbird flower mite genera Rhinoseius and Tropicoseius. Spadiseius calyptrogynae sp. nov. lives in inflorescences of a palm, Calyptrogyne ghiesbreghtiana, and has a phoretic association both with perching bats of the genus Artibeus, which are major pollinators of this plant, and scarab beetles of the genus Lagochile, which feed destructively on flowers of this plant. Spadiseius spathiphyllae sp. nov. lives in inflorescences of an aroid, Spathiphyllum friedrichsthalli, and is phoretic on meliponine bees of the genus Trigona that pollinate this plant. Polymorphism among adult males occurs in both species. In male S. calyptrogynae a “warty” ornamentation of the dorsal shield seems to be correlated with extreme elongation of certain body and leg setae, while in male S. spathiphyllae such disproportionate setal elongation seems correlated with more robust individuals of greater body and leg dimensions. Several newly recognized morphological attributes are noted among species of Spadiseius, including apically forked salivary styli.

A new species of mesostigmatid mite, Neoseiulella ferraguti sp. nov. collected from soil, litter and lichens of natural ecosystems on Tenerife island, Canary Islands is described. Neoseiulella ferraguti has two pairs of setae on the sternal shield, four pairs of preanal setae and two distinct pointed macrosetae on genu and basitarsus IV, macroseta on tibia IV slightly longer than other setae. A key for females of Neoseiulella species in the Canary Islands is provided.

During the sampling campaign to describe the Iberian fauna of Collembola, an undescribed species of the family Bourletiellidae living on Genista hispanica L. was found with parasitic mites. The attached parasitic mites were identified as the larval instar of a new species of Polydiscia, a prostigmatid mite of the family Tanaupodidae Thor, 1935. The genus was previously cited in Austria. The Collembola, Deuterosminthurus bisetosus sp. nov, which was found in distant localities on the Iberian Peninsula, and Polydiscia deuterosminthurus sp. nov., are both here described. Both species were found together on Genista for three consecutive years. The abundant material obtained has allowed us to study both species with SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and show characteristics in greater detail than has been possible with light microscopy.