Acaralogia:Ticks and mites

Scutopalus tomentosus sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Plantago tomentosa Lam. (Plantaginaceae) in a vineyard agroecosystem at Dois Lajeados county, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This is the first species of this genus described from the Americas. A key to world species is included.

Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is the major challenge for beekeeping worldwide. Therefore, various methods and
materials for Varroa control have been suggested and tested including; plant extracts, essential oils, biological agents, mechanical methods and some chemicals. This paper aims to present the available options for Varroa control and to survey the performed comparative studies among these options. This paper can be considered as a good guide for researchers during their studies on Varroa control. The presented review highlights that still more comparative studies among Varroa control options under different ecological conditions are strongly required. Basically the performed researches have been concentrated on testing chemical materials and essential oils while relatively few studies have been done on the other control options. It is concluded that the Varroa mite should be continuously (monthly) managed within honey bee colonies using mechanical methods or treatment with essential oils (mainly thymol). In severe cases, and especially during the fall and not during honey seasons, the use of chemical materials
can be done with preference to oxalic or formic acid.

Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Juli sampai bulan September tahun 2020. Lokasi yang dijadikan tempat pengambilan data terdiri dari beberapa titik badan air di Sleman. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu mendapatkan data jenis dan distribusi ektoparasit (tungau air) pada capung di Sleman, mengetahui jenis capung yang terinfeksi, serta mengetahui karakteristik habitat capung yang terinfeksi. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah teknik purposive sampling dan pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode titik hitung (point count). Hasil yang didapatkan adalah capung-jarum genus Agriocnemis menjadi inang dari tungau air genus Arrenurus. Penemuan tungau air pada capung tersebut tercatat di Inlet Embung Tambakboyo, Sleman. Tungau air ditemukan menempel pada bagian ventral dan lateral toraks dengan jumlah antara 1-4 individu pada setiap capung. Tidak ditemukan adanya infeksi tungau air pada capung di tempat sampling lain. Inlet Embung Tambakboyo memiliki karakteristik berupa perairan yang tenang dan terdapat genangan air berlumpur yang ditumbuhi rumput di tepian badan air utama. Lokasi terpapar terik matahari sepanjang hari dengan intensitas cahaya matahari berkisar antara 1.500 – 2.500 cd, kelembaban udara berkisar antara 55-65 RH, suhu udara berkisar pada 28°C dengan suhu air 26 °C. pH air pada lokasi ini yaitu 6, sementara kekeruhan air berkisar antara 3-7 NTU.

Mites of the family Cunaxidae from 29 caves and other underground environments from ten states of Mexico were studied. Distribution maps are given, as well as identification keys and graphs of abundance. A total of nine genera and 41 species, of which 37 are new records were found. The species of the genera Dactyloscirus and Pulaeus were the most frequent, found in seven of the states and in the caves they were members of Pulaeus and Cunaxa. The most common species were Coleoscirus breslauensis and Pulaeus myrtaceus, as they were found in seven of the collected caves. Other species had a much smaller distribution. According to the Cunaxidae morphological characteristics they can be considered troglofiles animals, because they are often in caves thanks to the adequate environment and presence of prey for food, without morphological modifications to the cave life.

We report on the Tydeidae and Triophtydeidae associated with grapevine (Vitis labrusca L. and Vitis vinifera L.) in Rio
Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and describe a new species of Prelorryia, Prelorryia labrusca sp. nov., and two new species
of Tydeus, Tydeus manoi sp. nov. and Tydeus riopardensis sp. nov. Brachytydeus formosa (Cooreman), B. podocarpa
(Baker), Neolorryia pandana (Baker), Tydeus californicus (Banks), Pretydeus henriandrei Kaźmierski and Triophtydeus
lebruni (André) are recorded and illustrated. A key to species of Tydeidae and Triophtydeidae from Brazil is provided.

This research was conducted from July to September 2020. The locations used for data collection consisted of several points of water bodies in Sleman. The purpose of this study are to obtain data of the types and distribution of ectoparasites (water mites) in Odonates in Sleman, to determine the types of dragonflies infected, and to determine the habitat characteristics of the infected dragonflies. The method used in this research is purposive sampling technique and sampling is done by using the point count method. The results obtained are that Agriocnemis genus became the host of the water mite of the genus Arrenurus. The discovery of water mites on Odonates was recorded at the inflow of Tambakboyo Dam Sleman. Water mites are found attached to the ventral and lateral parts of the thorax with a number of 1-4 individuals on each damselfly. No water mite infections were found in Odonates at other sampling sites. The inflow of Tambakboyo Dam is characterized by stagnant waters and muddy puddles overgrown with grass on the banks of the main water body. The location is exposed to the hot sun throughout the day with sunlight intensity ranging from 1,500 - 2,500 cd, humidity ranges from 55-65 RH, air temperature ranges at 28°C with water temperatures approximately 26°C. The pH of the water was 6, while the water turbidity ranges from 3-7 NTU.

Our local traditional herbal and medical plant may be interduce alternative bio material alter the biology of the red spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. The present study was conducted to determine the direct and residual effects of the two natural plant extracts, aerial parts of Artemisia vulgaris L. and the seeds of Acacia concinna (Willd.) using soxhelt extractor, against the two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, at the laboratory controlled conditions, 30±2C° and 70±5% RH. Two concentrations, 0.25% & 0.5% were utilized to study its effects on the biological aspects of T. urticae. The results confirmed the effective influence of these extracts on mite life aspects, which altered and prolonged the mite life cycle, and that reduced the number of generation/year. Moreover, the used extracts also achieved of high mortality percentages, reached 65.52% and 51.72% in pre-oviposition period and oviposition period respectively, when treated with the highest concentration of Artemisia extract. Reduction in hatchability achieved 61.11%, 57.11%, 54.11% and 52.11% for Artemisia 0.25% & 0.5% and Acacia 0.25% & 0.5% respectively

Bu çalışma, 2016-2017 yılları arasında, iki vejetasyon dönemi boyunca, Ordu ilinin, Altınordu, Akkuş, Ünye, Fatsa, Ulubey, Kumru, Perşembe, Gülyalı, Kabadüz, Çaybaşı ve İkizce ilçelerinde yürütülmüştür. Çalışmada bu bölgede yetiştirilen sert çekirdekli meyve ağaçlarında bulunan akar türleri araştırılmıştır. Örneklemeler, erik (Prunus domestica L.), kiraz (Prunus avium L.), vişne (Prunus cerasus L.), şeftali (Prunus persica L. Batsch) (Rosaceae) ve kızılcık (Cornus mas L. (Cornaceae)) olmak üzere 5 farklı meyve türünde yürütülmüştür. Çalışma süresince, toplam 176 mahallede, 474 adet örnekleme yapılmıştır. Örneklemeler her yılın mayıs, kasım ayları arasında, aylık periyotlarla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmalar süresince, 3 takıma bağlı 11 familyadan toplam 36 tür tespit edilmiştir. Bunlar içerisinde en yoğun bulunan familyalar Tetranychidae ve Phytoseiidae olmuştur. Bölgede, sert çekirdekli meyvelerde tetranychid akarlardan en çok Tetranychus urticae (Koch) ve Amphytetranychus viennensis (Zacher) (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) türleri tespit edilmişken, en baskın phytoseiid türler olarak Transeius wainsteini (Gomelauri) ve Phytoseiulus finitimus (Ribaga) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) belirlenmiştir. Mite species on stone fruit trees in Ordu province Anahtar Sözcükler: Akar Fauna Ordu Sert çekirdekli meyve ABSTRACT This study was conducted in Altınordu, Akkuş, Ünye, Fatsa, Ulubey, Kumru, Perşembe, Gülyalı, Kabadüz, Çaybaşı and İkizce districts of Ordu province during two vegetation periods between 2016-2017. In the research, mite species on stone fruit trees were invesitigated. The samplings were carried out on 5 different fruit species; plum (Prunus domestica L.), cherry (Prunus avium L.), sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.), peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) (Rosaceae) and cranberry [Cornus mas L. (Cornaceae)]. During the study, a total of 474 samples were collected from 176 villages. Surveys were carried out monthly between May and November months of each year. During the study, 36 species belonging to11 families from 3 orders were identified. Among them, Tetranychidae and Phytoseiidae were the most common families. While Tetranychus urticae (Koch) and Amphytetranychus viennensis (Zacher) (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) were the most detected tetranychid mite species, Transeius wainsteini (Gomelauri) and Phytoseiulus finitimus (Ribaga) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) were the most dominant phytoseiid mite species on stone fruit trees in the region.

In 1993–1995 and 2009–2011, during investigation of reproduction biology of hoopoe, 63 nests of this species
were collected after fledging of the chicks in Slovakia and Austria and their arthropod fauna was analyzed. Altogether
5,481 individuals and 34 species of mesostigmatic mites were found in 82.5% of the nests examined. The nidicolous mite
Androlaelaps casalis was most abundant and frequent, representing 91.7% of all individuals. The richest in species were
saprophilous mites (64.7% of all recorded species), while ectoparasites of the genera Dermanyssus and Ornithonyssus
represented only 0.4% of all mites. Only 8 beetle species represented by 65 individuals were found in 18 nests. The dominant
trophical group were carnivores (mainly nidicolous Gnathoncus buyssoni) with almost identical representation in (86.2%),
followed by a similar representation of necrophags (10.8%). Unlike nests of other birds, the typical nidicolous species
Haploglossa puncticollis and the fungivors were absent due to the dry character of studied countryside and placement of
the nests in boxes situated in vineyard cottages. Only one species of fleas, Ceratophyllus gallinae – parasitizing first of all
in the passeriform birds and being particularly abundant in the cavity nesting birds was recorded in hoopoe nests.

The hitherto undescribed terrestrial fauna of small arthropods (mites) from the intertidal zone of the sea coasts of Cebu is studied in this paper. Thirteen species of mites are described and presented by means of line drawings and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An outline of the biology of the appropriate systematic groups is given and the littoral environment is also taken into account. No comparable investigations from this region have been conducted before, hence this paper.

Studies on metabolic resistance to several pesticides are on the increase all over the world. Therefore, there is a desideratum to get green available material, which could be adjusted to reduce pesticides' resistance in some pests, such as tetranychid mites: Tetranychus urticae, Panonychus ulmi and Oligonychus mangiferus. In this study, they were found to be resistant to Fenvalerate (Pyrethroids) with high resistance ratios (28.57, 32.46 and 37.99-folds) and to Spinosad (Spinosyns) with (27.33, 31.87 and 56.28-folds), respectively before treatment with green nanoparticles of gallic acid. After treatment, all resistance ratios (RRs), that is, for Fenvalerate (27.36, 29.80 and 35.13-folds) and Spinosad (26.55, 30.53 and 27.21-folds), respectively decreased gradually. Cognations among prosperous decrease of metabolic pesticides' resistance, increase in the activity of mono amine oxidase (MAO) and the augment ratios of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), as a reactive oxygen scavenger (ROS), appeared distinctly and resulted in susceptibility to pesticides. The results of this study provide a raising hope to reduce metabolic resistance by eco-friendly implementation and preservation of the ecosystem.

Under Microscope: Varroa destructor under X400 Parasite of Honeybees (ENGLISH STORY) (in ENGLISH).
VIDEO LINK = http://youtu.be/pHEiH3Cpi4o 
Entomologist, PhD, Dr Victor Fursov is talking about mite Varroa destructor - external parasite of honeybees, Apis cerana and Apis mellifera, and being the source of deadly dangerous disease of honeybees - varroosis. (STORY in ENGLISH LANGUAGE). Энтомолог кандидат биологических наук Фурсов Виктор рассказывает о жизненном цикле, особенностях биологии и строении клеща варроа - Varroa destructor - наружного паразита медоносных пчел - Apis cerana и Apis mellifera, питающегося гемолимфой пчел, на личинках, куколках и имаго медоносных пчел, - вызывающего опасное заболевание пчел - варроатоз. Клещи вызывают ослабление и гибель пчелиного расплода, ослабление выводящихся имаго пчел и их гибель, и переносят смертельно опасные 18 типов вирусов медоносных пчел.
Клещ варроа - Varroa destructor - имеет всесветное распространение, за исключением Австралии (в настоящее время).

Bark beetles (Scolytinae) are hosts to a broad diversity of mites (Acari), including several genera of Ori-batida (Sarcoptiformes). Of these, Paraleius (Scheloribatidae) species are the most frequently collected oribatid mites associated with bark beetles. A new species was discovered while surveying the acarofauna of bark beetles in Eastern Canada and is described as Paraleius leahae sp. n. (Oribatida, Scheloribatidae). This species was collected from two host beetle species, Hylastes porculus Erickson and Dendroctonus valens LeConte, in Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The genus Paraleius is rediagnosed, Metaleius is considered a synonym of Paraleius, and the proposed synonymy of Paraleius with Siculobata is rejected. The three known species are Paraleius leontonycha (Berlese), P. leahae sp. n., and P. strenzkei (Travé), comb. n. The barcode region of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) was amplified from P. leahae sp. n.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) accentuated their effects against agricultural pests physically and biologically. The drone of embedded LEDs is utilized to spread the effect of LEDs colors with their different wavelengths at the wide area vastly. LEDs were integrated with their supplements to the drone that is powered by solar energy and controlled through wireless protocol. The drone can cause high mortality ratios up to 80% as direct effect against the most certain pests. Insects with biting mouthparts such as Spodoptera littoralis was affected by white LEDs and showed 100 and 96.67% mortality against the second larval stage which infested cotton, while they caused 96.67 and 90% mortality against the fourth larval stage which infested potato. On the other hand, the both exposed larval stages of S.littoralis which infested cotton and potato were also affected by blue LEDs but lower than white LEDs. In the same trend, concerning piercing-sucking mouthparts insects, they were represented by two aphids, Aphis gossypii and Myzus persicae which showed generally the highest mortality percentages when exposed to white LEDs. Furthermore, exposed mites to the main LEDs colors showed almost different responses. White and blue LEDs caused 100 and 91.35% mortality, respectively, against the green form of Tetranychus urticae infested cowpea. The same occurred in case of Panonychus ulmi that infested apple with 100 and 87.04% mortality by the two colors of LEDs, respectively. Conversely, the exposed red form of T. urticae infested strawberry, to both white and blue LEDs, showed 84.26 and 100% mortality. Besides, the drone with LEDs colors was able to control certain insects and mites biologically. By such simple structure, LEDs were able to increase the voracity of each categorical predator which can come and victual its prey more facile than occurred in control. Such mentioned mechanism is provided the indirect control that recorded 90% and more reduction of pests' numbers. LEDs colors were facilely transmuted depending on the infested plant, pest, place and required mode of action of LEDs. Also, the olfactory responses of each used predator to the exposed pest to specific color of LEDs, was assessed and showed highly significant differences in comparable with control. To recapitulate, such drone can provide biological and physical betokens under greenhouses' conditions to solve the quandary cognate to several agricultural pests effectively. Publisher University of Pitesti, EUP.

Phytoseius litoralis n. sp., a member of the horridus species group, is described from the State of Rio Grande do Sul, in
southern Brazil, based on specimens collected on Psidium guajava, Solanum concinnum and Cecropia pachystachya. This
is the first species of the horridus group described from Brazil. A key to species of Phytoseius reported from Brazil is
provided.

Multiple thin-sections of a Late Triassic (Carnian) siliceous permineralized peat block likely derived from the De Geerdalen Formation on Hopen Island, Svalbard Archipelago, show a dense mass of roots preserving fine anatomical details of various stages of primary and secondary vascular tissue development. The presence of moderately defined rings with few latewood cells in the secondary xylem attests to growth in a seasonal environment. The presence of mucilage bodies and nests of sclerotic cells in the cortical tissues of the roots and pith of subaerial stem fragments, together with scalariform pitting on radial tracheid walls and 2–12 simple pits per cross-field favor bennettitalean affinities for the roots. Evidence of a rich fauna of detritivores inhabiting the peat profile is represented in the form of extensive damage to cortical tissues of dead roots and abundant coprolites preserved both within chambers excavated in the plant tissues and in the peat matrix. Less common gall-like structures within the roots indicate the presence of parasitic organisms in the palaeo-peat ecosystem.

CRYPTOBRANCHUS ALLEGANIENSIS ALLEGANIENSIS (Eastern Hellbender). LARVAL PREDATION. Salmonids have been identified as dominant predators of larval amphibians, particularly salamander larvae (Barr and Babbitt 2007. Freshw. Biol. 52:1239-1248). The presence of trout in lakes has been linked to lower survival in Gyrinophilus porphyriticus (Spring Salamander; Resetarits 1995. Oikos 73:188-198) and reduced larval salamander densities for Ambystoma macrodactylum (Long-toed Salamander; Tyler et al. 1998. Conserv. Biol. 12:94-105). In some extreme cases, the presence of Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow Trout) led to nearly zero survival of larval A. macrodactylum (Pearson 2009. Can. J. Zool. 87:948-955). Larval salamanders such as Salamandra salamandra (Fire Salamander) may increase their use of refuge habitat in the presence of Salmo trutta (Brown Trout; Bylak 2018. Can. J. Zool. 96:213-219). Indeed, larval Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi (Ozark Hellbender) can actively retreat into interstitial spaces when disturbed (Pitt et al. 2016. Herpetol. Bull. 138:36-37). However, they may show altered, weak anti-predatory behavioral responses to introduced non-native or naturalized predators such as O. mykiss (Gall 2009. Ethology 116:47-58). On 8 April 2020, angler Austin Hall discovered a partially digested, gilled larval C. a. alleganiensis, inside the stomach contents of an O. mykiss (ca. 30 cm total length) he had caught on private property in Hatchery Supported Trout Waters of the South Toe River, Yancey County, North Carolina, USA (794 m elev.; specific GPS point is withheld but is on file with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, NCWRC). The NCWRC, as well as private groups, routinely stock trout in this system at numerous bridge and roadside access points throughout the year, and self-sustaining populations of both O. mykiss and S. trutta occupy the river. The NCWRC's most recent stocking event in the South Toe River prior to the date of capture was on 26 March 2020, when an estimated 520 O. mykiss were released along with 10 S. trutta and 1,970 Salvelinus fontinalis (Brook Trout). The closest known upstream and downstream stocking points to this capture are ca. 4.3 and 1.6 km linear stream distance away, respectively. A recent study in western North Carolina found that 71% of radio tagged,

The devastating effects of Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman on Western honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) have been well documented. Not only do these mites cause physical damage to parasitized individuals when they feed on them, but they also transmit viruses and other pathogens, weaken colonies and ultimately may cause their death. Unlike the subspecies of European origin, the honeybees of African origin suffer less from mite infestations. Absconding is one of the factors contributing to low V. destructor population in honeybee colonies as it creates a brood-free period. For a long time, researchers hypothesized that absconding was the main mechanism to control the parasite. The effects of V. destructor are well documented under temperate climatic conditions with a break during winter. Therefore, our study aimed at investigating the impact of V. destructor population growth on colony size, absconding and productivity under natural infestation levels of a tropical/subtropical climate with continuous brood production. We measured several characteristics related to the mite populations, the bee colonies and the resources of the bee colonies for a period of 8 months. The seven colonies that absconded during the study period were not influenced by densities of V. destructor. Absconding of the colonies occurred as a result of low numbers of capped brood. Mite densities were generally low throughout the study period (ranged between 26.9 and 59.8 mites per month) but were positively associated with adult bee densities. The amount of open and capped brood was positively associated with densities of V. destructor in the brood and negatively associated with denisities of V. destructor on screen boards, which appeared as extremely important factors that should be monitored regularly alongside colony stores and availability of pollen.

VIDEO LINK = https://youtu.be/iXohJTZMlvk Клещ Под Микроскопом: История про Иксодовых Клещей и Собачьего Клеща Ixodes ricinus. 19.03.2015 Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. Энтомолог, кандидат биологических наук Виктор Фурсов рассказывает о иксодовых клещах, о их строении, их жизненом цикле развития и их вреде как переносчиков ряда заболеваний - боррелиоза (болезни Лайма), клещевого энцефалита, Ку-лихорадки, туляремии, геморрагической лихорадки и др.
Тип Членистоногие Arthropoda, Класс Arachnida, Подкласс Acari, Отряд Parasitiformes, Подотряд Ixodida, Семейство Ixodidae Murray,
Род Ixodes Latreille

Two proctophyllodid species described by Herbert F. Berla were studied, re-described and their generic status was re-evaluated. A new genus, Lamellodectes gen. nov. (Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae), is erected to accommodate Pterodectes ocelatus Berla, 1960 from the White-collared Foliage-gleaner, Anabazenops fuscus (Vieillot) (Furnariidae), and a new
species, L. distinctus sp. nov., from the Double-collared seedeater, Sporophila caerulescens (Emberizidae). Proctophyllodes minor Berla, 1959a is herein transferred to the genus Platyacarus Kudon, 1982a (Proctophyllodinae) and given a valid name Platyacarus minor (Berla) comb. nov. Updated keys to subfamilies and genera of the family Proctophyllodidae
are presented. In addition, the known biogeographical distribution for each genus is summarized.

Aim
An individual tree resembles a living island, a small spatially distinct unit upon which colonizers maintain populations. However, several differences exist compared to oceanic islands: a tree is relatively young, is composed of numerous differently aged branches, may be phylogenetically isolated from neighbours, and some of its colonizers are specific to particular tree lineages. We suggest that these specificities strongly affect both alpha‐ and beta‐diversity within trees, including positive effects of isolation on the diversity of generalists, and strengthening of the effect of isolation with tree age.

Location
Rennes, Bretagne, Western France

Taxon
Little‐dispersive, generalist oribatid mites (Acari) and highly dispersive, specialist gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) on oak (Quercus sp.) trees.

Methods
We tested the effects of tree and branch age, tree and branch habitat diversity, and tree phylogenetic isolation on per‐branch and per‐tree alpha‐diversity, and on within‐tree beta‐diversity of both taxonomic groups.

Results
For gall wasps, no variable explained diversity patterns at any level. In contrast, for oribatid mites, we found that high phylogenetic isolation of trees and high branch age increased alpha‐diversity per tree and per branch (in young trees) as well as turnover among branches. High tree age decreased alpha‐diversity per branch (in phylogenetically isolated trees) and increased turnover among branches. Increasing habitat diversity increased alpha‐diversity per tree, but decreased alpha‐diversity per branch (in young trees).

Main conclusions
For mites, contrary to common expectation, we suggest that: (a) phylogenetically distant neighbours are a source of immigration of distinct species and (b) with the increase of tree age, species‐sorting results in a few species colonizing and dominating their preferred patches. In gall wasps, strict specialization on oaks, and efficient dispersal may render oak age or isolation unimportant. The positive relationship between isolation and within‐tree turnover is a new contribution to biogeography in general.

Neocunaxoides promatae sp. nov., Bonzia flechtmanni sp. nov. and Dactyloscirus multiscutus sp. nov. are described from
soil and leaf litter in Atlantic rainforest and Atlantic Araucaria forest in natural environments in São Francisco de Paula
municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. In addition, the species Pulaeus quadrisolenidius Castro & Den Heyer 2009
and Lupaeus lectus Castro & Den Heyer (2009) are registered for the first time in this State.

Four families of parasitic mites (Acari: Rhinonyssidae, Ereynetidae, Cytoditidae, and Turbinoptidae) have evolved independently to live inside the nasal passages of birds. A previous survey of nasal mites in Canada drew attention to the dearth of knowledge about these specialised mites, and indicated there were more species of nasal mites to discover in Canada. Since 2008, we have continued to survey nasal mites and herein present the details from infested hosts, 92 host individuals representing 64 species from 11 orders and 23 families. We report 18 new records for species of nasal mites in Canada: 16 Rhinonyssidae, one Ereynetidae, and one Turbinoptidae. No Cytoditidae have yet been recorded in Canada. We also collected five undescribed species of rhinonyssids. A total of 64 host-parasite species records are reported, and of these records, 52 rhinonyssids, one ereynetid, and three turbinoptids are new for Canada. Nasal mites were not collected from 127 host species, and several of these host species were sampled extensively (⩾50 individuals). This research furthers our understanding of avian nasal mites in Canada and highlights the need for continued investigations on these mites.

A new species of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Transeius gervasioi sp. nov. is described from the State of Rio Grande
do Sul, Brazil, based on specimens collected on Cichorium intybus L. (Asteraceae) and Plantago sp. (Plantaginaceae) plants.
A key to Brazilian species of the genus is provided.

This survey had the aim to identify the mite fauna and mite ecologic interaction in rice culture, harvest 2010-2011, in
Taquari and Cachoeirinha Counties, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The mite population was biweekly evaluated on IRGA 424
and INTA PUITÁ CL cultivars in four areas where randomly sampled 20 plants/area. Fluctuation, ecologic indices and correlation
between species and environmental factors were calculated. A total of 1,626 mites belonging to 14 species from 12 families were
collected. Of the total specimens collected, 34.56% was on IRGA 424, in Taquari, 32.47% on IRGA 424-120 and 28.35% on IRGA
424-60, in Cachoeirinha and 4.61% on INTA PUITÁ CL, in Taquari. Family Ascidae showed great richness, with four species,
Lasioseius sp., Lasioseius sp., Proctolaelaps sp. and Cheiroseius sp.. Schizotetranychus oryzae Rossi de Simons (86.65%) was the
phytophagous mite more abundant, while among the predators Neoseiulus paraibensis (Moraes and McMurtry) (6.88%) stood out.
The population peaks of S. oryzae and N. paraibensis happened on March 2011. In all evaluated areas, the correlation between S.
oryzae and N. paraibensis was positive, specially on IRGA 424-120 (r = 0.93, P = 0.006).

Haemaphysalis longicornis is a tick known for transmitting Babesia parasites, including Babesia gibsoni, in East Asian countries. The vector tick must have strategies to control Babesia parasites, while Babesia parasites are also considered to establish an evasive mechanism from the tick’s innate immunity. Due to this mutual tolerance, H. longicornis is considered to be a vector of Babesia parasites. Recent studies have shown the important roles of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain-containing proteins in innate immunity in many living organisms. Some LRR domain-containing proteins were identified in ticks; however, their functions are still unknown. In this study, a novel LRR domain-containing protein was identified from H. longicornis (HlLRR). HlLRR contains two LRR domains, and the expression levels of mRNA and proteins were upregulated during blood feeding, particularly in the salivary glands and midgut. In addition, recombinant HlLRR (rHlLRR) demonstrated growth inhibition activity against B. gibsoni in vitro without a hemolytic effect at any concentration used. Moreover, the diameters of Babesia merozoites treated with rHlLRR were significantly larger than those of the control group. These results strongly indicate the key roles of HlLRR in the tick’s innate immunity against Babesia parasites. Furthermore, HlLRR might be a potential alternative drug to treat babesiosis.

The Acari (Quelicerata, Arachnida) are a high diversified class, not much studied except for those of medical and veterinary relevance. Its enormous adaptive radiation is quite similar to insects, inhabiting from high mountains to deep abyssal fosses. Mites are also frequent at marine intertidal habitats, mainly associated with algae/bivalve communities or on bare rock. In Argentina the knowledge of marine mites is scarce and references for littoral species are almost absent. During a study of rocky intertidal macrofaunal associations in San Jorge´s Gulf (South of Chubut Province and North of Santa Cruz Province) we found the presence of different species of marine mites. The identified taxa are: Parasitiphis sp. (Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae), Hyadesia sp. (Astigmata: Hyadesiidae) and Halozetes sp. (Oribatida: Ameronothridae). This paper expands the geographic distributions of mites to this region. Our findings are interesting not only
because the improvement of available information but for the potential use of this animals as bio indicator of anthropogenic disturbs.

Mites of the family Epidermoptidae (Acariformes) are permanent parasites dwelling on or in
the skin of birds. Myialges Trouessart species are epidermoptids that have a hyperparasitic relationship with
chewing lice (Phthiraptera) or louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae). During 1993–2016 in Manitoba,
Canada, 668 ducks (20 species), geese (five species), and swans (two species) were examined for lice.A total
of 157 males, 191 females, and 539 nymphs of the menoponid louse Trinoton querquedulae (Linnaeus)
(Phthiraptera: Menoponidae) were collected, of which 25 adult lice from three hosts (Mergus merganser
Linnaeus, Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus), Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus; Aves: Anatidae) were infested
with 38 female Myialges trinotoni (Cooreman). Overall prevalence and intensity of M. trinotoni was low,
and mites showed no statistically significant preference between male and female lice. Myialges trinotoni is
recorded from Canada (Manitoba) and United States of America (Alaska) for the first time, and two novel
avian host species records (Lophodytes cucullatus and Anas platyrhynchos) are reported. The male of
M. trinotoni (loose in bird washing) is illustrated and described. The barcode region of cytochrome oxidase
subunit I (COI) was amplified from M. trinotoni and compared with that of Myialges caulotoon Speiser, the
only congeneric species for which COI is available, and interspecific divergence was high (25%).

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst, has been primarily found associated with coconut and musaceous plants in the New World. However, it has also been recorded on several other palms, heliconiaceous and zingiberaceous species. This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of different botanical families on which R. indica has been collected in the field and of arecaceous plants of the natural vegetation of the neotropics. In total, ten species of Arecaceae as well as Heliconia psittacorum [Heliconiaceae] and Alpinia purpurata [Zingiberacae] were evaluated, using coconut as a control. The
study was carried out under controlled conditions (29 ± 0.5 C, 60 ± 10 % RH and photoperiod 12 h of light). Raoiella indica was able to complete immature development only on coconut, Adonidia merrillii, Ptychosperma macarthurii, H. psittacorum and A. purpurata. Duration of the immature phase (egg-adult) ranged between 21.5 days on coconut to 34.1 days on A. purpurata. Longevity was at least 50 % greater and oviposition
at least 38 % higher on coconut than on other plants. Intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was higher on coconut (0.166) and A. merrillii (0.042), but negative on the other two plant species. Raoiella indica could not reach adulthood on any of the other ten arecaceous species considered in the study. The results suggested R. indica to be a threat to A. merrillii in addition to coconut, but not to other evaluated plants. However, complementary studies should be conducted to investigate whether the experimental procedures adopted in this
study could not have prevented the mite from a better performance than it could have been under field conditions, especially in relation to Mauritia flexuosa, one of the dominant arecaceous plants in South America

Neoseiulus HUGHES, 1948 is currently one of the largest genus of Phytoseiidae Berlese. Neoseiulus demitei sp.
nov., a new species of phytoseiid mite from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, is illustrated and described based on
specimens collected on Tibouchina sp. (Melastomataceae) plants. This new species differs from others by having most
of propodossomal setae reaching the base of nearby setae and a constriction of ventrianal shield at level of preanal
pores. Nevertheless, this new species is the first of the species subgroup kennetti described from Brazil. A key of Neoseiulus
species reported in Brazil is also included.

Marguerite Jellicoe’s evocative description of the start of the annual rains in Singida includes a rare reference to the cultural significance of red velvet mites in Tanzania. I first came across these brightly coloured arachnids (family Trombidiidae) in 1981, at the start of my second wet season in the village of Utengule in Usangu (in what is now Mbarali District). I was away when the rains began on 2nd December, but when I returned to the village two days later these small crimson creatures were everywhere on the newly dampened earth. Sangu-speakers called them inkhadupa, their generic name for ticks and mites, and told me that they were thought to fall down from the sky along with the rain. In this respect they were similar to ground pangolins (Manis temminckii), another creature believed to fall from the heavens, from whence they were sent by the ancestors, amanguluvi.

ABSTRACT
Six species of Tenuipalpidae are reported for the first time from India among the seventeen species from South Bengal in the current collection. Among them, three species belong to the genus Brevipalpus, B. melichrus Pritchard and Baker, B.mitrofanovi (Pegazzano) and
B. turrialbensis Manson; one species of the genus Cenopalpus, C. picitilis Chaudhri; and the remaining two species belong to the genus Tenuipalpus, T. crassulus Baker and Tuttle and T. leipoldti Meyer.

Mites (Acari: Acariformes, Parasitiformes) are one of the most diverse and abundant groups of arthropods associated with birds. Several families of mites have colonised the respiratory tract of birds, the Rhinonyssidae (Mesostigmata) being the most diverse. There are 66 species of rhinonyssids (59 named, seven undescribed species) reported from Canadian birds. Two new species of rhinonyssids were discovered while surveying nasal mites from birds in Manitoba, Canada, and are herein described as Sternostoma gallowayi sp. n. from the Horned lark (Eremophila alpestris), and Vitznyssus erici sp. n. from the common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor).

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst, an important pest of coconut, banana, and date palms is a new invasive pest in the Western Hemisphere. The red palm mite (RPM) has been
observed attacking bananas and plantains in Dominica and in Florida (M. A. Hoy, A. Cocco, personal observation). In order to develop an efficient method to rear the RPM in quarantine
for a classical biological control project, several banana and plantain varieties were tested as hosts for the RPM. Bananas are more desirable than coconut (a favored host plant) because bananas are easier to rear in small cages and will produce new shoots quickly after pruning. Red palm mite females did not establish on the banana and plantain varieties (Dwarf Cavendish, Dwarf Nino, Gran Nain, Dwarf Zan Moreno, Dwarf Green, Truly Tiny, Musa sumatrana × Gran Nain, Dwarf Puerto Rican, Rose, Nang Phaya, Misi Luki, Manzano, Lady Finger, Glui Kai, and Ebun Musak) of leaf discs tested, but they established on coconut leaf discs. The mites could not be reared on potted banana trees (Glui Kai, Dwarf Green, and Nang Phaya varieties), but a multigenerational colony has been maintained on coconut trees and leaf discs. No RPM females survived on native palms tested (saw palmetto, cabbage palm, and dwarf palmetto), but RPM completed a generation on needle palm, with longer development time, higher mortality, and lower fecundity than when reared on coconut discs. Our results indicate that coconut leaf discs and trees are better hosts for rearing RPM in quarantine than banana, plantain varieties, or native palms tested. Quarantine tests and field observations suggest that the host range of RPM may not be as broad as some reports
indicate because plants from which RPM adults and/or eggs have been collected might not be suitable for establishment of a multigenerational colony. More studies under natural conditions need to be conducted to evaluate the ability of
R. indica to establish and spread on native and ornamental palms in natural landscapes in Florida.