Ticks (Ixodidae) and other ectoparasites in Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia.

A survey of ticks and other ectoparasites was carried out during a national biodiversity scientific expedition at Ulu Muda Forest Reserve, Kedah, Malaysia from 23-29 March 2003. A total of 161 animals comprising 20 species of birds, 16 species of bats, six species of non-volant small mammals and 12 species of reptiles were examined for ticks and other ectoparasites. From these animals, nine species in five genera of ticks, 10 species in two families of Mesostigmatid mites and five species of chiggers were collected. Three of the ectoparasitic species found, Dermacentor auratus, Ixodes granulatus and Leptotrombidium deliense are of known public health importance. This survey produced the first list of ticks and other ectoparasites in the forest reserve and the third study of ectoparasites in Kedah. Fourteen species of these ectoparasites are new locality records.

Reproductive performance of the mite Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) on citrus and coffee, using life table parameters / Desempenho reprodutivo do ácaro Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) em citros e em cafeeiro, utilizando parâmetros de tabela de vida

The flat-mite Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is considered important in citrus (Citrus spp.) and coffee plants (Coffea spp.) in Brazil, and is known as the leprosis and coffee ring spot mite, as being a vector of the Citrus Leprosis Rhabdovirus - CitLV and Coffee Ring Spot Virus - CoRSV. The objective of this work is to find out about the reproductive success of B. phoenicis on citric fruits and coffee leaves by fertility life table parameters and its biology. The experiments were carried out in laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 10 percent of relative humidity and 14 h of photophase. The lengths of embryonic and post-embryonic periods were different due to the host where the mite was reared. B. phoenicis showed better development and higher survival and fecundity in citric fruits than coffee leaves. The intrinsic rate of the population increase (r m) was 0.128 and 0.090 - females/female/day on citric fruits and coffee leaves, respectively. The citric fruits were more appropriate for the development of B. phoenicis than coffee leaves.

O ácaro Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) é considerado importante em citros (Citrus spp.) e cafeeiro (Coffea spp.) no Brasil, sendo conhecido como ácaro da leprose e da mancha-anular, por ser vetor dos vírus causadores da leprose em citros,Citrus Leprosis Rhabdovirus - CitLV, e da mancha-anular em cafeeiro,Coffee Ring Spot Virus - CoRSV. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o sucesso reprodutivo de B. phoenicis, em frutos cítricos e em folhas de cafeeiro, por meio de parâmetros calculados a partir da tabela de vida,de fertilidade e da biologia. Os experimentos foram realizados em laboratório a 25 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 10 por cento de umidade relativa e 14 h de fotofase. Os períodos embrionário e pós-embrionário apresentaram diferenças em função do hospedeiro em que o ácaro foi criado.B. phoenicis teve melhor desenvolvimento, maior sobrevivência e maior fertilidade específica em frutos cítricos do que em folhas de cafeeiro. A taxa intrínseca de crescimento populacional (rm) foi de 0,128 e 0,090 fêmeas/fêmea/dia em frutos cítricos e em folhas de cafeeiro, respectivamente. Os frutos cítricos mostraram-se mais adequados ao desenvolvimento de B. phoenicis do que as folhas de cafeeiro.