Niche Modeling May Explain the Historical Population Failure of Phytoseiulus persimilis in Taiwan: Implications of Biocontrol Strategies.

Biological control commonly involves the commercialization and introduction of natural enemies. Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, a mite species widely used in the control of spider mites, was imported to Taiwan in the 1990s and was mass-reared and released into the field. However, none have been observed in comprehensive surveys of phytoseiid mites for over 30 years. In this study, the distribution of P. persimilis in Taiwan was predicted, and environmental variables that affect its distribution were analyzed. The mountainous region of southcentral Taiwan was determined to be suitable for the establishment of this species, whereas the four sites at which it was released in the 1990s, particularly those in southwestern Taiwan, exhibited low suitability. Notably, the minimum temperature of the coldest month was identified as a crucial limiting factor affecting the distribution of P. persimilis, indicating that a Mediterranean climate is more suitable for this species. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to predict the suitable distribution of exotic predatory mites in a biological control program. The present findings serve as a pivotal assessment framework for the commercialization and foreign introduction of natural enemies.

Predatory mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) intercepted from samples imported to Taiwan, with description of a new species.

Global trade has increased the invasion risk of exotic organisms and damaged agricultural and natural ecosystems. The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) handles quarantine services of animal- and plant-associated pests and diseases in Taiwan. The predatory mite family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is a well-known group due to the potential use of certain species as biocontrol agents for small phytophagous pests. Some species are available in commercial markets and frequently used in biological control in many agricultural systems, especially in greenhouse crops. However, exotic biological control agents may interfere with natural or naturalised populations of predatory mites and they may threaten indigenous populations via intraguild predation. The present study aims to provide a checklist of phytoseiid mite species found in plant quarantine from 2006-2013. Twenty-five species belonging to two subfamilies and eight genera were found in samples imported to Taiwan from twelve countries, including one new species Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) ueckermanni sp. nov. from South Africa. The checklist provides distribution, remarks, and also an identification key for all species.

Redefinition of the genus Luciaphorus Mahunka, 1981 (Acari: Pygmephoridae) with redescription of L. perniciosus Rack, 1983 and L. auriculariae Gao, Zou and Jiang, 1990.

The genus Luciaphorus Mahunka, 1981 (Acari: Pygmephoridae) is redefined. Two species, Luciaphorus auriculariae Gao, Zou and Jiang, 1990 and L. perniciosus Rack, 1983 are redescribed based on materials collected on cultivated cloud-ear fungus, Auricularia polytricha, in Taiwan. The taxonomic position of the genus Luciaphorus is discussed. A key to Luciaphorus species is provided.

Temperature-Dependent Demography of Two Closely Related Predatory Mites Neoseiulus womersleyi and N. longispinosus (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

Temperature has significant effects on the development, survival, and reproduction of ectothermic organisms. In this study, we examined the effect of temperature on the demographic characteristics of two predatory mite species, Neosciulus womersleyi (Schicha) and N. longispinosus (Evans), reared on Tetranychus urticae Koch. The developmental and reproductive traits of both species were examined at 10 constant temperatures between 15 °C and 37.5 °C. The preadult development time of N. womersleyi and N. longispinosus decreased with increasing temperature until 32.5 °C and 35 °C, respectively. The lower developmental threshold (T0) and thermal constant (K) estimated by using a linear model were 11.61 °C and 69.36 DD for N. womersleyi and 11.92 °C and 61.5 DD for N. longispinosus, respectively. Total preoviposition period and total longevity of females and males of N. womersleyi and N. longispinosus decreased with increasing temperature. The mean generation time (T) first decreased with temperature until 32.5 and 35 °C for N. womersleyi and N. longispinosus, respectively, and then increased at higher temperatures. The R0 and r values first increased with temperature until 32.5 and 30 °C for N. womersleyi and N. longispinosus, respectively, and then decreased at higher temperatures. The R0 and r values for N. longispinosus at 37.5 °C were 0.3 offspring and -0.143 d-1, respectively. These results show that N. longispinosus is less fit than N. womersleyi at 37.5 °C.

Species of the genus Euseius Wainstein (Acari: Phytoseiidae: Amblyseiinae) from Taiwan.

The six mite species of the genus Euseius Wainstein from Taiwan are reviewed, including E. ovalis (Evans), E. daluensis sp. nov., E. macaranga sp. nov., E. paraovalis sp. nov., and two species recorded for the first time in Taiwan, E. aizawai (Ehara & Bhandhufalck) and E. circellatus (Wu & Li). Measurements of these species and an identification key for adult females of the six Euseius species from Taiwan are provided.

The Lasioseius phytoseioides species group (Acari: Blattisociidae): new characterisation, description of a new species, complementary notes on seven described species and a taxonomic key for the group.

The Lasioseius phytoseioides species group was first characterised over 50 years ago. Two species of this group, Lasioseius chaudhrii (Wu & Wang) and Lasioseius parberlesei Bhattacharyya, have been considered potentially effective as biological control agents of pest mites of the family Tarsonemidae on rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Asia. A new characterisation of the species group is presented, taking into account a new species here described, Lasioseius piracicabensis Moraes & Pérez-Madruga n. sp., as well as other species mostly described since the first characterisation of the group. The main characteristics of the included species are the reduced number of dorsal idiosomal setae, including the absence of j1 and z1; antiaxial surface of fixed cheliceral digit with a subterminal pointed process; and males with broad lateral expansion of the peritrematic shield in the region between coxae II-III, bearing a pore and a lyrifissure. Complementary notes are presented for Lasioseius annandalei Bhattacharyya & Bhattacharyya, Lasioseius chaudhrii (Wu & Wang), Lasioseius parberlesei Bhattacharyya, L. phytoseioides Chant, Lasioseius punjabensis Bhattacharyya & Sanyal, Lasioseius terrestris Menon & Ghai and Lasioseius youcefi Athias-Henriot. New synonymies are proposed and possible misidentifications in the literature are discussed. A dichotomous key is presented to help the identification of the species of the group, and the distribution of the species is summarised.

Two new species of Digamasellidae from Taiwan (Acari: Mesostigmata).

This paper reports the occurrence of two new species of Digamasellidae from Taiwan, Dendroseius vulgaris n. sp. and Dendrolaelaps (Foveodendrolaelaps) linjianzheni n. sp. Dendroseius vulgaris is described based on the morphology of adult females, adult males and deutonymph, and D. linjianzheni is based on the morphology of adult females and males. This is the first report on the mite species of Digamasellidae from Taiwan.