Two New Phoretic Species of Heterostigmatic Mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Neopygmephoridae and Scutacaridae) on Australian Hydrophilid Beetles (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae).

Many heterostigmatic mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Heterostigmata) display a wide range of symbiotic interactions, from phoresy to parasitism, with a variety of insects. Australia is expected to harbour a rich diversity of heterostigmatic mites; however, its phoretic fauna and its host associations remain mainly unexplored. We conducted a short exploration of Australian insect-associated phoretic mites in summer 2020 and found two new phoretic heterostigmatic species on a semiaquatic hydrophilid beetle species, Coelostoma fabricii (Montrouzier, 1860) (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae). Here, we describe these two new species, Allopygmephorus coelostomus sp. nov. (Neopygmephoridae) and Archidispus hydrophilus sp. nov. (Scutacaridae), which both belong to the superfamily Pygmephoroidea. Both species are distinct from their congeners, with a plesiomorphic character, bearing a median genital sclerite (mgs). Our study reports both genera for the first time from Australia.

Sheltered life beneath elytra: three new species of Eutarsopolipus (Acari, Heterostigmatina, Podapolipidae) parasitizing Australian ground beetles.

In this study, we conducted a summer sampling of carabid beetles in eastern Australia to identify their associated parasitic mites. Here, we describe three new species of the genus Eutarsopolipus from under the elytra (forewings) of three native carabid species (Coleoptera: Carabidae): Eutarsopolipus paryavae n. sp. (pterostichi group) from Geoscaptus laevissimus Chaudoir; Eutarsopolipus pulcher n. sp. (leytei group) from Gnathaphanus pulcher (Dejean); and Eutarsopolipus chlaenii n. sp. (myzus group) from Chlaenius flaviguttatus Macleay. We further provide an identification key of the world species of pterostichi and leytei species groups as well as closely related species of the myzus group possessing similar characters including short cheliceral stylets. The significant diversity of Eutarsopolipus recovered here suggests that the current knowledge about Australian podapolipid mites (specially Eutarsopolipus) is still in its infancy and deserves further study.

TITLE: Vivre à l'abri sous les élytres : trois nouvelles espèces d'Eutarsopolipus (Acari, Heterostigmatina, Podapolipidae) parasitant des carabes australiens. ABSTRACT: Dans cette étude, nous avons effectué un échantillonnage estival de carabes dans l'est de l'Australie pour identifier leurs acariens parasites associés. Nous décrivons trois nouvelles espèces du genre Eutarsopolipus sous les élytres (ailes antérieures) de trois espèces de carabes indigènes (Coleoptera : Carabidae) : Eutarsopolipus paryavae n. sp. (groupe pterostichi) de Geoscaptus laevissimus Chaudoir, Eutarsopolipus pulcher n. sp. (groupe leytei) de Gnathaphanus pulcher (Dejean) et Eutarsopolipus chlaenii n. sp. (groupe myzus) de Chlaenius flaviguttatus Macleay. Nous fournissons en outre une clé d'identification des espèces mondiales des groupes d'espèces pterostichi et leytei ainsi que des espèces étroitement apparentées du groupe myzus possédant des caractères similaires, y compris des stylets chélicéraux courts. La diversité importante des Eutarsopolipus collectés ici suggère que les connaissances actuelles sur les acariens podapolipidés australiens (en particulier Eutarsopolipus) en sont encore à leurs balbutiements et méritent une étude plus approfondie.

A comprehensive picture of foraging strategies of Neoseiulus cucumeris and Amblyseius swirskii on western flower thrips.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the potential of Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) for controlling western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), by determining the functional response, numerical response, prey switching and mutual interference behaviors of the predators. RESULTS: A type II functional response was detected for two predator species fed on WFT first instars. The attack rate was higher for A. swirskii than N. cucumeris, but the handling time of N. cucumeris was shorter. For two predator species, numerical response was affected by both prey density and oviposition time. The per capita searching efficiencies of the two predators decreased significantly with increasing predator densities. The interference coefficient for A. swirskii was less than that of N. cucumeris. Although N. cucumeris switched from feeding on WFT first instars to feeding on second instars, this behavior was not observed in A. swirskii. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of the two predator species foraging behaviors indicated optimal performance by A. swirskii at lower F. occidentalis densities. N. cucumeris was found to perform optimally at relatively higher prey densities. Moreover, N. cucumeris could be more effective in stabilizing the predator-prey system by switching behavior compared with A. swirskii. At higher predator densities, A. swirskii seemed to be an effective agent owing to its reduced intraspecific competition compared with N. cucumeris. Findings from this study will be useful in selecting appropriate agents and developing effective biocontrol programs to control WFT. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Global distribution and host range of the endoparasitic mite genus Locustacarus (Acari: Podapolipidae) with description of a new species from Iran parasitizing grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae).

Mites (Acari) represent important parasites for a diverse range of hosts. Within the Acari, the Prostigmata represent a diverse suborder of the order Trombidiformes with about 20 000 species, including parasitic forms on both vertebrates and invertebrates. Within the Prostigmata, the genus Locustacarus (Heterostigmata: Podapolipidae) is particularly known as an intratracheal parasite of bumblebees and grasshoppers. In a survey on prostigmatic mites (Acari: Trombidiformes: Prostigmata) associated with insects in the eastern parts of Iran, one new species of the endoparasitic Locustacarus was collected associated to the grasshopper Aiolopus thalassinus (Fabricius) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). This new species, Locustacarus aiolopi Rahmatzaei & Hajiqanbar n. sp., is described here and compared morphologically with other species of the genus. This new species represents the first record of a grasshopper-associated Locustacarus species in the Palearctic. We further provide a comprehensive review of the global distribution of this genus as well as its host range.

Age-Dependent Functional and Numerical Responses of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Two-Spotted Spider Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae).

The age-specific functional and numerical responses of Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) on eggs of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae), were assessed in the laboratory using bean leaf discs. Densities of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 prey were provided to 4- (protonymph), 6- (deutonymph), 8-, 13-, 18-, 23-, 28-, 33-, and 40-d-old N. cucumeris individuals. The functional response of 28- and 40-d-old N. cucumeris fitted type II, whereas the other ages displayed a type III functional response. The longest handling time observed at the age of 4 d was 0.515 h, whereas the shortest handling time and highest value of maximum attack rate (T/Th) were associated with the age of the 28-d-old treatment (0.261 h and 91.95 prey/d, respectively). The numerical response of N. cucumeris showed a significant increase with increasing prey density, but its rate gradually decreased at higher densities. Therefore, the efficiency of conversion of ingested food was relatively higher at low two-spotted spider mite densities, whereas it was reduced at high two-spotted spider mite densities. The stronger functional response and predation capacity of N. cucumeris on two-spotted spider mite eggs indicated the high potential of this predatory mite as an effective biological control agent against two-spotted spider mite especially at its early and middle ages and also when higher prey densities are present.

The second species of Biskratrombium (Trombidiformes: Microtrombidiidae) ectoparasitic on phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Iran.

A new species of Biskratrombium (Trombidiformes: Microtrombidiidae), B. persicumn. sp. is described and illustrated, from Fars province, southern Iran. Biskratrombium persicum larvae are ectoparasites of the adults of Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) alexandri (Sinton, 1928), P. (Phlebotomus) papatasi (Scopoli, 1786) and Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) mervynae (Pringle, 1953) (Diptera: Psychodidae). Fars province is considered as a significant focus of leishmaniasis, a disease which is mostly associated with rural areas; these areas offer favorable habitats to the phlebotomine sandflies due to limited sanitation. This study was performed to identify the natural enemies of sandflies (as leishmania disease vectors) in this region. In this research, B. persicum larvae were removed from their sandfly hosts collected from foci of leishmaniasis (e.g., sheep and goat keeping locations) using sticky traps. Also, the abundance of sandflies infested with the parasitic mite was calculated. Some morphological abnormalities in the species are noted and world parasitengone mites parasitizing phlebotomine sandflies are reviewed.

Two new species of Eutarsopolipus (Acari: Prostigmata: Podapolipidae) parasitizing Syntomus lateralis (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Iran.

Two new species of the genus Eutarsopolipus Berlese (Acari: Heterostigmata: Podapolipidae), Eutarsopolipus gombrooni Hajiqanbar and Mortazavi sp. nov. and E. oconnori Hajiqanbar and Mortazavi sp. nov., are described from different localities in Iran. Both belong to the myzus species group and were found beneath the elytra of Syntomus lateralis (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Carabidae). The carabid genus Syntomus is a new host record for mites of the genus Eutarsopolipus.

New record of a parasitising species of Hydrachna (Acari, Hydrachnidia) on water beetles Eretesgriseus (Fabricius, 1781) (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Dytiscinae, Eretini).

The larvae of water mites of the genus Hydrachna parasitise water bugs and water beetles. Larvae of the genus Hydrachna attach to the thorax and abdomen sternites and tergites under the elytra. Up to now six species of Hydrachna were recorded from Iran, but there are no records on larvae parasitising on water beetles. There is some information about parasitising of Hydrachna on water beetles from the genus Eretes, which is very well adapted to dry climate. The aim of this paper is to describe the morphology of an unknown larva of the genus Hydrachna, found on Eretesgriseus.

New species and records of the genera Scutacarus and Imparipes (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Scutacaridae) associated with Coleoptera and Hymenoptera (Arthropoda: Insecta) from Iran.

A survey was carried out to study scutacarid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Scutacaridae) associated with insects in Borujerd city, western Iran. A new species and six species new to the mite fauna of Iran, and mostly new to Asia, were found. Scutacarus pseudoapodemi Navabi Hajiqanbar sp. nov. phoretic on the ant Camponotus oasium Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is described and illustrated. The new records of scutacarids associated with ants and beetles are: Scutacarus avarus Khaustov, 2008; Imparipes ignotus Khaustov Chydyrov, 2004; I. gagati Khaustov, 2008; I. malus Khaustov, 2008 and I. morosus Khaustov, 2008 associated with various ants, and I. moderatus Khaustov, 2008 associated with the beetle Drasterius bimaculatus (Rossi) (Coleoptera: Elateridae). New host records are documented and the world distribution of these mites is also reviewed.

First Description of Male and Larval Female of Parasitic Mite Eutarsopolipus abdominis (Acari: Podapolipidae) with Redescription of the Adult Female.

Male and larval female of the parasitic mite Eutarsopolipus abdominis Regenfuss, 1968 (Acari: Prostigmata: Podapolipidae) belonging to the myzus species group are described and illustrated for the first time on the basis of the materials recovered from under elytra of Agonum sp. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) from Mazandaran Province, northern Iran. A redescription of the adult female is also provided. It is the first record of this species from Asia and fourth representative of parasitic mites of the myzus species group found from Iran. Furthermore, this finding revealed the first record of the association between tribe Platynini (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Harpalinae) and mites of myzus species group, and one of the highest levels of polyxeny among mites of the genus Eutarsopolipus.

Redescription of Eutarsopolipus elongatus Regenfuss, 1968 (Acari: Podapolipidae) parasitising carabid beetles, with first description of the male.

A species of mites of the genus Eutarsopolipus Berlese, 1911 (Acari: Prostigmata: Podapolipidae), Eutarsopolipus elongatus Regenfuss, 1968, belonging to the acanthomus species group, is found from northwestern Iran. This is first record of the species from Asia including Iran. Also, unknown male of this species is discovered. During a survey on mites associated with insects in northwestern Iran, three colonies of this ectoparasitic species were recovered from subelytral cavity of the carabid beetles (Amara aenea). Purposes of this article are to describe the male and to redescribe the larval and adult females of this species, with world key to male stage of the acanthomus species group of the genus Eutarsopolipus.

New species and records of Neopronematus (Acari: Iolinidae) from Iran with a key to world species.

In this paper, Neopronematus kamalii Darbemamieh and Hajiqanbar sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Iolinidae), collected from apricot leaves in Kermanshah province, Iran, is described and illustrated. Also, the following species were collected and identified from Kermanshah province, Iran: Neopronematus rapidus (Kuznetzov, 1972), Neopronematus solani Laniecka and Kazmierski, 2013; Neopronematus sepasgosariani Sadeghi, Laniecka and Kazmierski, 2012; Neopronematus lundqvisti Sadeghi, Laniecka and Kazmierski, 2012; and Neopronematus neglectus (Kuznetzov, 1972). Some information about the genus, morphologically close species, remarks and a key to Neopronematus species of the world are given as well.

Pseudopygmephorellus mazandaranicus sp. nov. (Acari: Heterostigmata: Pygmephoridae), phoretic on scarabaeid dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Iran.

The mite species Pseudopygmephorellus mazandaranicus Katlav and Hajiqanbar sp. nov. (Acari: Prostigmata: Pygmephoridae) is described and illustrated from northern Iran. This new species was discovered phoretic on three different scarabaeid dung beetles: Onthophagus sp., Aphodius depressus (Kugelann, 1792), Aphodius varians Duftschmid, 1805. This finding presents the first record of the genus Pseudopygmephorellus Khaustov, 2008 from Asia. The host range/habitat and world-wide distribution of species of the genus Pseudopygmephorellus is reviewed and a key to world species of the genus is provided.

Dorsipes caspius n. sp. (Acari: Podapolipidae), a subelytral parasite of Pterostichus caspius (Menetries) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) with notes on host range of the genus and the distribution of the platysmae group.

The ectoparasitic mite Dorsipes caspius n. sp. (Heterostigmata: Podapolipidae) belonging to the platysmae species group collected from the beneath elytra of Pterostichus (Lyrothorax) caspius (Menetries) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in northern Iran, is described. This is the first record of species of the platysmae group from the Middle East. Keys to adult and larval female stages of world species of the platysmae group are provided. The host range of all species of the genus and the distribution of all representatives of the group are discussed.

Two-spotted spider mite reared on resistant eggplant affects consumption rate and life table parameters of its predator, Typhlodromus bagdasarjani (Acari: Phytoseiidae).

The study of interactions between host plant cultivars and biological control agents is important in integrated pest management programs. In this study, the life table parameters and predation rate of Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein & Arutunjan were determined on two-spotted spider mites reared on a susceptible (Isfahan) or a resistant (Neishabour) eggplant cultivar. All experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions, at 25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5 % RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. A significant difference was observed between mean developmental time of immature stages of T. bagdasarjani on the two eggplant cultivars: 6.6 versus 7.5 days, on the susceptible and resistant cultivar, respectively. Net reproductive rate (R 0) of T. bagdasarjani did not differ between the cultivars. Doubling time on the susceptible and resistant cultivars was 3.48 versus 5.72 days, mean generation time (T) was 10.13 versus 16.08 days, respectively. Total fecundity was higher on susceptible than on resistant eggplants, the intrinsic rate of population increase (r) was 0.188 versus 0.119 day(-1), respectively. Daily and total prey consumption of various life stages of T. bagdasarjani on two-spotted spider mite reared on susceptible versus resistant eggplant differed; total consumption was higher on spider mites reared on the resistant cultivar. However, the lower intrinsic rate of increase and higher mortality of the predator on the resistant eggplant (Neishabour) revealed that more attention should be devoted to integrated control of spider mites using resistant cultivars and phytoseiid mites.

Redefinition of the genus Silphitrombium (Trombidiformes: Neothrombiidae) with description of two new species parasitizing beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae, Tenebrionidae) from Iran.

Two new species of Silphitrombium Fain, 1992 (Acari: Prostigmata: Neothrombiidae), ectoparasites of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera), are described from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, eastern Iran: S. elateridum sp. nov. on Heteroderes heideni Reitter, 1891 (Col.: Elateridae) and S. iranicum sp. nov. on Opatroides punctulatus Brullé, 1832 (Col.: Tenebrionidae) and the genus Silphitrombium is redefined. It is the first record of the relationship between beetles of the families Elateridae and Tenebrionidae, and mites of the genus Silphitrombium. A key to the species of the genus is presented.

A new species group and species of the genus Pavania (Acari: Dolichocybidae), phoretic on Onthophagus vitulus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Iran.

Pavania setiformis Loghmani & Hajiqanbar sp. nov. (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Dolichocybidae) associated with Onthophagus (Palaeonthophagus) vitulus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) is described from northeastern Iran. This remarkable new species represents a new setiformis species group characterized by seta-like sc(1), instead of capitate trichobothria. The genus Pavania is thus divided into three species groups: the fusiformis group (15 species), the gymnopleuri group (3 species) and the setiformis group (1 species). We also found P. sabzevarensis Hajiqanbar & Khaustov, 2010 and P. onthophagi Hajiqanbar & Khaustov, 2010 phoretic on Gymnopleurus mopsus (Pallas) and Onthophagus (Euonthophagus) amyntas alces (Fabricius), respectively.

First record of the myzus species group (Acari: Podapolipidae: Eutarsopolipus Berlese, 1911) from Asia, with the description of two new species parasitising carabid beetles.

Two new species of Eutarsopolipus Berlese, 1911 (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Podapolipidae), belonging to the myzus species group, are described from the subelytra of carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Iran. Eutarsopolipus anichtchenkoi n. sp. was found on Pterostichus sp. and E. terricolae n. sp. on Scarites terricola Bonelli. This is the first record of the myzus species group from Asia. A key to the adult females of this species group worldwide is provided, and the distribution and host range of all representatives of the group are discussed.

A new podapolipid species (Acari) on Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) acuticollis (Insecta: Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Iran.

A new species of mites of the genus Tarsopolipus (Acari: Prostigmata: Podapolipidae) is described from southern Iran. Tarsopolipus husbandi Mortazavi and Hajiqanbar n. sp. is a sub-elytral ectoparasite of the scarabaeid beetle, Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) acuticollis. The new species is closely related to Tarsopolipus corrugatus Berlese 1911, but is distinguished from it by the following characters. Adult female: presence of vestigial setae v(2) and shorter setae sc(2). Adult male: presence of setae v' on tibia IV and shorter setae sc(2) and c(2). Larval female: shorter cheliceral stylets and longer distance between setae v(1) and ch. Species of Tarsopolipus are currently distributed in Afro-tropical, Palaearctic, and Oriental regions and parasitize species in 3 genera of scarabaeid beetles, i.e., Scarabaeus , Kheper, and Drepanopodes, all belonging to the tribe Scarabaeini.

World distribution and host range of Podapolipoides spp. (Acari: Heterostigmatina: Podapolipidae), with the description of a new species.

The ectoparasitic mite Podapolipoides anacridii n. sp. (Heterostigmatina: Podapolipidae), collected from the basal hindwings of Anacridium sp. (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in central Iran, is described. Podapolipoides Regenfuss, 1968 is defined, and the distribution, host-specificity and host range of its constituent species are discussed.