Understanding pest species composition and their geographic distribution of important spider mites is fundamental and indispensable to establish an integrated pest management program. From a long-term survey during 2008–2017 in mainland China, we found that Tetranychus truncatus was the most frequently sampled Tetranychus spider mite (48.5%), followed by T. pueraricola (21.2%), T. kanzawai (12.5%), T. urticae (red) (5.7%) and T. urticae (green) (4.5%). Among them, T. truncatus was the major mite pest in the north of China. T. kanzawai was the dominant species in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Region and T. pueraricola was the most important species in the southwest region. Other common and serious pests include Amphitetranychus viennensis (6.8%) and Panonychus citri (3.8%). This pattern was largely different from that in 2002–2004, when T. urticae (green and red) was believed to be the most serious mite pest. The factors involved in the change of species composition are not clear and need more exploration. We suggested that the increasing corn planting range may be partly responsible for the conversion of dominant species from other spider mites to T. truncatus. Further research on the mechanisms underlying the change of dominant species will help develop integrated management strategies.

Two new vagrant species of eriophyoid mites, Brevulacus cornifrontissp. nov. and Cecidophyes aliabadisp. nov., living on the under surface of the leaves of Quercus castaneifolia (Fagaceae) in Iran are described and illustrated. It is also the first record of a species belonging to the genus Cecidophyes found in Iran. Keys to the World Brevulacus and Quercus-related Cecidophyes species are provided. As a consequence of species comparison, Rhyncaphytoptus dichromae was assigned to Brevulacus.

More than half of the Brazilian soft ticks (Argasidae) are represented by species associated with bats. Based on a morphological and molecular approach of free-living ticks collected inside two unexplored caves in Rondônia state, western Brazilian Amazon, we report the occurrence of Ornithodoros peropteryx for the first time in Brazil. Our findings also extend the distribution of Ornithodoros cavernicolous towards western Brazilian Amazon. Additionally, our collections include previously unknown male of O. peropteryx. In both species, partial 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene sequences showed >99% of identity when compared to available conspecific data from other localities. Although more data is necessary to make a general conclusion, high vagility of hosts could be favoring low genetic structure among these ectoparasites.

Hyalomma scupense, H. excavatum and H. marginatum are globally important tick species, as well as in Turkey, both in terms of human and animal health. The genome sizes of these tick species were determined in this study for the first time. From flow cytometric measurements, diploid genome sizes of female and male H. scupensewere found to be 2.13 pg and 1.75 pg, respectively, while H. excavatum were 2.21 pg and 1.94 pg, and H. marginatum were 2.48 pg and 1.98 pg, respectively. Differences in diploid genome size indicate X chromosome size of females and males in these ticks because they have an XX:XO sex determination system. Thus, it was estimated that the X chromosome of H. scupense, H. excavatum, and H. marginatum may be composed of as much as 0.38 pg, 0.27 pg, and 0.50 pg of DNA, respectively. These findings indicate suitability of these three species for genome sequencing due to the relatively small size of their genomes compared with other tick species.

Propolyssenia gen. nov. with Propolyssenia wohltmanni sp. nov., based on larva, and Eothrombium fortesambiense sp. nov. based on active postlarval form, are described from Baltic amber. The new genus shares some characters with the extant Polydiscia and Lassenia. The new species are among the three fossil amber representatives of Tanaupodidae known to date. The present-day fauna of Tanaupodidae is revisited.

A new species of the genus Belloppia (Oribatida, Oppiidae) is described from New Zealand; Belloppia bellasp. nov. differs from all species of the genus by the presence of a distal row of clear barbs on the bothridial heads and the median part of the tripartite rostrum strongly protruding and distinctly longer than the lateral parts. Supplementary descriptions for two species, Belloppia wallworkiHammer, 1968 and B. shealsiHammer, 1968 are given based on new material from New Zealand. A revised generic diagnosis and an identification key to known species of Belloppia are presented.

A new species, Stigmocheylus persicussp. nov. (Trombidiformes: Prostigmata: Stigmocheylidae) is described based on adult females from Noor, Mazandaran province, northern Iran. The new species can be distinguished from other species by the following features: non-segmented peritremes; absence of setae c₃; presence of setae g₂; coxa II with four setae; genu I with nine setae; tarsi I–IV with 24(+2ω)-11(+1ω)-11-10 setae. This finding presents the first new species of the family Stigmocheylidae Berlese, 1910 from Asia. Additionally, an identification key to known species of Stigmocheylus is updated.

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) is an economically important pest worldwide and has demonstrated a particularly difficult to manage. Controlling soil-pupating thrips is a promising strategy for controlling F. occidentalis. Beauveria bassiana granules and soil inhabiting predatory mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus have been proposed as alternative control agents. This study evaluated the effect of the B. bassiana conidia on the survival, immature development, longevity, reproduction of S. scimitus by laboratory bioassays. The effect of B. bassianaused as granules on survival of S. scimitus was also assessed under potted condition. When B. bassiana was sprayed directly on each immature stage of S. scimitus at a concentration of 1×10⁷ ml^-1 conidia, their survival rates and developmental times were not affected. Direct spray of B. bassiana on female S. scimitus did not affect their reproduction and longevity. The potted test showed that B. bassiana used as granules has no impact on the density of S. scimitus. Our study suggested that using B. bassiana granules is compatible with release of S. scimitus in soil, and their combined use may be an alternative to traditional F. occidentalis management.

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is an important mite pest worldwide. It often leads to reduced crop yields or poor marketability of the produce and has already developed resistance to many acaricides. In this study, the pathogenicity of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF), Acremonium hansfordii, to T. urticae and its side effects on the predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri were compared. The toxicity of A.hansfordii was evaluated on T. urticae at 1.0×10⁴, 1.0×10⁶, 1.0×10⁸ conidia/mL concentrations and predatory mite N. barkeri at 1.0×10⁸ conidia/mL under experimental conditions at 25±1°C, 75±5% RH and 16L: 8D photoperiod. The effects of EPF on the development of the F₀ and F₁ generation of predatory mites were also assessed at 1.0×10⁸ conidia/mL concentration. The results showed that the corrected mortality of T. urticae at three tested concentrations were 36.67%, 53.67% and 66.33% within 11d, and the median lethal time were 14.39 d, 9.84d and 7.99d, respectively. The corrected mortality of N.barkeri was only 3.9% after 11d at 1×10⁸ conidia/mL concentration. Some hyphae of A.hansfordii were detected on the surface of treated T. urticae but not on N.barkeri body after 7d. After N.barkeri females were treated with 1.0×10⁸ conidia/mL, the preoviposition period of the F₀ generation was prolonged 1.56 times and the other life history parameters have no significant differences; similar patterns were also shown in the F₁ generation. A. hansfordii showed strong pathogenicity against T.urticae but did not significantly adversely influence N.barkeri. Therefore, the combination of A.hansfordii and N.barkeri has the potential to be used for the control of T. urticae in the future.

New species of the genus TenuipalpusDonnadieu, 1875 (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae), namely Tenuipalpus tamarixisp. nov. from Tamarix sp. (Tamaricaceae) is described from Iran (Kerman Province). This species belongs to the proteae species group. A key to all known species of subgroup keiensis is also provided.

Euseius nicholsi (Ehara & Lee), E. sojaensis (Ehara), and Gynaseius santosoi (Ehara) are reported for the first time from Taiwan. The new records were re-described based on Taiwanese specimens collected from various plants. In addition, a new species, E. oolong sp. nov., was described and illustrated. Identification keys for Taiwanese species of Euseius Wainstein and world species of genus Gynaseius Wainstein are provided.

Migratory birds were captured, examined, banded and then released in accordance with a bird banding protocol of the Bird Research Center, National Park Research Institute, Korea National Park Service, from January-December 2010–2011 on Hong and Heuksan Islands, Jeollanam (Jeonnam) Province, in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Concurrently, ticks were collected from captured birds as part of a tick-borne disease surveillance program. A total of 381 ticks belonging to three genera and eight species – Ixodes turdus (297 ticks), Ixodesnipponensis (16), Haemaphysalis flava (46), Haemaphysalis longicornis (9), Haemaphysalis formosensis (5), Haemaphysalis ornithophila (6), Haemaphysalis concinna (1), and Amblyomma testudinarium (1)—were collected from 32 bird species belonging to 3 families. This is the first host report of A.testudinarium (1 nymph) collected from White's Thrush, Zoothera aurea (Aves: Passeriformes: Turdidae), in the ROK. Most ticks were collected from birds during the months of April (44.1%) and November (54.2%).

The strawberry mite, Phytonemus pallidus fragariae (Acari: Tarsonemidae), is an important pest of strawberries grown in a greenhouse, and field-grown strawberries also may be infested at the high humidity conditions. In this study, we evaluated the life history and demographic parameters of P. pallidus fragariae on three cultivars (Selva, Camarosa and Queen Elisa) of strawberry. The experiment was conducted at a constant temperature of 20 ± 1°C, 80 ± 10% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) hours. The age-stage, two-sex life table program was used to analyze the data. The development time was faster on Selva than on Queen Elisa (18.8 vs. 19.1 days). The oviposition period was longer on Queen Elisa than on Camarosa (12.5 vs. 11.9 days). Fecundity and female adult longevity of P. pallidus fragariae were not significantly different among the three cultivars of strawberry. Life table provides the most comprehensive description of the survival, stage differentiation and reproduction of the population. Although some variations observed in the life table parameters of P. pallidus fragariae, no significant differences were observed among three different cultivars. The fast growth was observed for P.pallidus fragariae on Queen Elisa based on population projection. Therefore, research on these three strawberry cultivars can be used to improve our understanding of the population dynamics of the pest and thereby developing effective pest management programs against P. pallidus fragariae.

Taxonomy of the most important predatory mite family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is essentially based on morphological observations, and only a few studies use molecular approaches. In some cases, tiny morphological differences (e.g. number of teeth on cheliceral digits, presence of dorsal solenostomes) should be observed for accurate species identification. Kampimodromusragusai Swirski & Amitai, originally described from Israel, was suspected as a junior synonym of K.aberrans (Oudemans) in an earlier study. The only difference between these two species is the presence or absence of a tooth on the movable digit (MD) of chelicera. In this study, we conducted molecular analyses, using the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) marker, to determine whether K.ragusai is synonymous to K. aberrans or a valid species. DNA sequences of several populations of three other Kampimodromus species collected from Croatia and Italy were included to the study. ITS sequences of other Kampimodromus species deposited in the public GenBank database were also used. Results revealed a 5% genetic distance between K. ragusai and K. aberrans (Jukes & Cantor model). In the phylogenetic tree, K. ragusai is located in a different clade clearly separated from all other K. aberrans. Therefore, these results validate that K. ragusai and K. aberrans are altogether two distinct species. Presence or absence of a tooth on MD of chelicera is a reliable morphological character to differentiate these two species. Additionally, a GenBank sequence deposited as K.aberrans is identical to K. corylosus Kolodochka. This result clearly demonstrates the importance of combining molecular and morphological data to phytoseiid taxonomy, and the need to generate reliable data in publicly available gene bank databases.

The fungivorous Tarsonemus confusus Ewing is a tarsonemid mite causing a so call ‘black-dot’ symptom on the bagged apple fruit in North China, and the phytoseiid mite Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes is a cosmopolitan generalist predator of many agricultural and horticultural pests. In the present study, we evaluated the biological control potential of N. barkeri on T. confusus, by determining its functional response type to prey density of and prey stage preference on both active and quiescent life stages of T. confusus (i.e., eggs, larvae, quiescent larvae and female adults). We found that N. barkeri exhibited all three types of functional response. When fed on eggs and quiescent larvae of T. confusus, N. barkeri had a Type II functional response (i.e., inverse density-dependent predation rate); however, a Type I functional response (i.e., density-independent predation rate) was detected when N. barkeri preyed on T. confusus larvae and a Type III functional response (i.e., sigmoid density-dependent predation rate) when preyed on T. confusus adults. We further showed that the ‘constant prey’ functional response models fit our data better than the ‘depleted prey’ models, as the predator left and reencountered the previously fed prey which reduced its searching efficiency. When all active and quiescent life stages of T. confusus were available, N. barkeri significantly preferred larvae over other prey stages for feeding. Our results imply that due to its quick response to the increasing prey larval and adult densities, N. barkeri could consume a great number of active prey and is thus capable to decline the current fruit damage caused by prey feeding and to potentially prevent the prey population build-up later in the season. Furthermore, predators with Type II response may be efficient at low prey densities, thus augmentative release of N. barkeri early in the season may also suppress the egg and quiescent larva populations of T. confusus. Knowledge from this study provides insights into our understandings in the biological control ecology of N. barkeri.

Three mite species of the genus Pleuronectocelaeno, P. barbara Athias-Henriot, P. japonica Kinn, and P. kinni Khaustov, were recorded in association with bark beetles in Asian Russia. The first description of male of P.japonica is provided. Pleuronectocelaeno kinni and P. barbara are recorded for the first time from Russia and the Far East of Russia, respectively. A key to the adults of Pleuronectocelaeno is presented.

The otocepheid oribatid mite genus LeptotocepheusBalogh, 1961 is recorded in the Australasian region for the first time. The taxonomic status of the genera LeptotocepheusBalogh, 1961 and LongocepheusBalogh & Mahunka, 1966 is discussed, resulting in the recognition of Longocepheus as a subgenus (stat. nov.) of Leptotocepheus and the following recombinations: Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) australis (Balogh & Mahunka, 1966) comb. nov., Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) globosus (Grobler, 1995) comb. nov., Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) longus (Balogh, 1961) comb. nov., Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) youngai (Mahunka, 1984) comb. nov. A new species of Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) is described from New Zealand, Leptotocepheus (Longocepheus) neozealandicussp. nov., which differs from other species of the subgenus by the presence of short, slightly developed prodorsal costulae. Revised generic and subgeneric diagnoses, an identification key and distributions for the known taxa of Leptotocepheus are presented.