Notes on mites of the family Myobiidae (Acari: Prostigmata) parasitising rodents (Mammalia: Rodentia) in Iran

Six mite species of the family Myobiidae, Radfordia (Austromyobia)persica sp. n., Radfordia (Austromyobia) merioni Bochkov, Dubinina et Chirov, 1990, Radfordia (Radfordia) acomys Fain et Lukoschus, 1977, Radfordia (Radfordia) affinis (Poppe, 1896), Radfordia (Graphiurobia) dyromys Fain et Lukoschus, 1973, and Myobia (Myobia) murismusculi (Schrank, 1781) were found in Iran on the rodents Gerbillus cheesmani Thomas, Meriones libycus Lichtenstein, Acomys cahirinus (Desmarest), Alus musculus L., Dryomys nitedula (Pallas), and Mus muscullus, respectively. R. (A.) persica is described as a new species from the female, male and tritonymph. The other five myobiid species are new to Iran.     

First record of the Q biotype of the sweetpotato whitefly, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bemisia tabaci</Emphasis>, in Guatemala

Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) adults and immatures were collected from poinsettia plants at two commercial production greenhouses in Guatemala during an invited tour to observe IPM practices within the facilities. Despite extensive scouting, only low numbers of insects were collected from vegetable, weed and wild ornamentals species located close to these facilities. Prior to molecular and biochemical analyses, whitefly immatures were initially identified as B. tabaci using morphological characters of the pupae to distinguish them from the greenhouse whitefly. The biotype status of adults and immatures was then established using esterase isozyme patterns and MTCO1 sequencing. The Q biotype was the only biotype found on commercially grown poinsettia plants. The previously recorded B biotype was observed outside the greenhouse facilities on Lactuca spp., Hibiscus spp. and Euphorbia spp. (wild poinsettia). The New World biotype was observed on wild poinsettia and field-grown beans (Phaseolus spp.). This is the first report of the Q biotype in Guatemala, and serves notice of the need for greater vigilance in the management of whiteflies on poinsettia mother stock used as a source of cuttings for export to the USA.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in small migratory birds, 1964-73.

Chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide burdens, especially those of DDT and its metabolites, have been determined for 19 species of small terrestrial migratory birds killed chiefly at Florida television towers from 1964 to 1973. All 128 samples were sorted into pools by species. All pooled samples except one contained DDE and often DDT and DDD; dieldrin was present in 60 of the samples; but no PCB's were detected. In small subsamples, sigma DDT (p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDE) residues sometimes differed between males and females, adults and immatures, and northbound and southbound migrants but results of these comparisons were inconclusive. Sigma DDT burdens were highest in adipose tissue and much lower in liver and brain samples. Especially among birds taken since 1970 have the pesticide levels in adipose tissue been at low levels, generally less than 3 ppm sigma DDT. These low quantities are comparable to those quoted in other reports on birds of similar trophic levels. The insectivorous and/or partly granivorous birds feeding on or near the ground tended to have higher sigma DDT levels than did the more arboreal species.     

基于DNA条形码的广西苦瓜中实蝇幼虫分子鉴定研究*

实蝇是多种热带、亚热带水果和蔬菜的重要害虫,其卵、幼虫、蛹难以通过形态特征进行种类鉴定。DNA条形码是近年来出现的物种分子鉴定技术,能够实现对昆虫非成熟虫态的快速鉴定。本研究利用DNA条形码技术和BOLD系统,选取线粒体DNA细胞色素氧化酶I（COI）基因片段,针对采自于广西南宁地区苦瓜中的实蝇幼虫样品进行了序列测定、比对和分析。结果显示,在所检测的10头实蝇幼虫样品中,有4头为瓜实蝇［Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett)］、6头为南亚果实蝇［Bactrocera tau (Walker)］。     

A new genus of syringophilid mites (Acari: Cheyletoidea: Syringophilidae) from cuculiform birds (Aves: Cuculiformes)

Cuculisyringophilus crotophaginus gen. n. et sp. n. is described from the guira cuckoo Guira guira (Gmelin) from Paraguay and also was collected from the groove-billed ani Crotophaga sulcirostris Swainson from Colombia and Mexico. This new genus is closely related to Neoaulobia Fain, Bochkov et Mironov, 2000 but is distinguished by the following characters: propodosomal setae sce are situated distinctly anterior to level of setae d1, leg setae vs'II are absent, apodemes I are divergent.     

Seasonal abundance of the western flower thripsFrankliniella occidentalis in the arava valley of Israel

Flowers of 22 plant species grown in the Arava region of Israel were sampled at periodic intervals to study the seasonal abundance ofFrankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Samples were collected from the most common cut-flower and vegetable plant species in this area during 1997 and from pepper in 1996–1998. Western flower thrips (WFT) was detected on 19 of the plant species surveyed, and it reproduced on numerous plant species. WFT counts peaked in late February–April and in October–December. The peak density of WFT during March in our survey corresponded to the peak flowering of cut-flower plants (during spring) and sweet pepper (during autumn). Thrips population was less abundant during autumn than in spring and was very low during summer. The possible reasons for fluctuations in thrips densities are abiotic factors (temperature and relative humidity), and availability of flowering plants. The high temperature (>40°C) and low humidity (∼20%) in summer caused a drastic reduction in WFT populations, although some flowering plant species were available in this season. WFT population remained low until October, when adults appeared in large numbers on flowering pepper. We assume that the thrips had survived the hottest months by aestivation and migrated to the plants when air temperature decreased. In most samples from the cut-flower fields, 84.8% were adult WFT; only during the period from the end of January to March, did the proportion of immature stages in the thrips population increase to 31.6%. Females always outnumbered males (71% females). In pepper fields during the first cropping month the thrips population included 96% adults; from November onwards, the proportions of adults and immatures were almost equal; and females outnumbered males. Organic pepper fields were not infested with thrips because of the presence of the predatory bugOrius albidipennis (Fieber). Contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization. No. 534/00, 2000 series. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 16, 2002.     

Effects of thuringiensin on European red mite (Acarina: Tetranychidae) mortality,oviposition rate and feeding

Effects of two formulations of thuringiensin (ABG-6162A and ABG-6266) on mortality, oviposition rate, and feeding of European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch) were evaluated. Mite toxicities of the formulations were not significantly different. Immature instars were significantly more susceptible than adults. Low mortality of all instars was recorded after 3 d, indicating slow activity. The relationship between log (concentration + 1) of ABG-6162A and ABG-6266 and P. ulmi oviposition rate was best described by fourth-order polynomial equations, suggesting that thuringiensin both inhibits and stimulates P. ulmi oviposition. ABG-6162A affected oviposition at lower concentrations than ABG-6266. A quadratic relationship was observed between log (concentration + 1) of thuringiensin and P. ulmi adult female feeding. ABG-6162A reduced feeding more than ABG-6266 at concentrations ? 1 mg liter^?1. Toxicity to immatures and the sublethal effects described suggest that thuringiensin may control field populations of P. ulmi despite low initial mortality.     

Leaf morphology of melon mediates feeding and oviposition preference,and immature survival of Liriomyza sativae (Blanchard) (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

Phytoparasitica - To assess the influence of melon genotypes on the feeding and oviposition preferences and survival of L. sativae immatures, a study was carried out by offering 21 melon genotypes...     

Toxicity and sublethal effects of an insecticidal soap on Aphidius colemani (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

BACKGROUND: The effects of an insecticidal soap on the survival, fitness and behaviour of an aphid parasitoid wasp, Aphidius colemani (Viereck), were studied in the laboratory. The LC(50) (soap concentration causing 50% mortality 24 h after treatment) was determined. The survival of parasitoid larvae (% adult emergence), fitness (tibia length of adults) and number of eggs produced per female parasitoid that survived in third- and fourth-instar aphids treated with insecticidal soap LC(50) were also assessed. The LC(50) for third- and fourth-instar aphids was determined to be 3.25 g L(-1). Acceptance by female parasitoids of aphids that survived their LC(50) was also tested. RESULTS: The soap concentration causing 100% mortality in adult wasps 24 h after treatment was 17.5 g L(-1). The LC(50) was 2.75 g L(-1). Soap did not have any effect on the survival of parasitoid immatures or on the fitness or number of eggs produced per female parasitoid. Wasps that were in contact with treated aphids did not oviposit as much in them as in untreated aphids, indicating that female parasitoids detected aphids treated with insecticidal soap. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that aphid parasitoids released following treatment with insecticidal soap are likely to accept a lower proportion of the surviving aphids. Biological control programmes could be ameliorated by soap applications if the latter were made 1 day before the release of wasps in the greenhouse.     

Current status of the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, susceptibility to neonicotinoid and conventional insecticides on strawberries in southern California

Since 1998, the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), has emerged as a major insect pest of many horticultural crops in coastal California. Control of this pest has been heavily dependent upon chemical insecticides. Objectives of this study were to determine the status of the greenhouse whitefly susceptibility to neonicotinoid and conventional insecticides on strawberries in Oxnard/Ventura, a year-round intensive horticultural production area of southern California. For bioassay tests, adult whiteflies were collected from commercial strawberry crops, and immatures were directly developed from eggs laid by these adults. LD(50) values of soil-applied imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and dinotefuran were respectively 8.7, 3.2 and 4.9 times higher for the adults, 1.8, 1.2 and 1.5 times higher for the first-instar nymphs and 89.4, 390 and 10.4 times higher for the third-instar nymphs than their top label rates. LC(50) values of foliar-applied imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and acetamiprid were respectively 6.1, 6.0 and 1.7 times higher for the adults and 3.8, 8.7 and 4.4 times higher for the second-instar nymphs than their top label rates. For the adults, LC(90) values of endosulfan, malathion, methomyl, bifenthrin and fenpropathrin were 2.2, 1.2, 1.9, 2.3 and 4.9 times lower than their respective top label rates. Chlorpyrifos was not very effective against the adults, as indicated by its LC(90) being 120% higher than its top label rate. The present results strongly emphasize the need to develop resistance management strategies in the region.     

Screening sticky traps under low magnification for adult Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) and Aleyrodes spp. (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodidae)

Whiteflies are commonly transported in international plant trade, accounting for 25% of arthropods found in association with imported plant material in England and Wales between 1996 and 2006. Several species are of quarantine significance and rapid, accurate identifications are essential in order for phytosanitary services to decide upon appropriate action. Whitefly taxonomy is based on the puparium, but these are often difficult to detect when present at low densities. Adults are more conspicuous and are readily caught on yellow sticky traps. Screening traps under low magnification for adult Bemisia tabaci , Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Aleyrodes spp. using pigmentation characters was evaluated; 5151 adults were examined on 238 traps and their identity predicted. Twenty-one percent of the adults were slide mounted and examined under high magnification to check their identity. The overall accuracy of the initial whitefly species prediction under low magnification was 98%. The speed and reliability of detecting adult B. tabaci on sticky traps was greatly improved and the number of adults requiring slide preparation reduced (by an average of 46% per trap) resulting in significant financial savings, compared to randomly selecting adults for slide mounting. Protocols are presented for removing adults from traps and making microscope-slide preparations.     

Hylomysobia gen. n. (Acari: Myobiidae), a new genus of mites parasitic on gymnures of the genus Hylomys (Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae)

A new genus of Myobiidae, Hylomysobia gen. n. with two new species, H. mikhailzaitzevi sp. n. (type species) and H. chinensis sp. n., is described from gymnures of the genus Hylomys Müller (Eulipotyphla: Erinaceidae). The two species parasitize Hylomys suillus Müller from Cambodia and Vietnam, and Hylomys sinensis (Trouessart) from China, respectively. These species represent the first records of myobiid mites from species in the family Erinaceidae. The new genus differs from the closely related Eutalpacarus Jameson, 1949 by the following features: in both sexes, coxae I have a triangular process, setae ve are about three times wider than sce and c2, and coxae II bear two pairs of setae; in females, setae sci are lanceolate, setae ag1 and ag3 are absent, and the vulvar lobes are weakly developed; in males, setae e2 are absent, and setae c1, d1, d2 and e1 are situated on the genital shield. The life cycle of Hylomysobia spp. includes egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adults, male and female. In contrast to the most other myobiid genera possessing the tritonymphal stage, the deutonymphs of Hylomysobia moult directly to adults, and the tritonymphs are absent. Based on the restricted distribution of Hylomysobia species on hosts of this family (only on species of the genus Hylomys) and close morphological similarities to myobiids from Soricidae and Talpidae, it is suggested that the ancestor of this genus secondarily colonized the ancestor of Hylomys from moles or shrews.     

Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) mitigation in seedling cotton using strip tillage and winter cover crops

BACKGROUND: Thrips are the most consistent insect pests of seedling cotton in the southeastern United States, where symptoms can range from leaf curling to stand loss. In a 2 year study, thrips adults and immatures were sampled at 14, 21 and 28 days after planting on cotton planted with a thiamethoxam seed treatment in concert with crimson clover, wheat or rye winter cover crops and conventional or strip tillage to investigate potential differences in thrips infestations. RESULTS: Densities of adult thrips, primarily Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), peaked on the first sampling date, whereas immature densities peaked on the second sampling date. Regardless of winter cover crop, plots that received strip tillage experienced significantly fewer thrips at each sampling interval. In addition, assessment of percentage ground cover 42 days after planting showed that there was more than twice as much ground cover in the strip‐tilled plots compared with conventionally tilled plots. Correlation analyses showed that increased ground cover was inversely related to thrips densities that occurred on all three sampling dates in 2008 and the final sampling date in 2009. CONCLUSIONS: Growers who utilize strip tillage and a winter cover crop can utilize seed treatments for mitigation of early‐season thrips infestation. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Delphastus catalinae and Coleomegilla maculata lengi (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) as biological control agents of the greenhouse whitefly, trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Predation efficacy and compatibility of the predatory lady beetles Coleomegilla maculata lengi Timberlake and Delphastus catalinae (Horn) against the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) were studied in laboratory on glabrous fuchsia (Fuchsia hybrida Voss cv Lena Corolla) and pubescent poinsettia plants (Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd ex Klotzch cv Dark Red Annette Hegg). On glabrous plants (fuchsia), fourth-instar and adults of C maculata were the most efficient, both against whitefly eggs and pupae. On pubescent plants (poinsettia), the larger stages of C maculata were negatively affected and less efficient than adults of D catalinae. The presence of plant structure did not affect the voracity of either predator species. Finally, the simultaneous use of both predator species generated inter-specific competition. These results provide recommendations for biological control of whitefly in horticultural greenhouses.     

Effects of five vegetable oils on the sweetpotato whiteflyBemisia tabaci

The effects of five economically important vegetable (seed) oils, peanut, cottonseed, castor, soybean and sunflower, on adult and immature stages of the sweetpotato whitefly(Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) [Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae]) were studied in the laboratory. Irrespective of origin, oil residues had similar effects on immature stages and adult mortality, and on settling and oviposition deterrence. Trends for 5-h settling, 24-h oviposition and 24-h survival of adults on treated plants were similar for oils applied at the same concentration range. Settling deterrence was strong enough to cause adult death due to starvation or dehydration under no-choice conditions, and caused greater mortality than direct physical toxicity; similar results were obtained when adult survival on oil residues was compared to survival of starved adults. Adults recovered when transferred from oil-treated to untreated plants. All oils produced similar effects when sprayed on immatures; the egg and fourth instar (pupa) were the most tolerant stages. The oil concentration required for significant effects on whitefly mortality and behavior was relatively high (>0.3%) compared with published efficacy data for synthetic pesticides, and varied to some extent with oil origin. All tested oils were active as direct and residual larvicides. Peanut oil was the most effective for all tested effects, followed by cottonseed oil, which was significantly less effective than peanut and castor oils when applied-directly to eggs. Only by this latter parameter was castor oil more effective than cottonseed oil and similar to peanut oil. As direct sprays to larvae, soybean and sunflower oils resembled castor oils, but their residues were less effective against all stages.     

杭州悬铃木方翅网蝽的捕食性天敌种类及日本通草蛉幼虫捕食作用

本文调查发现杭州悬铃木方翅网蝽Corythucha ciliata(Say)的捕食性天敌有5科7种,主要是日本通草蛉Chrysoperla nipponensis(Okamoto)、普通草蛉Chrysoperla carnea(Stephens)和小花蝽属Orius spp..日本通草蛉幼虫对悬铃木方翅网蝽成虫、若虫的捕食功能反应均符合Holling Ⅱ型方程,捕食作用强弱为:日本通草蛉3龄幼虫捕食若虫＞日本通草蛉2龄幼虫捕食若虫＞日本通草蛉3龄幼虫捕食成虫,其对应的搜寻效率α与处理时间Th值分别为1.0141、0.5687、0.3757和0.0075、0.0121、0.0267.成虫和若虫共存时,日本通草蛉3龄幼虫喜好捕食若虫.日本通草蛉幼虫的搜寻效应随猎物密度的增加而降低.在悬铃木方翅网蝽若虫密度相同的条件下,日本通草蛉2龄、3龄幼虫随着自身密度的增大,其平均捕食量逐渐减少,捕食作用率也相应降低,其捕食作用率E与自身密度P的关系分别为:E=0.3164 P-0.4700和E=0.3411 P-0.4762.日本通草蛉幼虫间存在分摊竞争.     

Contribution to the developmental cycle and taxonomy of Neoglyphe sobolevi Shaldybin, 1953 (Trematoda: Omphalometridae)

In Europe, the life cycle of the trematode N. sobolevi was studied for the first time. Following developmental stages are described in detail: daughter sporocysts, cercariae, metacercariae, adults. Snails Galba corvus and Lymnaea stagnalis were found to be the first intermediate hosts in nature. Metacercariae were obtained experimentally from larvae of the mosquitoes Culex pipiens molestus, adults from the intestine of hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and mice (Mus musculus). This is the first finding of this species in Czechoslovakia. The stability of taxonomically important features and comparison with closely related species is discussed.     

六种蚜虫对多异瓢虫生长发育和繁殖的影响

多异瓢虫是新疆地区的优势捕食性天敌,可取食蚜虫、粉蚧、木虱等多种害虫。开展多异瓢虫的大规模扩繁对于推进害虫的绿色防控具有重要意义,选择适合多异瓢虫生长发育和繁殖的食物,是保证其人工扩繁的重要基础。本研究通过室内比较饲喂6种蚜虫（麦长管蚜、棉黑蚜、棉蚜、玉米蚜、豌豆蚜、桃蚜）后多异瓢虫的生命参数,筛选适合用于其人工扩繁的活体饲料。结果表明：多异瓢虫取食6种蚜虫显著影响幼虫的发育历期、存活率、成虫寿命、繁殖力以及世代历期。其中,多异瓢虫幼虫取食麦长管蚜（7.70d）和玉米蚜（7.67d）的发育历期明显短于取食其他4种蚜虫的;取食麦长管蚜发育成的雌、雄成虫均较重（雌11.02mg、雄8.54mg）;取食棉黑蚜时蛹期（3.80d）和卵期（2.52d）均较短;多异瓢虫取食麦长管蚜（20.02d）、棉黑蚜（21.14d）、棉蚜（20.07d）和玉米蚜（20.37d）的世代历期均较短;多异瓢虫幼虫取食麦长管蚜（96.33%）、棉黑蚜（96.50%）和棉蚜（90.67%）的存活率均明显高于取食其他3种蚜虫的。同时,多异瓢虫雌、雄成虫分别在取食棉黑蚜（44.67d）和麦长管蚜（59.13d）时寿命最长。在繁殖力方面,多异瓢虫成虫取食麦长管蚜（3.53d）和棉蚜（3.68d）时产卵前期均较短;取食棉黑蚜（1044.02粒）和棉蚜（1084.45粒）时单雌产卵量较高。综合来看,在6种蚜虫中,麦长管蚜、棉黑蚜和棉蚜均相对适合多异瓢虫的生长发育和繁殖,是饲养与人工扩繁多异瓢虫较为理想的活体饲料。     

麦园蜘蛛(Penthaleus sp.)及麦长腿蜘蛛(Petrobia latens(Müller))的生物学研究

1953—1955年在晋南、北京等地对麦园蜘蛛及麦长腿蜘蛛的发生规律及生活习性进行了研究。结果明确两种麦蜘蛛一年中:秋季密度最大时期为11月上、中旬。春季密度最大的时期,麦园蜘蛛在3月下旬至4月上旬;麦长腿蜘蛛在5月上旬前后。两种麦蜘蛛均以滞育卵越夏。直至10月中旬,越夏卵始孵化,孵化最盛在11月上旬,此时幼、若虫出现最多,若进行防治可基本上防止以后的猖獗。根据结果分析,估计麦园蜘蛛每年发生2—3代,麦长腿蜘蛛发生3—4代。室内饲育初步观察麦园蜘蛛一世代(从卵到产卵)历时平均约57.8天;麦长腿蜘蛛为32.1天。两种麦蜘蛛都是单性生殖。麦长腿蜘蛛的滞育卵,具多年滞育习性,初步观察有些卵能在土中生活两年。两种麦蜘蛛的分布和猖獗都受湿度的影响,主要猖獗为害地区麦长腿蜘蛛在黄河以北的旱地;麦园蜘蛛在黄淮地区的水浇地或低洼地。耕作栽培对麦蜘蛛的发生有重要影响;连作对两种麦蜘蛛发生有利;深耕能将卵翻至深土之下,可以减少发生;晚播影响麦蜘蛛孵化后的食料。因此,合理轮作、深耕和适当晚播是综合防治中的重要措施。     

Short-term contact toxicity of seven fungicides on<Emphasis Type="Italic">Anystis baccarum</Emphasis>

Anystis baccarum (L.) (Acari: Anystidae) is a predacious mite prevalent in organic apple orchards and IPM vineyards in Quebec, Canada. Each season, 11 to 15 fungicide sprays may be applied to control apple scab in orchards. Laboratory tests of fungicides showed that dry residues of sulfur (Microscopic Sulphur® 92 WP), captan (Maestro®80 DF), kresoxim-methyl (Sovran®50 WG), metiram (Polyram®80 WP), boscalid (Lance®70 WDG) and myclobutanil (Nova®40 WP) were harmless toA. baccarum adult mites. In contrast, a dried residue of mancozeb (Dithane®M-45) was moderately toxic at the field rate and the LC₅₀ was estimated at 1.88 g a.i.l^?1 (1.2-fold the field rate). These findings are only part of the toxicity attributes of these fungicides, since only effects on adults were studied. Once a reliable rearing technique forA. baccarum is developed, effects on immatures, fecundity and egg hatch should be evaluated to complete our understanding of the effects of these fungicides on this predator.