The spectrum of Mesostigmata mite species that are phoretic on the bark beetle Ips typographus has been well described. However, phoretic mite abundance has mostly been quantified by researchers who used only a single method for capturing bark beetles: pheromone traps. We therefore compared mite abundance using two beetle-capture methods. At a single location with high numbers of I. typographus in

Salicylic acid (SA) is a signaling molecule that can induce plant resistance to certain herbivores. Although the role of jasmonic acid in mediating mite-tomato plant interactions has been well studied, the role of salicylic acid has not. This study examined how the application of exogenous SA, via its effects on tomato plant physiology, alters the activity of mite digestive enzymes, mite energy reserves

The chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood, is a recently established pest in the USA and poses a serious risk to many economically important ornamental and food crops. In this study the biological control potential of the phytoseiid mites Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman and McGregor) and Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) was compared by examining their predation and oviposition rates when fed

The present study was carried out to identify Rickettsia species with zoonotic potential in ticks collected from dogs in a rural area in Tabasco, Mexico. In total 197 Amblyomma maculatum ticks were collected from 40 domestic dogs. The collected specimens were pooled and subjected to DNA extraction. A fragment (380 bp) of citrate synthase gene (gltA) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Rickettsia africae is a re-emerging tick-borne pathogen causing African tick bite fever (ATBF) in humans. Amblyomma variegatum is the principal vector in most sub-Sahara African countries, whereas in South Africa it is A. hebraeum. Reports of high genetic heterogeneity among R. africae isolates in southern Africa have prompted the need for molecular investigations of isolates form South Africa. Therefore

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that have a significant impact on their animal hosts. Along with mosquitoes, they are the main arthropod vectors of disease agents in domestic animals, wildlife and humans. To investigate the occurrence and prevalence of piroplasmids in ticks, DNA was extracted from 519 hard ticks collected from 116 hunted Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis). The success

N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) is by far the most used repellent worldwide. When applied topically to the skin, the active ingredient has been shown to provide protection from a variety of hematophagous insects, including mosquitoes and flies. DEET’s effectiveness against ticks is influenced by a variety of factors (e.g., duration and concentration of application, drying time, route of exposure, tick

The aim of this work was to adapt and apply the in vitro larval bioassay packet test (LPT) to diagnose resistance of Rhipicephalus microplus ticks to fipronil in Argentina. Ten serial dilutions of fipronil were included in the LPT bioassay. Seven populations of R. microplus from six Argentinean Provinces were evaluated. Samples from Colonia Benítez, Quimilí and Intiyaco were unambiguously classified

Raoiella indica Hirst (Tenuipalpidae) is an obligate phytophagous mite that has rapidly colonized wide areas of tropical America and causes severe injuries, mainly to plants in the families Arecaceae, Heliconiaceae, Zingiberaceae and Musaceae. This study evaluates biological attributes of the species that could explain its potential as invasive pest, its capacity to survive when deprived of food and

Dermacentor marginatus is a widespread tick species and a vector of many pathogens in Eurasia. Due to the medical importance of D. marginatus, control measures are needed for this tick species. Currently tick control approaches rely mostly on acaricide application, whereas wrong and irrational acaricide use may result in drug resistance and residue problems. Vaccination as an alternative approach for

The morphology and formation of stylostomes (feeding tubes) in hosts’ body during the parasitic phase of Allothrombium fuliginosum (Hermann) larvae were studied for the first time with light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The stylostomes were observed in three aphids species—Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), Elatobium abietinum (Walker), and Macrosiphum rosae (L.)—parasitized

The devastating effects of Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman on Western honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) have been well documented. Not only do these mites cause physical damage to parasitized individuals when they feed on them, but they also transmit viruses and other pathogens, weaken colonies and ultimately may cause their death. Unlike the subspecies of European origin, the honeybees

We report the presence of a brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l.) gynandromorph collected inside a house in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. This work provides the first report of gynandromorphism in a tick from Mexico, and represents the third report of this condition in R. sanguineus s.l. in the world.

Cannibalism is a widespread phenomenon in nature, often occurring when food is scarce, for example among predators that have overexploited a local prey population. Instead of cannibalising, predators can disperse, thereby avoiding being cannibalised or cannibalising related conspecifics, which results in inclusive fitness loss. Theory on prey exploitation in ephemeral predator-prey systems predicts

Argasid ticks are a diverse group of acarines that parasitize numerous vertebrate hosts. Along with birds, bats serve as hosts for several argasid ticks, which are commonly found in bat caves. Argasid ticks have regained attention from tick taxonomists in recent decades, with a number of new species described in various zoogeographical regions. Nonetheless, studies on their ecology are still scarce

Citrus leprosis (CL) is one of the most important viral diseases in sweet orange orchards in Latin America. It is caused by members of at least five species of the so-called Brevipalpus-transmitted viruses (BTV), and the prevalent is Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C). This virus has the broadest host range amongst all CL-associated viruses and is transmitted by Brevipalpus yothersi, a polyphagous mite

Four silica-based acaricides were examined in laboratory tests for their effectiveness against poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. All acaricides resulted in 100% mite mortality. Two groups of active ingredients could be differentiated. The products Silicosec® and Ewazid®, based on naturally occurring diatomaceous earth (DE), killed 100% of adult D. gallinae within 48 h exposure time. The time

Reliable reference genes are quite important in calculating gene transcript levels by using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR). Eotetranychus sexmaculatus is known as a dangerous mite causing significant yield reduction of rubber tree latex; however, selection of appropriate reference genes for validation of target gene expression in E. sexmaculatus has not been conducted yet

The efficacy of Allium sativum and Cannabis sativa against Rhipicephalus microplus ticks was evaluated using the adult immersion and the larval packet test. In addition, an in silico approach was utilized by performing a docking study in order to identify the active ingredients from both plants. Results showed a comparatively high lethal effect of A. sativum and C. sativa on egg laying (index of egg

The eriophyoid mite Aceria massalongoi (Canestrini) was collected from globoid leaf galls on severely injured chaste trees, Vitex agnus-castus L. (Lamiaceae), in Bari and Bernalda (southern Italy), and on the Ionian island Leukade (Greece). Female, male and nymph were described in detail, following the current morphometric descriptive scheme, supplementing older and incomplete descriptions. Molecular

Rickettsia amblyommatis has been reported infecting various tick species throughout the western hemisphere, including Amblyomma cajennense sensu stricto (s.s.). The present study aimed to evaluate whether R. amblyommatis can be maintained by transovarial transmission and transstadial passage in A. cajennense s.s. ticks, and whether these ticks are competent vectors of this rickettsial agent. We selected

Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), also known as the brown dog tick, is among the main tick species involved in the transmission of pathogens to humans and other animals and, therefore, the target of numerous control methods. However, due to the disadvantages of synthetic acaricides, the use of alternative products such as plant derivatives has been encouraged. This study aimed to evaluate

The possibility of inducing resistance to the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, in ‘Gala’ apple trees growing under optimal fertilization or nitrogen-deficiency conditions was investigated. The effects of jasmonic acid (JA) at 1.5 and 2.5 mM, and acibenzolar-S-methyl (benzothiadiazole, BTH) at 0.5 and 1.5 mM, applied separately or together, on the fecundity of T. urticae females in

Ticks are among the best studied parasitic groups as they spread important pathogens of medical and veterinary importance worldwide. Migratory birds can play an important role in transporting ticks infected with pathogens across wide geographic regions. It is therefore important to understand which factors promote tick parasitism rates across their avian hosts and the associated potential for disease

The two ixodid tick species Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius) and Dermacentor silvarum Olenev occur at the northern distribution limit of the genus Dermacentor in Eurasia, within the belt of \(34{-}60^\circ ~ \hbox {N}\) latitude. Whilst the distribution area of D. reticulatus extends from the Atlantic coast of Portugal to Western Siberia, that of D. silvarum extends from Western Siberia to the Pacific

Dispersal is a fundamental biological process that operates at different temporal and spatial scales with consequences for individual fitness, population dynamics, population genetics, and species distributions. Studying this process is particularly challenging when the focus is on microscopic organisms that disperse passively, whilst controlling neither the transience nor the settlement phase of their

Avoidance behavior can be a useful parameter for assessing the ability of organisms to escape from pollutants in their environment. For soil evaluation, a variety of invertebrates is used including the oribatid mite Oppia nitens. Here, we tested the avoidance behavior of O. nitens using a two-chamber test and an escape test with exposures to different cadmium concentrations of up to 800 mg kg−1 dry

Morphological abnormalities in ticks have rarely been reported in nature. The existing knowledge about anomalies in ticks collected in Africa is very sparse. In this paper, we describe abnormalities in Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus ticks collected from cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and horses in Kassala and North Kordofan states, Sudan, between January and August 2017. A number of 15 adult

Varroa destructor is one of the greatest threats for the European honeybee, Apis mellifera. Acaricides are required to control mite infestation. Three conventional chemical acaricide substances are used in France: tau-fluvalinate, flumethrin and amitraz. Tau-fluvalinate was used for over 10 years before experiencing a loss of effectiveness. In 1995, bioassay trials showed the first mite resistance

Tick-borne diseases constitute a problem for livestock and public health. Given the socio-economic and environmental conditions of the Colombian Caribbean, ticks are particularly abundant, in turn exposing domestic animals and people in contact with them to such diseases. This study evaluates the presence of Babesia spp., Anaplasma spp., Coxiella spp. and Borrelia spp. in domestic animal ticks (Amblyomma

The genus Brevipalpus (Tenuipalpidae) includes 291 described species commonly found in the tropical and subtropical regions. Morphological characters considered in the taxonomy of Brevipalpus species are difficult to discern, which often leads to erroneous identifications and the presence of cryptic species within species is suspected. New morphological characters are now considered relevant for identification

The fatty acid (FA) composition of lipids in animals is influenced by factors such as species, life stage, availability and type of food, as well as the ability to synthesize certain FAs de novo. We investigated the effect of starvation on the neutral lipid (NLFA) and phospholipid (PLFA) fatty acid patterns of the oribatid mite Archegozetes longisetosus Aoki. Furthermore, we performed stable-isotope

Dermacentor everestianus is an important vector for several pathogens endemic in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, knowledge of its seasonal activity and abundance is limited. Hence, the seasonal dynamics of questing and host-feeding D. everestianus were investigated from March 2014 to February 2016 in Damxung County, north of Lhasa City in Tibet. During the 2-year period, questing ticks were collected

Bacteria belonging to the family Anaplasmataceae cause infections in humans and domestic animals. The consequences of infection can be significant economic losses for farmers. To better understand the epidemiology of tick-borne Anaplasmataceae in Corsica, we used molecular methods to detect and characterize Anaplasmataceae in ixodid ticks collected from cattle. Anaplasmataceae were detected by using

Detection and interpretation of chemical cues is essential for Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman, an important parasite of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.), to complete its life cycle. We collected volatiles from honey bee brood at various developmental stages and screened for V. destructor electrophysiological responses to these with gas chromatography-linked electrotarsal detection. Volatile collections

The tick Rhipicephalus microplus is responsible for the transmission of Anaplasma marginale, which causes hemolytic anemia, abortion, decreased production, and mortality in cattle in Brazil. However, A. marginale can also persist in cattle herds without any clinical signs. This study investigated the relationship between the number of ticks present on each cattle and the circulating number of A. marginale

Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina are tick-transmitted piroplasms that cause severe damage to the livestock industry in tropical regions of the world. Recent studies demonstrated differences in infection levels of these haemoparasites among bovine breeds and variation between individual cows regarding resistance to these diseases. This study aimed to estimate the repeatability and correlations between

Olfaction is a key sensory modality for many arthropods and could be used as a tool in pest management through manipulation of pest behavior. Management of Varroa destructor, important parasitic mites of honey bees, could be improved through better understanding of the chemical ecology of this host-parasite relationship. We refined techniques of mounting mites to obtain electrophysiological recordings

Anaplasmataceae includes the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neorickettsia and Wolbachia, comprising a group of obligate intracellular bacteria. The genus Anaplasma has pathogenic species transmitted by ticks of veterinary and human health importance. Wild ungulates such as deer represent important reservoirs and amplifiers of Anaplasmataceae. The interaction between deer and domestic ruminants represents

Various rickettsiae have recently been detected in Laelaps mites (Acari: Laelapidae), which are common ectoparasites of rodents; however, investigations on this topic remain very scarce, particularly in Asia. In the present study, shrews and rodents were trapped from 2006 to 2010 in eight lowland regions of Taiwan (< 500 m in elevation) to collect associated Laelaps mites, from which Rickettsia—a group

Birds are recognized hosts of ticks, especially for the immature stages which may harbor various species and strains of Rickettsia. To explore landscapes inhabited by birds and their ticks would expand the knowledge on host-parasite relationships and the rickettsiae. The aim of this paper was to record the diversity of ticks collected on wild birds and assess the phylogenetic position of a novel Rickettsia

Microbes associated with the external and internal anatomy of three commercially available predatory mite species—Phytoseiulus persimilis, Typhlodromips (= Amblyseius) swirskii, and Neoseiulus (= Amblyseius) cucumeris—were examined using light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Four microbe morphotypes were observed on external body regions

Ornithodoros capensis sensu lato (s.l.) is a morphologically similar group of soft ticks that parasitizes mostly seabirds in continental and offshore territories worldwide. Ornithodoros capensis sensu stricto (s.s.) has been previously recorded in many islands and coastal localities along the American continent; however, some records from Central America remain obscure. In this work we performed morphological

More than 70 tick species are found in Brazil, distributed over five genera and including main vectors of infectious disease agents affecting both animals and humans. The genus Amblyomma is the most relevant for public health in Brazil, wherein Amblyomma aureolatum, Amblyomma ovale and Amblyomma sculptum have been incriminated as vectors of Rickettsia and Borrelia pathogens. The objective of this study

In this study, we sequenced two complete mitochondrial genomes of Amblyomma ovale, a tick of public health importance. Sequencing two distinct individuals, the resulting mitochondrial genomes were 14,756 and 14,760 bp in length and maintained the same gene order previously reported in Amblyomma. These were combined with RNA-seq derived mitochondrial sequences from three additional species, Amblyomma

The first long-term monitoring to document both activity and density of questing ixodid ticks in Vienna, Austria, is introduced. It was started in 2017 and is planned to run over decades. Such long-term monitorings are needed to quantify possible effects of climate change or to develop tick density forecast models. The monthly questing tick density at three sites has been observed by using a standardized

Tetranychidae spider mites are considered key citrus pests in some production areas, especially Tetranychus urticae Koch. Over the past decades, pesticide overuse seems to have promoted T. urticae population selection in citrus orchards. However, the microbiota has also been pointed out as a plausible explanation for population structure or plant host specialisation observed in several arthropod species

Species of the family Phytoseiidae are predators of pest mites and small insects. Their biodiversity is not equally known according to regions and supporting plants. This paper focuses on Phytoseiidae species on plants of the family Solanaceae. The Solanaceae contain many cultivated plants, for example tomato on which leaf characteristics hinder Phytoseiidae settlement and dispersal. This study presents

We analyzed the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Trisetacus using two genes [cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and D1-D2 region of 28S rDNA (D1-D2 28S)], a representive taxon sampling (nearly 40% of known diversity), and a large set of close and distant outgroups. Our analyses suggest the presence of a dichotomy between Trisetacus associated with Cupressaceae and Pinaceae. The following smaller

We describe a case of morphological anomalies in Amblyomma americanum, a medically important species associated with several human diseases and medical conditions. Based on morphological characters using dichotomous morphological keys, high-resolution light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy imaging, the tick was identified as Am. americanum nymph exhibiting various morphological anomalies

‘Redberry disease’ on blackberries is hypothesised to be caused by the redberry mite (RBM), Acalitus essigi (Hassan), and results in uneven ripening of blackberry drupelets, which become bright red, hard and inedible. This damage has been reported to cause significant crop losses in commercial blackberry production in most regions where commercial blackberries are grown. However, RBM are difficult

The current study was designed to compare the acaricidal activity of pure thymol (T) crystals, eucalyptus oil (E), and their combinations (T + E) at concentrations ranging from 0.625 to 10% against phenotypically deltamethrin-resistant Rhipicephalus annulatus ticks. The adulticidal, larvicidal, ovicidal, and repellent activities of the tested compounds and their possible mechanism of action were studied

Ticks and fleas are arthropods widely distributed around the world involved in the transmission of various vector-borne diseases (VBDs), including Brazilian Spotted Fever (BSF), Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome and the plague, with outstanding consequences for the public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp. and Yersinia pestis in arthropods collected

The family Phytoseiidae contains many predatory mite species and some are used in biological control programs worldwide. The identification of phytoseiid mites is based on tiny morphological structures and sometimes species diagnosis is not easy especially for non-taxonomists. DNA-based approaches may offer a fast and accurate diagnosis to overcome these difficulties, nevertheless more DNA sequences

The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae, is a blood-feeding parasite of layer hens and a potential vector of several avian infectious agents. High infestation with D. gallinae in layer farm buildings could result in economic losses, and the mites may act as a reservoir of avian pathogens within farms. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of D. gallinae in layer farm buildings in Korea and to

Tetranychus urticae is the main pest of strawberry crops and can cause up to 80% of productivity losses under high infestations. Aiming to search T. urticae management alternatives compatible with eco-friendly or organic-based food production systems, this study evaluated the lethal and sublethal toxicities of formulated derivatives from Annonaceae (rich in acetogenins) against this pest species. In

Predatory mites of the Phytoseiidae family are important biological control agents. Many species of this family are omnivores, i.e., besides on prey, they can feed on plant resources such as nectar and pollen. It has been shown that the addition of alternative food for predators to a crop enhances biological control. However, factors such as food availability and quality can also affect interactions

Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites as well as mechanical and biological vectors of a wide variety of microbial pathogens. To date, 19 tick-borne diseases have been reported from Turkey. In this study, ticks collected from Aydın, İzmir and Şanlıurfa provinces of Turkey were identified using morphological and molecular methods. After the presence of bacterial DNA was checked, Rickettsia spp

The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae, is an ectoparasite of great importance related to poultry farms worldwide. Problems associated with its control have led to the search for alternative treatments, especially using inert dust, which has recently been introduced into liquid formulations. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the acaricidal activity of a liquid diatomaceous

We investigated feeding and fecundity of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), on leaves of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) seedlings that had been acclimatized to different light intensities. Based on these data, we analyzed the relationships between mite performance (feeding and fecundity) and leaf properties. The cucumber seedlings were grown in controlled-environment