Carpoglyphus Lactis Research Articles

Description of ontogenetic changes in the morphology of Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant, 1959) and Amblyseius lentiginosus Denmark & Schicha, 1974 (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

This paper provides a comprehensive description of the morphological characteristics of the developmental stages (larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult) of Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant, 1959) and Amblyseius lentiginosus Denmark & Schicha, 1974. Both species used were sourced from laboratory-reared colonies fed with the dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Acari: Carpoglyphidae).

The potential application of Czenspinskia transversostriata in biological control.

Phytoseiid predatory mites are one of the most important groups of biocontrol agents, commonly used in biological control. The ability to produce these predatory mites economically, at high density on cheap factitious food sources, is a major contributor to their success. Astigmatid mites are the most widely used factitious food for this purpose. In this study, we investigated the potential application of the leaf-dwelling astigmatid mite Czenspinskia transversostriata (Oudemans) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) as a prey mite in biological control. We tested whether C. transversostriata is a suitable food source for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae), both in the laboratory and on cucumber plants. Based on a reproduction trial, C. transversostriata proved to be an equally good food source compared to both pollen of Typha angustifolia L. (Poales: Typhaceae) and a frequently used prey mite Carpoglyphus lactis L. (Acari: Carpoglyphidae). In a pre-establishment trial on cucumber plants, populations of A. swirskii reached equally high densities when supplemented with C. transversostriata, compared to C. lactis. Lastly, we show that C. transversostriata is capable of feeding and reproducing on powdery mildew growing on cucumber plants, thereby slowing down the development of the pathogenic fungus. Results derived from this study show that C. transversostriata may have multiple potential applications in biological control programs.

Effects of field releases of Neoseiulus barkeri on Megalurothrips usitatus abundance and arthropod diversity

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is an important pest in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is widely used for control of pest mites and insects worldwide. We evaluated its effect on M. usitatus when predators (N. barkeri) or insecticides (Spinetoram) were applied in the fields. Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes consumed 80% of M. usitatus prey offered within 6 h, and predation showed Type III functional response with prey density. The maximum consumption of N. barkeri was 27.29 ± 1.02 individuals per d per arena (1.5 cm diameter), while the optimal prey density for the predatory mite was 10.35 ± 0.68 individuals per d per arena (1.5 cm diameter). The developmental duration of N. barkeri fed with M. usitatus was significantly shorter than those fed with the dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Acari: Astigmata). In field trials, the efficiency of N. barkeri against M. usitatus was not significantly different from that of applications of the insecticide spinetoram. Biodiversity of other insects in treated fields was assessed, and there were 21 insect species in garden plots treated with N. barkeri releases. The total abundance (N), Shannon’s diversity index (H), Pielou’s evenness index (J) and Simpson’s diversity index (D) of the garden plots treated with predatory mites were all significantly higher than that in the garden plots treated with spinetoram, where we found no species of predators or parasitoids and 7 herbivores. Our results show that N. barkeri is a potential means to control M. usitatus while preserving arthropod diversity at the level of treated gardens.

Transitional chelal digit patterns in saprophagous astigmatan mites

Changes in the functional shape of astigmatan mite moveable digit profiles are examined to test if Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acaridae) is a trophic intermediate between a typical micro-saprophagous carpoglyphid (Carpoglyphus lactis) and a common macro-saprophagous glycyphagid (Glycyphagus domesticus). Digit tip elongation in these mites is decoupled from the basic physics of optimising moveable digit inertia. Investment in the basal ramus/coronoid process compared to that for the moveable digit mastication length varies with feeding style. A differentiated ascending ramus is indicated in C. lactis and in T. putrescentiae for different trophic reasons. Culturing affects relative investments in C. lactis. A markedly different style of feeding is inferred for the carpoglyphid. The micro-saprophagous acarid does not have an intermediate pattern of trophic functional form between the other two species. Mastication surface shape complexity confirms the acarid to be heterodontous. T. putrescentiae is a particularly variably formed species trophically. A plausible evolutionary path for the gradation of forms is illustrated. Digit form and strengthening to resist bending under occlusive loads is explored in detail. Extensions to the analytical approach are suggested to confirm the decoupling of moveable digit pattern from cheliceral and chelal adaptations. Caution is expressed when interpreting ordinations of multidimensional data in mites.

Molecular Identification and Prevalence of the Mite Carpoglyphus lactis (Acarina: Carpoglyphidae) in Apis mellifera in the Republic of Korea.

Apis mellifera, especially weak ones, are highly vulnerable to Carpoglyphus lactis mites, which can rapidly infest and consume stored pollen, leading to weakened colonies and potential colony collapse. This study aimed to ascertain and investigate the prevalence of this mite in honeybee colonies across nine provinces in the Republic of Korea (ROK). A total of 615 honeybee colony samples were collected from 66 apiaries during the spring and 58 apiaries during the summer of 2023. A 1242 bp segment of the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction method. The detection levels of C. lactis in the honeybees were compared between winter and summer. Based on the COI sequence analysis, the nucleotide sequence similarity of C. lactis mites isolated in the ROK with those from China (NC048990.1) was found to be 99.5%, and with those from the United Kingdom (KY922482.1) was 99.3%. This study is the first report of C. lactis in Korean apiaries. The findings of this study demonstrate a significantly higher detection rate in winter, which is 4.1 times greater than that in summer (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the results underscore the usefulness of molecular diagnostic techniques for detecting C. lactis mites.

Enhancing the efficiency of egg collection of the astigmatid mite Carpoglyphus lactis (Acari: Carpoglyphidae) as a diet for predatory mites

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Development and reproduction of four predatory mites (Parasitiformes: Phytoseiidae) feeding on the spider mites Tetranychus evansi and T. urticae (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) and the dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis (Sarcoptiformes: Carpoglyphidae)

The tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi, a notorious crop pest, invaded New Zealand in 2020. In an effort to identify potential biological control agents for this species, we investigated the capabilities of four phytoseiid predators found in New Zealand—Amblyseius herbicolus, Amblyseius lentiginosus, Amblydromalus limonicus, and Neoseiulus californicus. For comparison, we also used the two-spotted spider mite, T. urticae, and the dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis, as prey for these predators. In our first experiment we monitored immature development and oviposition rate (over the first 5 days) of the phytoseiid predators when presented with the three prey species. While all four species of predators could develop and reproduce on the factitious (alternative and easily available) prey species C. lactis, they had limited success when feeding on T. evansi and T. urticae. Amblyseius herbicolus, A. lentiginosus, and Amblyd. limonicus were unable to reach adulthood when feeding on T. evansi and T. urticae in the presence of the protective webbing spun by the mites. While N. californicus matured when exposed to T. evansi reared on black nightshade leaves, it did not lay eggs—indicating potential limitations in prey suitability. In our second experiment, gravid females of all four predators failed to maintain their reproduction when provided with T. evansi in the presence of webbing. Neoseiulus californicus exhibited phenotypic plasticity in its developmental time, body size, and oviposition rate when feeding on the three prey species. This suggests that N. californicus has the flexibility to switch diets to survive during food scarcity, especially when their primary prey, T. urticae, is limited. This study is also the first to offer life history information about A. lentiginosus. Our findings underscore the difficulties of controlling T. evansi using phytoseiid predators and highlight the need for diversified pest management strategies, including the use of alternative insect predators or entomopathogenic fungi.

Microbial diversity in sherry wine biofilms and surrounding mites

Sherry wines are film wines produced in the Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and Montilla-Moriles regions in southern Spain which require an aging process under flor biofilms, known as “biological aging”. The presence of mites in Sherry wine wineries has been reported and associated with improved wine volatile properties. This work analyzes the microbial diversity in flor biofilms and mites in Sherry wine wineries using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) and ITS/gene amplification. Two mite species, Carpoglyphus lactis and Tyrophagus putrescentiae, were spotted in the sampled winery and 32 microorganism species were identified in their exoskeleton or surrounding biofilms. To our knowledge, 26 of these species were never described before in sherry wine environments. We hypothesized that mites feed on the flor biofilms as well as another type of biofilm located in barrel cracks, known by winemakers as “natas” (cream in English). These non-studied biofilms showed the highest microbiome diversity among all samples (followed by C. lactis spotted nearby) thus, representing a niche of microorganisms with potential biotechnological interest. Besides mites, Drosophila flies were spotted in the sampling areas. The role of flies and mites as vectors that transport microorganisms among different niches (i.e., flor biofilms and natas) is discussed.

Variation in the trophic morphology of Astigmatid mites common in UK beehives

The chelal moveable digit in Carpoglyphus lactis (Linnaeus), Glycyphagus domesticus (DeGeer), and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) from UK beehives is described using quantitative measures within a 2D mechanical model. The location of maximum jerk on the profile of the chelal moveable digit indicates the end of the mastication surface, which in these mites is confirmed to be just before the theoretical cut-off point for a functioning chewing `machine`. All three species should be able to grasp yeasts, spores and mycelial hyphae in the hive. The moveable digit of C. lactis may be designed to enable pollenophagy. The mastication surface is 21.3 μm in C. lactis, 18.8 μm in G. domesticus, and 17.2 μm in T. putrescentiae. The wild-collected C. lactis shows the smallest chelal moveable digit tip velocity ratios (i.e., the lowest relative length of input to output moment arms). Glycyphagus domesticus has the most primitive geometry of its chela. The depth of the moveable digit matches the inferred resistive forces applied by the mite to food at that point. Condylar and moveable digit strengthening by sclerotisation is associated with eating tougher food. Effective chelal gape is 28.7 μm in C. lactis, 25.9 μm in G. domesticus and 24.8 μm in T. putrescentiae. Maximum food fragment size grabbed by the chela is estimated as 7786 μm&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; in C. lactis, 5348 μm&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; in G. domesticus and 4703 μm&lt;sup&gt;3 &lt;/sup&gt;in T. putrescentiae. Morsel size pre-ingestion is estimated as 4031 μm&lt;sup&gt;3 &lt;/sup&gt;in C. lactis, 5228 μm&lt;sup&gt;3 &lt;/sup&gt;in G. domesticus and 4246 μm&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; in T. putrescentiae. Under reasonable assumptions one of these mites might be able to excavate its own body volume equivalent in about one hour.

Amblyseius herbicolus mothers prefer to oviposit near eggs of non-kin in the absence of prey Carpoglyphus lactis (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Carpoglyphidae)

Many animal species can recognise and discriminate conspecifics differing in their genetic relatedness. The discrimination of kin from non-kin or more distantly related kin can benefit individuals with increased inclusive fitness and avoid adverse influences from inbreeding. A preference by mothers to oviposit near their own or closely related eggs rather than ovipositing near non-kin or distantly related eggs has been observed in several phytoseiids, possibly to reduce cannibalism and allow imprinting between siblings. The phytoseiid Amblyseius herbicolus reluctantly cannibalise kin (i.e. siblings or offspring) in the presence of non-kin or more distantly related kin. This study investigated the oviposition preference of A. herbicolus females when provided with two sites, each containing either their own eggs or eggs laid by non-kin. The influence of food on such oviposition site preference is largely unknown in phytoseiids. Thus, we also examined the oviposition site choice of A. herbicolus females in the presence and absence of its prey Carpoglyphus lactis eggs. Our results demonstrated a significant influence of prey on the oviposition site preference of A. herbicolus: adults preferred to oviposit near eggs of non-kin in the absence of prey but showed no preference when C. lactis eggs were present at both sites. We suggest that A. herbicolus females preferred to oviposit near eggs of non-kin in the absence of prey to possibly avoid kin cannibalism during food stress.

Effect of Relative Humidity on the Population Dynamics of the Predator Amblyseius swirskii and Its Prey Carpoglyphus lactis in the Context of Slow-Release Sachets for Use in Biological Control in Greenhouses.

Amblyseius swirskii is a predatory mite that is widely used for biological control in greenhouses. One way this predator is released is in a formulation in slow-release sachets. These sachets are prepared with the predatory mite, the factitious prey mite Carpoglyphus lactis, and a food substrate for the latter. The objective of the present study was to study the effects of microclimatic conditions in this type of formulation on the population dynamics of mites inside the sachets and on the release of predatory mites. These experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions in two trials. The ambient relative humidity affected the water content of the food substrate of the prey mite inside the sachets, with an initial value of 21.49 ± 0.42%, which was reduced to values of 4.7 ± 0.25%, 10.87 ± 1.03% and 17.27 ± 0.82% after 21 days of trials when they were exposed to low, medium and high ambient relative humidity levels, respectively. Relative humidity significantly altered the dynamics of the populations of both species inside the sachets and the exits of the predator from the sachets to the external environment.

Improvement of breeding methods of predatory mites Neoseiulus cucumeris and Transeius montdorensis for biological plant protection

The possibility of breeding of phytoseiid predatory mites Neoseiulus cucumeris and Transeius montdorensis using hardwood sawdust as a substrate and frozen dried fruit mite (Carpoglyphus lactis) as feed was studied. The number of larvae produced by N. cucumeris was 31.5 % lower on frozen feed in sawdust than in the control, while in T. montdorensis it was lower by 47.7 %. The number of individuals surviving to adulthood compared to the control was lower by 28.6 % and 42.9 %, respectively. The maximum daily growth rate of the population was reduced relatively to the control by 3.7 individuals in N. cucumeris, and by 4.5 in T. montdorensis –. On frozen feed in bran, N. cucumeris produced 20.5 % fewer larvae than in the control, T. montdorensis – 35.1 % fewer larvae. The number of individuals surviving to adulthood was reduced by 18.3 % and 35.3 %, respectively, compared to the control. The maximum daily population growth rate was 1.7 individuals lower than in the control in N. cucumeris, and – 3.9 individuals lower in T. montdorensis. On live feed in sawdust, larval production was similar to the control (lower by 1.1 % in N. cucumeris and 14.2 % in T. montdorensis). The number of individuals was reduced relatively to the control by 1.7 % and 14.8 %, respectively. The maximum daily population growth rate in N. cucumeris is slightly lower (by 0.7 individuals) than in the control, and in T. montdorensis it even exceeded the control by 0.6 individuals per day. Our results showed the possibility of using sawdust as a cheaper substrate for breeding of both species of predatory mites and poor performance of the frozen feed compared to the live one.

Population dynamics of mites in slow-release sachets used in biological control: a new study methodology.

Predatory mite species (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are essential tools in the biological control of greenhouses pests. The natural enemies can be released directly into a crop. A better, partly preventive system is to place slow-release sachets on the plants. Inside such sachets is a factitious prey's food substrate-which also acts as refuge-and the predator. The objective of this study was to develop a new methodology to evaluate the population dynamics of this sachet system, based on the factitious prey Carpoglyphus lactis and the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii. Through two tests carried out under laboratory conditions, the sachets were first compared to the traditional extraction method that uses Berlese-Tullgren funnels and an extraction method using flotation in hexane. The latter method proved more effective at sampling the motile states (larvae, nymphs, and adults), both for the predatory species and for the factitious prey, extracting up to 3.7 × more mites than the Berlese-Tullgren funnel. Second, the population dynamics of both mite species was studied in a laboratory test, both inside and outside the sachets. In this way, a positive correlation was demonstrated between the number of predatory mites and the number of prey mites inside the sachets. Conversely, no correlation was found between the interior population of predatory mites and the number that venture outside. We can conclude that hexane extraction is very useful both in quality control of predatory mites and in studying how the sachets behave when faced with various factors.

Predators minimize energy costs, rather than maximize energy gains under warming: Evidence from a microcosm feeding experiment

Abstract Climate warming may alter predator–prey interactions and predator feeding behaviour due to increased metabolic demands. How predators meet these increased demands may depend on trade‐offs in prey energy content and body size, handling time and other functional constraints. We tested hypotheses associated with these trade‐offs with the predatory mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus, and three prey that differed in body size, energy content, and defenses (Folsomia candida, Oppia nitens, and Carpoglyphus lactis). We estimated metabolic rate, predation in choice and no choice feeding trials, movement rate, and lipid and protein content for all four species at 16°C and 24°C. We used these data to estimate the predator's energy demands and compared these to estimated energy intake in the choice feeding trials. Predators had greater metabolic demands at 24°C than at 16°C, but temperature did not affect predator or prey movement rates. Warming decreased lipid content, but not protein content, of all three prey species, leading to lower energy content for C. lactis and O. nitens, but not F. candida. In both feeding trials at 24°C, predators increased their feeding on the smaller, energy‐poor C. lactis, but not the larger, energy‐rich F. candida, resulting in lower estimated energy intake. S. scimitus did not feed on O. nitens at either temperature. Predators increasingly fed on small‐bodied prey under warming and not the large‐bodied prey despite the potential for greater energetic gains from larger prey. We posit that predators minimized energy lost during feeding through lower handling costs associated with C. lactis, rather than maximize energy gain. We conclude that selection of prey based on body size changes with temperature as a trade‐off for predators to balance increased metabolic demands. As predators provide top‐down control and regulate energy flow through the consumption of their prey, changes to predator feeding behaviour with climate warming may affect food web dynamics and ecosystem‐level processes. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Phenotypic plasticity of predatory mite Amblyseius orientalis in response to diet switch

Phenotypic plasticity, especially the ability to switch to new dietary sources is essential to invertebrates for survival and reproduction in variable environments. Amblyseius orientalis Ehara (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is an effective predatory mite to control spider mites in orchards, whereas its preys or artificial diets used in mass rearing productions are distinct from the field pests. It’s unknown if predator performance could recover immediately after diet change from rearing condition to pest management. In this study, we assessed life-history performances and predation in four populations of A. orientalis which were fed by two preys (Tetranychus urticae and Carpoglyphus lactis) in respective parental and offspring generations to evaluate the phenotypic plasticity and dietary adaptation of A. orientalis progeny. The results showed that prey species switching in two generations had great influence on predator’s developmental time and longevity. The longevity of A. orientalis reduced from 32.98 to 24.22 days while parent and progeny feeding on different preys. However, the sex ratio, fecundity, prey consumptions of progeny were not different among four populations. The sex ratio of four populations of A. orientalis also showed the consistence of a female-biased trend from 1.57 to 1.75, and the lifetime reproductions were almost equivalent from 25.82 to 28.06 eggs per female. Prey consumptions were similar among A. orientalis females and changed between 21.41 to 23.23 eggs per day. Overall, our study demonstrated that A. orientalis has higher fitness plasticity and does not need long time to adapt the new diet, therefore it can be applied as an outstanding biocontrol agent in pest management after diet change from production to the field.

Evaluation of Natural and Factitious Food Sources for Pronematus ubiquitus on Tomato Plants.

Simple SummaryBiocontrol practitioners have increasingly released generalist predators to control a variety of greenhouse pests. In this study, the effects of alternative food sources on the oviposition rate and the population dynamics of the mite Pronematus ubiquitus were assessed. The alternative food sources were selected among those the mite may encounter or be applied to the tomato crop.Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor) is a small iolinid mite that is capable of establishing on tomato plants. Once established, this mite has been shown to control both tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Tryon) (Acari: Eriophyidae), and tomato powdery mildew (Oidium neolycopersici L. Kiss). In the present study, we explored the effects of a number of alternative food sources on the oviposition rate in the laboratory. First, we assessed the reproduction on food sources that P. ubiquitus can encounter on a tomato crop: tomato pollen and powdery mildew, along with tomato leaf and Typha angustifolia L. In a second laboratory experiment, we evaluated the oviposition rate on two prey mites: the astigmatid Carpoglyphus lactis L. (Acari: Carpoglyphidae) and the tarsonemid Tarsonemus fusarii Cooreman (Acari: Tarsonemidae). Powdery mildew and C. lactis did not support reproduction, whereas tomato pollen and T. fusarii did promote egg laying. However, T. angustifolia pollen resulted in a higher oviposition in both experiments. In a greenhouse trial on individual caged tomato plants, we evaluated the impact of pollen supplementation frequency on the establishment of P. ubiquitus. Here, a pollen addition frequency of every other week was required to allow populations of P. ubiquitus to establish.

The dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis (Acari: Carpoglyphidae) is a suitable alternative prey for Amblyseius herbicolus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Being generalist predators makes many members of the Phytoseiidae family a more favourable choice for biocontrol. Amblyseius herbicolus, a predator of several phytophagous pest mites and insects, has recently gained focus as an important biocontrol agent. Most studies focus on providing alternative food such as pollens as a way to increase their persistence on the targets when prey is absent. In this study, we evaluated the developmental and reproductive performance of A. herbicolus on two different diets: the dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis and Raupo Typha orientalis pollen. The groups treated with C. lactis took 7 days to reach adulthood, while the groups treated with pollen took 11 days. The pollen-treated mites did not reproduce but this is likely due to the reduction of pollen quality. When given C. lactis, A. herbicolus produced more than 20 eggs over two weeks and the adults survived 18–19 days. The ratio of A. herbicolus egg to C. lactis adult used (1:20, 40 &amp; 120) in the experiment did not affect the final population size. Cannibalism and competition seemed to affect all treatments, especially those cells started with three A. herbicolus eggs. Under laboratory conditions, A. herbicolus can be successfully cultured using C. lactis, which is an advantageous method for the laboratory and mass rearing of A. herbicolus.

Determination of the complete mitochondrial genome of Lardoglyphus konoi (Acari: Astigmata)

The mitochondrial genome of Lardoglyphus konoi was 14,269 bp long and consisted of 37 genes including 22 transfer RNAs, 13 protein-coding genes and 2 ribosomal RNA genes. All the 13 protein-coding genes had complete start/stop codons. Most inferred tRNAs were extremely truncated and the T- or D-arm was missing. The position of two rRNAs and the largest non-coding region were separated by tRNAs. The Bayesian phylogenetic tree indicated that L. konoi was closely related to Carpoglyphus lactis.

Studying the Biology of Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) Reared on Dried Apricots and Its Control Using Plant Oil Extracts

Studying the Biology of Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) Reared on Dried Apricots and Its Control Using Plant Oil Extracts

Impact of relative humidity and water availability on the life history of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii

The predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is currently used as an efficient biological control agent of thrips, whiteflies and spider mites, which are economically damaging pests of ornamental plants and vegetable crops grown in greenhouses and fields worldwide. Currently, the effects of relative humidity (RH) and water availability on the optimal growth of A. swirskii are unknown. Here, we test the combined effects of different levels of RH (33%, 53%, 73% and 92%) and water availability on the development and reproduction of male and female A. swirskii feeding on the dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis (Linnaeus). While eggs failed to hatch at 33% RH, the survival rates of the immature stages at ≥ 53% RH increased solely in response to water availability and not due to changes in RH. Regarding growth and development, low RH extended the egg–adult duration and pre-oviposition period. We also found that the negative effects of low RH on fecundity were partially or completely eliminated when drinking water was available. For the life table parameters, the highest values of net reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) were achieved at the highest RH and when drinking water was available. Overall, water availability mitigated the negative effect of low RH on female reproduction, and female development was more sensitive to water availability than male development. Lastly, a comparison of similar research on A. swirskii suggested that water availability and RH are more influential on r than food source or temperature.