Family Eriophyidae Research Articles

Eriophyid mites in fruit crops: Biology, ecology, molecular aspects, and innovative control strategies

Eriophyid mites, minute arachnids within the family Eriophyidae, pose significant threats to fruit crops globally, leading to substantial economic losses in agriculture. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the intricate biology, ecology, molecular aspects, and innovative control strategies of these pervasive pests. Eriophyid mites exhibit a complex life cycle and reproductive strategy, with their habitat preferences and distribution heavily influenced by environmental factors and host-plant interactions. Advances in molecular biology have provided more profound insights into their genetics and interactions at the molecular level, revealing crucial information for developing targeted pest management strategies. Control strategies for eriophyid mites encompass chemical methods, such as applying acaricides and understanding resistance mechanisms, as well as biological control using natural predators and parasitoids. Cultural and physical control methods, including crop rotation and mechanical removal, play vital roles in integrated pest management (IPM). Emerging approaches like RNA interference (RNAi) and semiochemical-based controls offer promising alternatives for sustainable pest management. This review underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to effectively manage eriophyid mite infestations, integrating traditional and novel strategies. Future research should focus on overcoming current challenges, enhancing the efficacy of control methods, and further exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying mite-plant interactions

The hibiscus erineum mite, Aceria hibisci (Nalepa 1906)

Aceria hibisci, the hibiscus erineum mite, is a mite in the family Eriophyidae and can be a pest on ornamental Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants. Eriophyid mites are small worm-like mites that feed on plants by sucking out the cellular contents from leaves and stems. During feeding, they release chemicals that cause the formation of abnormal plant growths like galls and erinea. This mite species is not currently present in the continental U.S., but is established in several Pacific islands including Fiji and Hawaii, as well as Caribbean regions including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. Therefore, it is a species of concern with potential to become introduced and established in the continental U.S. This publication describes biology, diagnosis, distribution, and management of this mite species.

Reassignment of Epitrimerus violarius Liro, 1941 (Acariformes: Eriophyoidea) to the genus Leipothrix, with a supplementary description of the species

ABSTRACT Morphological measurements and genetic analysis of Epitrimerus violarius Liro (Acariformes: Eriophyoidea) with illustrations of males, females, and immature stages are presented in this paper. This species was reported for the first time in Poland and was collected from the leaves of Viola uliginosa in Cracow. The findings of this research provide insights for reassignment from the genus Epitrimerus Nalepa to the genus Leipothrix Keifer, within the family Eriophyidae. Aside from the molecular analysis that confirms the association with the proposed genus, the reassignment is also supported by the absence of femoral seta (bv) on both pairs of legs, and the presence of bifurcate gnathosomal seta, which are unique for Leipothrix. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:8E5B7C0A-ED93-4409-A5B4-D289B486A650

Occurrence of Tegolophus brunneus and Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Acari: Eriophyidae) on the main citrus belt of Brazil and the differential toxicity of the acaricides to these species.

Many mites of the family Eriophyidae are important pests worldwide. In citrus crops, the eriophyid Phyllocoptruta oleivora stands out for the economic losses caused. The pest's injuries cause the darkening of leaves, twigs, and fruits, making them unfit for the fresh fruit market and affecting plant productivity. Another species that causes similar symptoms was described in Brazil recently, the brown citrus rust mite, Tegolophus brunneus. Although studies have not been performed with this species, growers and technicians have attributed the rise in rust damages in Brazil to T. brunneus, affirming that this mite is more aggressive and resistant to acaricides than P. oleivora. In this study, the distribution of T. brunneus in the main Brazilian citrus belt and the differential toxicity of the acaricides sulfur and abamectin were evaluated for both species. Infested fruits were collected from different orchards in many municipalities, covering the main citrus species and cultivars grown, aiming to show the main T. brunneus hosts. It was observed that only plants of Tahiti acid lime (Citrus latifolia) were infested by T. brunneus, whereas P. oleivora infested all citrus cultivars and species evaluated (Citrus spp.). In our study, T. brunneus and P. oleivora were never observed coinfesting the same fruit/leaf or plant. The acute toxicity test of sulfur and abamectin as acaricides showed that T. brunneus has greater tolerance to abamectin than P. oleivora. However, the acute toxicity of sulfur was similar for both species. These results showed T. brunneus specificity to infest Tahiti acid lime, causing important damage to this crop, and suggest that attention should be paid to managing this mite using abamectin.

Two new species and complementary descriptions of four new records of family Eriophyidae (Acari: Trombidiformes) in Egypt

During a survey on eriophyoid mites associated with plants in Egypt, six eriophyoid species were collected. The genus Neserella Meyer & Ueckermann, 1989 is reported for the first time from Egypt based on newly collected samples of N. capreifoliae Meyer & Ueckermann, 1989 vagrant on leaves of Ficus carica L. (Moraceae). Aceria sissoae sp. nov. collected from Dalbergia sissoo DC. (Leguminosae) vagrant on the undersurface of petals and pods causing rusting symptoms. Three new records, Aceria suri Ueckermann, 1991 on leaves and buds of Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae) causing leaf blisters, Aceria tribuli (Keifer, 1974) vagrant on the stems and leaves of Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae), Aceria tumisetus Meyer & Ueckermann, 1992 vagrant on the upper side of the leaves of Gazania ringens (L.) Gaertn. (Compositae) are collected for the first time in Egypt. Also, a new species, Tegonotus caricus sp. nov., was found on F. carica L. and herein described and illustrated. This is also the first record for the genus from Egypt. Complementary descriptions and illustrations of the four newly recorded species based on adult females, males and immature stages are also included. A key to eriophyoid mite species associated with family Moraceae in Egypt is provided.

Notes on the Citrus Rust Mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead), as a Major Pest of Citrus in Indonesia

Most citrus farmers in Indonesia believed that rust on citrus fruits resulted from insect attacks. This research aims to determine the cause of rust on citrus fruit and its damage intensity. The study was carried out in commercial citrus plantations in three provinces, on Citrus sinensis and C. reticulata plantations in East Java, C. reticulata and C. suhuensis in West Kalimantan and C. suhuensis in North Sumatra. An additional observation was also conducted to collect mite specimens on citrus plantations in Malang, East Java. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and light microscope were used to observe and identify each collected sample. Results showed that the cause of rust-colored citrus fruit in three provinces is the citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead). It belongs to the family Eriophyidae with two pairs of legs with regular segmentation, five-rayed featherclaws, and a net pattern on prodorsum. The specific damage produced by this mite is rust-colored symptoms. Damage intensity of citrus rust mite in tree provinces averaging 32.6%, ranging from 30 to 40%, and ca. the mite attacks 90% of citrus fruits. Predaceous mites, predaceous insects, and entomo-acaropathogenic fungi are found on plantations.

Laporan baru tungau Tarsonemus bilobatus Suski dan karakter utama tungau lain pada daun tanaman jeruk di Pulau Jawa, Indonesia

Citrus is one of the most important fruit crops in Indonesia. One of the main problems in citrus production is mite infestation. Many mite species were reported attacking citrus around the world. This study was aimed to identify mites and describe the main characters of various species of mites on citrus in Java, Indonesia. Sampling was carried out at the location of citrus plantations and citrus plants in the yard of the house which was carried out purposively. In a large planting area, sampling was carried out on 10 citrus trees that showed symptoms of mite attack. The identification process is carried out by a mounting process to obtain specimens that can be observed under a compound microscope using PVA. Eight species of mites were collected from 8 various of citrus from 15 location. Six mites species were identified as phytophagous, i.e., Panonychus citri McGregor, Eotetranychus sp., Eutetranychus sp. (Family Tetranychidae), Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Family Tenuipalpidae), Tarsonemus bilobatus Suski (Family Tarsonemidae), and Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Family Eriophyidae). Meanwhile, the other two species, Amblyseius sp. (Family Phytoseiidae) and Cheletogenes ornatus (Canestrini & Fanzago) (Family Cheyletidae) were predators. Unidentified mites were Family Tydeidae and Winterschmidtiidae. According to Regulation No. 31 of 2018, P. citri and Ph. oleivora are quarantine pest. T. bilobatus is firstly reported in Indonesia.

Five new eriophyoid mite species associated with plum orchards, Prunus domestica L. and five new records of the superfamily Eriophyoidea (Acari: Trombidiformes) from Hamedan Province, Iran

Eriophyoid mites from plum trees (Prunus domestica L.) in Hamadan Province, northwestern Iran, were collected during a survey in 2018–2020. Altogether 12 species, belonging to eight genera and two families, are reported herein. Five species are new to science and five species are new records for Hamadan province of Iran. The collected mites according to their families, genera and species are as follows: family Diptilomiopidae: Quadracus reticulatus sp. nov., Rhinophytoptus nemalobos Lotfollahi & de Lillo, 2014, Diptacus hamedanicus Jafari & Khanjani, 2020, Diptacus gigantorhynchus (Nalepa, 1892); family Eriophyidae: Acalitus iranicus sp. nov. causes small irregular galls around of buds, Aculus flechtmanni sp. nov., Aculus fockeui (Nalepa & Trouessart, 1891), Eriophyes prunorum sp. nov. causes blisters on leaf surface, Eriophyes savagei Keifer, 1939 causes leaf nail galls, Phyllocoptes hamedi sp. nov., Phyllocoptes abaenus Keifer, 1940, and Tetra pruni Jafari, Khanjani & Ueckermann, 2020.

Three new species of the family Eriophyidae (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from South China

In this paper, three new species of eriophyoid mites of the family Eriophyidae from South China are described and illustrated. They are: Stenacis cryptomeris sp. nov. infesting Cryptomeria japonica (Thunb. Ex L.f.) D.Don (Cupressaceae), Tetra guizhouensis sp. nov. infesting Caesalpinia sp. (Leguminosae), and Nothopoda schimae sp. nov. infesting Schima superba Gardner & Champ. (Theaceae). All of these three new species are vagrants on lower leaf surface and causing no apparent damages to their host plants.

Perilla Mosaic Virus Is a Highly Divergent Emaravirus Transmitted by Shevtchenkella sp. (Acari: Eriophyidae).

Shiso (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) is widely grown as an important vegetable or herb crop in Japan. Beginning around the year 2000, occurrences of severe mosaic symptoms on shiso were documented and gradually spread across Kochi Prefecture, one of four major shiso production areas in Japan. Next generation sequencing and cloning indicated the presence of a previously unknown virus related to the members of the genus Emaravirus, for which we proposed the name Perilla mosaic virus (PerMV). The genome of PerMV consists of 10 RNA segments, each encoding a single protein in the negative-sense orientation. Of these proteins, P1, P2, P3a, P3b, P4, and P5 show amino acid sequence similarities with those of known emaraviruses, whereas no similarities were found in P6a, P6b, P6c, and P7. Characteristics of the RNA segments as well as phylogenetic analysis of P1 to P4 indicate that PerMV is a distinct and highly divergent emaravirus. Electron microscopy observations and protein analyses corresponded to presence of an emaravirus. Transmission experiments demonstrated that an eriophyid mite, Shevtchenkella sp. (family Eriophyidae), transmits PerMV with a minimum 30-min acquisition access period. Only plants belonging to the genus Perilla tested positive for PerMV, and the plant-virus-vector interactions were evaluated. The nucleotide sequences reported here are available in the DDBJ/ENA/GenBank databases under accession numbers LC496090 to LC496099.

<p class="Body"><strong>Two new species of acaricaline eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from India</strong></p><p class="Body"> </p>

Two new species of eriophyoid mites viz., Cymeda indica sp. nov. on Cyclosorus dentatus. (Thelypteridaceae) and Neoacaphyllisa alangia sp. nov. on Alangium sp. (Cornaceae) are described here from Darjeeling district of West Bengal and Guwahati district of Assam, India respectively. The new species belong to the family Eriophyidae, subfamily Phyllocoptinae and tribe Acaricalini. They are the second members in the respective genera.

Two new species of eriophyid mites (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Malaysia.

Two new species of the family Eriophyidae (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from Mount Trusmadi, Malaysia, are described and illustrated. They are Neodicrothrix grandcaputus sp. nov. on Stachyurus himalaicus (Stachyuraceae) and Latitudo asiaticis sp. nov. on Psychotria asiatica (Rubiaceae). Both of the two new species are vagrant on the lower leaf surface. No damage to the host was observed. In addition to the description, a key to species of Neodicrothrix is provided.

A new genus and three new species of eriophyoid mites from New Zealand Coprosma (Rubiaceae)

A new genus and three new species of eriophyoid mites of the family Eriophyidae are described and illustrated from various Coprosma species in New Zealand: Calareolata gen. nov., Calareolata coprosmae sp. nov., Cosetacus mamangi sp. nov. and Aculus robustalucidus sp. nov.. A key to the eriophyoid mites associated with Coprosma species in the world is provided.

A new genus and two new species of eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Malaysia

A new genus and two new species of the family Eriophyidae (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from Mountain Trusmadi, Malaysia are described and illustrated. They are Trusmadius acalypher gen. nov. and sp. nov. on Acalypha sp. (Euphorbiaceae) and Paraphytoptus lithocarpis sp. nov. on Lithocarpus uvariifolius (Hance) Rehder (Fagaceae). Both new species are vagrant on lower leaf surface. No damage to the host was observed.

An Intimate Relationship Between Eriophyoid Mites and Their Host Plants - A Review.

Eriophyoid mites (Acari Eriophyoidea) are phytophagous arthropods forming intimate relationships with their host plants. These mites are associated with annual and perennial plants including ferns, and are highly specialized with a dominant monophagy. They can be classified in different ecological classes, i.e., vagrant, gall-making and refuge-seeking species. Many of them are major pests and some of them are vectors of plant pathogens. This paper critically reviews the knowledge on eriophyoids of agricultural importance with emphasis on sources for host plant resistance to these mites. The role of species belonging to the family Eriophyidae as vectors of plant viruses is discussed. Eriophyoid-host plant interactions, the susceptibility within selected crops and main host plant tolerance/resistance mechanisms are discussed. Fundamental concepts, subjects, and problems emerged in this review are pointed out and studies are suggested to clarify some controversial points.

Exoskeletal transformations in Eriophyoidea: new pseudotagmic taxon Pseudotagmus africanus n. g. & n. sp. from South Africa and remarks on pseudotagmosis in eriophyoid mites

In addition to true tagmata, various pseudotagmata are present in chelicerates. Greatly miniaturized and morphologically simplified phytoparasitic acariform mites of the superfamily Eriophyoidea demonstrate a distinct ability to form pseudotagmata. The prodorsum and opisthosoma are the primary divisions of the eriophyoid body. In more evolutionary derived lineages, there is a trend towards the formation of additional opisthosomal subdivisions (pseudotagmata). These subdivisions are termed here “cervix”, “postprodorsum”, “pretelosoma”, “telosoma” and “thanosoma”. Among phytoptids, only the telosomal pseudotagma is present in several sierraphytoptine genera. In diptilomiopids, pseudotagmata have not been recorded. The most diverse examples of pseudotagmatization concern vagrant mites from the family Eriophyidae. Remarkably, well developed and unusually shaped pseudotagmata are peculiar to phyllocoptines from palms, especially in the new vagrant mite Pseudotagmus africanus n. g. & n. sp., found on leaves of Hyphaene coriacea (Arecaceae) in South Africa. Pseudotagmosis is one form of body consolidation in Eriophyoidea, reducing flexibility and therefore decreasing the ability for worm-like locomotion. Consequently, the legs become more important for locomotion. The other form of body consolidation is strengthening of the exoskeleton via armoring with microtubercles, and topographical changes (e.g. formation of opisthosomal ridges and furrows). The data at hand suggest that ancestrally, eriophyoids had an elongate body comprising many annuli, which can be regarded as pseudosegments. Later, they convergently evolved various pseudotagmata via the apparent fusion of these pseudosegments. Two morphotypes of vagrant mites (“armadillo” and “pangolin”) are proposed based on the difference in the modification of dorsal opisthosomal annuli. The minimal number of dorsal annuli (six) is equal to the number of dorso-longitudinal peripheral body muscles; however, this number is unlikely to reflect the true number of segments situated behind the prodorsum in Eriophyoidea. Although legs III and IV are absent in Eriophyoidea, the cervical pseudotagmata might be reminiscent of metapodosomal segments. Future comparative myo- and neuroanatomy studies of groups of genes involved in segmentation development are necessary to reach the final conclusion on the pattern of body segmentation in Eriophyoidea.

Eriophyoid Mites (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea) from Rosaceae: Taxonomic Diversity, Host-Parasite Relationships, and Ability to Cause Galls

A review on the complex of species of eriophyoid mites associated with Rosaceae is given, focused on the phylogeny, biology, and distribution of their host plants and galls induced by these mites. About 200 species of 39 genera from 3 families ofEriophyoidea are known from Rosaceae. Among them, 6 species from 2 genera belong to Phytoptidae, 178 species from 27 genera, to Eriophyidae, and 28 species from 10 genera, to Diptilomiopidae; 7 genera of the latter family are represented on Rosaceae by a single species each. The ability to induce galls is discussed using the example of the most widespread and numerous genera of the family Eriophyidae from Rosaceae. Mites of two large subfamilies, Eriophyinae and Phyllocoptinae, include both vagrant and concealed forms. The types of galls caused by mites are related to the systematic position of mites and the distribution of mites and their host plants. The hypothesis of host shifts of eriophyoid mites from other plant families to Rosaceae is considered. Most of the species which presumably switched to Rosaceae have been described from Southeast Asia. Morphological similarity between vagrant and concealed forms from the paraphyletic tribes Eriophyini and Phyllocoptini, and also Aceriini and Anthocoptini is discussed. Their pairwise similarity might be the result of evolution (Eriophyini → Phyllocoptini and Aceriini → Anthocoptini) connected with change oflife style.

Distribution, Field Recognition and Implications of Phytophagous Mite Species on Cynodon spp. (Bermudagrass) and Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyugrass) in Australia

In Australia, infestations of warm‐season turfgrasses by phytophagous mites have been known for >80 yr, but the identities of the mite species involved have remained unresolved. The long‐held underlying assumption among turf managers was that mites of the family Eriophyidae are responsible for the distorted growths frequently seen on Cynodon spp. (bermudagrasses) and Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov. (kikuyugrass). A national survey during the July 2010 to June 2011 growing season followed by further sampling over the next 6 yr revealed the presence of two eriophyoid mites: Aceria cynodoniensis Sayed, the bermudagrass mite found in the United States and other countries worldwide, and Abacarus cynodonis Abou‐Awad & Nasr, a species not previously recorded outside of the Middle East. The tenuipalpid species Dolichotetranychus australianus (Womersley) was also confirmed as a substantial contributor to mite damage symptoms seen on Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and C. dactylon × C. transvaalensis Burtt Davey. A newly described tarsonemid species, Steneotarsonemus hippodromus Seeman et al., was found extensively in both turf and pasture plantings of P. clandestinum. Additionally, grass‐webbing spider mites Oligonychus araneum Davis and Oligonychus digitatus Davis (Tetranychidae) also occasionally affect these and a wide range of other warm‐season grasses nonselectively in Australia. This paper describes the field and laboratory sampling procedures used to identify the various mites, document their associated field symptoms for diagnostic purposes, and determine their distribution within Australia. We also discuss the putative origin of each mite species, their international distribution (including some related species), and implications for warm‐season turf producers and facility managers, both in Australia and worldwide.

Preliminary assessment of mite infestations on warm-season turfgrasses in Australia

Phytophagous mites were first identified as a problem in warm-season turfgrasses in Australia around 80 years ago. In production turfgrass fields, slower growth and weakening of sod strength by mites can cause serious commercial losses through breakage of harvested rolls. Elsewhere, mite infestation is associated with poor wear resistance coupled with very slow recovery of turf on playing fields, thereby reducing the usage that is possible on such fields. At the same time, knowledge about turfgrass mites is lacking: specifically, which mite group/species is/are causing damage and to which turfgrass species. There has long been an underlying assumption, based mainly on overseas literature, that mites of the family Eriophyidae are the main cause of the distorted growth symptoms frequently seen and attributed to mite damage. During the 2010/11 growing season, an Australia-wide survey was conducted, sampling seven warm-season turfgrass genera to determine the mites present in each case. This paper reports the results of that survey, together with data from more recent mite infestations sampled during the subsequent threeyear period. Based on their frequency of occurrence, tenuipalpid mites from the genus Dolichotetranychus appear to be at least as important as eriophyoid mites on Cynodon spp.; Dolichotetranychus mites were also recorded from two survey samples of Zoysia spp. but not in subsequent sampling. Eriophyoid mites of the genus Aceria were found on Cynodon spp., with possibly a second species on Zoysia species. A number of mixed tenuipalpid/eriophyoid populations have also been found on Cynodon species. A Steneotarsonemus species (Tarsonemidae) was found associated with Pennisetum clandestinum. Grass-webbing tetranychid mites (Oligonychus spp.) also occasionally affect a wide range of warm-season turf and other grasses non-selectively.

Three new species of eriophyoid mites (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea) from Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) from Brazil, and remarks on the thorn-like spermathecal process

Abstract Three new vagrant species of eriophyoid mites living on the lower leaf surface of Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown (Verbenaceae) in the Northeast and Center West Brazil, are described and illustrated. They are: Paraphytoptus serenus sp. nov. and Tegoprionus alobus sp. nov. (both from family Eriophyidae) and Rhynacus lippius sp. nov. (Diptilomiopidae). Detailed anatomy of internal genitalia of the representatives of the three eriophyoid genera (Rhynacus, Paraphytoptus and Tegoprionus) was studied and described for the first time. A new, previously neglected genital structure of eriophyoids, the thorn-like spermathecal process, has been discovered with the aid of confocal laser scanning microscopy. Preliminary analysis indicates that this structure is common for many eriophyid and diptilomiopid species, however it is absent in phytoptid mites. The hypothesis that presence/absence of this process separate contemporary families of Eriophyoidea (Phytoptidae and Eriophyidae+Diptilomiopidae) needs furthe...