Genus Neoseiulus Research Articles

New species and new records of the family Phytoseiidae Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Saudi Arabia

A new species of the genus Neoseiulus Hughes (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), belonging to the paspalivorus species group, N. arabicus sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on females. Two species are reported as new to the mite fauna of Saudi Arabia—Kuzinellus blairi (McMurtry & Moraes) and Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) transvaalensis (Nesbitt). A key to the species in the transvaalensis species group of Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) is also provided.

Measurement of Fitness and Predatory Ability of Four Predatory Mite Species in Tibetan Plateau under Laboratory Conditions.

Predatory mites are biological control agents used in many countries against various vegetable pests, particularly spider mites. Despite the significant presence of predatory mites in the Tibetan plateau, there is limited research on their potential against spider mites in the area. This study investigated the fitness parameters and performance against TSSM of four predatory, including Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and three species from the genus Neoseiulus (Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans)), originally collected from fields in the Tibetan Plateau. Compared to the other three predatory species, A. swirskii exhibited the highest fecundity (11.60 ± 0.34) and the highest pre-adult survival rate (83.33 ± 3.33%). Since their juvenile survival rate (SR) was extremely low (13.33% ± 5.77%), most N. barkeri nymphs died before emergence. Compared to the other three predatory mites, A. swirskii showed the highest predation capacity against adult TSSMs at 15 d post-release (14.28 ± 2.24). Based on the results, A. swirskii was the most effective, and N. barkeri was the least effective in controlling two-spotted mites in the Tibetan Plateau among the four species tested in this study. Collectively, these findings imply notable advantages in employing A. swirskii for controlling two-spotted mites in the Tibetan Plateau. This study informs the development of a feasible biological control method based on suitable predatory mite species to manage TSSMs in the Tibetan Plateau.

A new species of Neoseiulus Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Karnataka, India with an identification key to Indian species of the genus

Neoseiulus ramabettaensis n. sp. Döker and Jose is described based on specimens collected from Karnataka, India. The new species is accommodated to the cucumeris species group and ceratoni species subgroup in the genus Neoseiulus Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The morphological characters including conspicuously longer setae j1 and j3, in addition to Z4 and Z5, chelicera dentition, wider ventrianal shield at anterior corners, large crescentic preanal pores, absence of macroseta on legs II-IV, and presence of macroseta on genu I distinguished the new species from its congeners in the ceratoni species subgroup. The current study describes a macroseta on leg I (SgeI) for a species listed in the ceratoni species subgroup for the first time. Indeed, the presence of SgeI, and the absence of macroseta on leg IV are unusual characters for the genus Neoseiulus, except SgeI present in a few species in Neoseiulus desertus species group. Therefore, chaetotaxy of legs frequently used in the systematics of other groups of Mesostigmata which are closely related to the phytoseiid mites, seems to be an important morphological character and should be included in future descriptions. In addition, we constructed an identification key for the Indian species of the genus.

The Genus Neoseiulus Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Shanxi, China.

The genus Neoseiulus in Shanxi Province is reviewed and seven species are recorded from the province. Four of these are redescribed and detailed taxonomic information are provided. Neoseiulus paraki (Ehara) is recorded for the first time in China and Neoseiulus neoreticuloides (Liang and Hu) is considered a new junior synonym of Neoseiulus bicaudus (Wainstein). Additionally, a diagnostic key to the known species of Neoseiulus in Shanxi is provided.

The effect of spider mite-pathogenic strains of Beauveria bassiana and humidity on the survival and feeding behavior of Neoseiulus predatory mite species

Predatory mites and invertebrate-pathogenic fungi have been used as biological control agents in a complementary way to suppress two-spotted spider mite (TSM) populations, which are a key pest of horticultural crops worldwide. However, their performance can be lowered by both biotic (e.g., intraguild interactions) and abiotic stress (especially relative humidity - RH). The present study evaluated the susceptibility of three predatory phytoseiid mite species in the genus Neoseiulus – N. californicus, N. idaeus, and N. barkeri – to infection by selected spider mite-pathogenic Beauveria bassiana strains as well as their predation capacity and resilience under simulated drought conditions. The two selected B. bassiana strains induced TSM mortality above 70 %. All three Neoseiulus mite species also showed susceptibility to both strains; however, N. barkeri was less susceptible to fungal infections than the other Neoseiulus species (with mortality < 65 % and without reduction of oviposition). All three Neoseiulus species were negatively affected by low RH conditions. Neoseiulus barkeri was the most affected with a drastic reduction in TSM egg consumption (about 40 %) and preventing the deposition of eggs by females. The egg consumption by N. californicus and N. idaeus was not affected by low RH conditions; however, both predatory mites reduced the number of eggs laid per female. Thus, the efficiency of the conversion of food into egg biomass for all three Neoseiulus species decreased under low RH conditions, dropping to zero for N. barkeri. We showed that the simultaneous use of B. bassiana and Neoseiulus had a detrimental effect on predatory mite survival and progeny, indicating the need for further development of new strategies which combine these biological control agents.

Potential worldwide distributions of Neoseiulus californicus and Neoseiulus idaeus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) determined by climatic modelling

ABSTRACT Predatory mites belonging to the family Phytoseiidae are the main agents used globally for the biological control of pest mites, especially predators of the genus Neoseiulus, particularly Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Neoseiulus idaeus (Denmark & Muma). A major target is the ubiquitous mite Tetranychus urticae (Koch). A major factor limiting the effectiveness of natural enemies in biological control programmes is unfavourable climatic conditions at the release site. This study aimed to determine the climatic envelopes of N. californicus and N. idaeus to predict the geographical areas with the highest climatic suitability of each species where its efficacy as a biological control agent would be maximized. Site occurrence data and the associated environmental variables were obtained from pre-existing spatial information found in online databases. These data were analysed using the MaxEnt software to map the geographic areas worldwide most suitable for each species. The climate suitability for N. californicus was especially limited by conditions of high temperature, while limiting factors for N. idaeus were annual variation in temperatures and low annual precipitation. Suitable areas for N. californicus were observed in all five continents, concentrated in latitudes close to the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. In relation to N. idaeus, suitable areas were observed on four continents and are concentrated in countries close to the Equator, particularly those in the southern hemisphere. N. californicus and N. idaeus have distinct climate suitability areas. The results may be helpful for selecting the predator species for introduction.

New records and complementary descriptions of three Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) species from Turkey

ABSTRACT Three species of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman and McGregor), Neoseiulus fauveli (Athias-Henriot), and Typhlodromips sessor (De Leon), are reported for the first time from Turkey. The newly recorded species are redescribed and illustrated based on material collected from poplar trees, Populus spp. (Salicaceae), in Samsun Province on the Black Sea coast. Amblydromalus limonicus and T. sessor are mainly known from the Americas and are unexpected findings on poplar trees, as well as in the Turkish fauna. The third species, Neoseiulus fauveli, is known only from its original description from France. However, important morphological features, including dorsal setae lengths, cheliceral dentition, measurements, and the shape of macrosetae on legs, that are currently used to discriminate phytoseiid species, were missing in its original description. The presence of N. fauveli on Populus nigra L. in the present study is not surprising as many other species in the desertus species group of the genus Neoseiulus have been reported from species of Populus.

The genus Neoseiulus Hughes (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) in the Espinhao Range, a great reservoir of biodiversity in Brazil.

Several surveys were conducted between 2010 and 2012 in the Brazilian range Serra do Espinhao, a highly biodiverse region extending more than 1000 km in the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais. We report in this paper eight species of the genus Neoseiulus Hughes collected on natural, non-cultivated, vegetation. Two of these species are described, illustrated and proposed as new taxa, N. cipoensis sp. nov. and N. diamantinus sp. nov. New morphological information as well as host-plants and geographical distribution are provided for six additional species, N. benjamini (Schicha), N. californicus (McGregor), N. goiano Demite, Cavalcante Lofego, N. idaeus Denmark Muma, N. melinis Lofego Moraes, and N. tunus (De Leon).

&lt;p class="Body"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Redescriptions of two little known species of &lt;em&gt;Neoseiulus&lt;/em&gt; Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) with description of a new species from Russia&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Two little known species of the genus Neoseiulus Hughes, N. plantagenis (Kolodochka) and N. tervus Meshkov are redescribed based on the specimens collected from grass-soil in North Caucasus, and Tyumen province, Russia, respectively. In addition, Neoseiulus caucasicus Döker &amp; Khaustov sp. nov. is described based on the adult females which were also collected from grass-soil in North Caucasus, Russia.

&lt;p class="Body"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Neoseiulus cunhaensis&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; sp. nov. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) from Tristan da Cunha&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;with a key to the &lt;em&gt;paspalivorus&lt;/em&gt; species group&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

A new species of the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata), Neoseiulus cunhaensis Döker &amp; Ueckermann sp. nov. is described from female specimens. In addition, a key to the species of the paspalivorus species group in the genus Neoseiulus Hughes is presented.

A NEW RECORD AND A REDESCRIPTION OF TYPHLODROMIPS MONTANUS (WAINSTEIN, 1962) COMB. N. (ACARI: PHYTOSEIIDAE) FROM THE ALTAI REPUBLIC, RUSSIA

Typhlodromips montanus (Wainstein) comb. n. (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is reported for the first time from Russia. It is redescribed and illustrated based on female and male specimens collected from the Altai Republic, Russia. This species was previously placed in the genus Neoseiulus Hughes. However, it fits well with the current concept of the genus Typhlodromips De Leon, due to the combination of: the presence of macrosetae on GeII, GeIII and TiIII, and fixed digit of chelicera with more than six teeth.

Neoseiulus cinctutus (Livshitz &amp; Kuznetsov)’un Türkiye için ilk kaydı ile Türkiye’de Neoseiulus Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) cinsi türlerinin tanı anahtarı

Neoseiulus cinctutus (Livshitz &amp;amp; Kuznetsov) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is reported for the first time for the Turkish fauna. This species is re-described and illustrated based on female specimens collected from Verbascum sp. (Scrophulariaceae) in Buldan municipality, Denizli Province. In addition, an identification key for species of the genus Neoseiulus Hughes found in Turkey is provided. This species is morphologically close to N. marginatus (Wainstein) and N. neomarginatus Stathakis, Kapaxidi &amp;amp; Papadoulis, known from the Turkish fauna. However, it is different by having a smooth movable digit as opposed to one tooth on the latter two species.

Two new Species of the Genus Neoseiulus (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) With Redescriptions of N. Bicaudus and N. Micmac Based on Holotypes

Abstract Phytoseiid mites of the genus Neoseiulus (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae), N. brachychaetus Kolodochka, sp. n. and N. akimovi Kolodochka, sp. n. from Georgia and Russia are described. Re-examination of the holotypes of N. bicaudus (Wainstein, 1962) and N. micmac (Chant &amp; Hansell, 1971) revealed new characters for diff erentiation between similar species were found and proposed. Th e name N. micmac (Chant &amp; Hansell, 1971) restored from synonymy here. A key to species similar to Neoseoiulus bicaudus is given.

Two new species of the Phytoseiid genus Neoseiulus (Acari: Mesostigmata) from steppe zone of Ukraine

Two new species of phytoseiid mites of the genus Neoseiulus (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Steppe zone of Ukraine are described. Detailed descriptions, drawings, measurements, diagnosis of the new species, and the data of mite locations are given.

A new species of predaceous mite of the genus Neoseiulus Hughes (Acari, Phytoseiidae), with redescriptions of N. magnanalis (Thor) andN. ellesmerei (Chant & Hansell), from Svalbard, High Arctic.

A new species of phytoseiid mite of the genus Neoseiulus (Acari, Phytoseiidae) found in Svalbard is described and illustrated. Redescriptions, drawings, measurements, and diagnosis of two related species, N. magnanalis (Thor) and N. ellesmerei (Chant & Hansell) are given. A neotype is designated for N. magnanalis.

Two new species of the genus &lt;i&gt;Neoseiulus&lt;/i&gt; Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Greece with re-description of &lt;i&gt;Neoseiulus leucophaeus&lt;/i&gt; (Athias-Henriot)

Two new species, Neoseiulus elisiensis n. sp. and Neoseiulus neomarginatus n. sp., are described from Greece. Neoseiulus leucophaeus (Athias-Henriot) is re-described and illustrated based on specimens collected on Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl. A key to all species of the genus Neoseiulus Hughes reported from Greece is provided.

The concept of genus within the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Parasitiformes): historical review and phylogenetic analyses of the genus Neoseiulus Hughes

Systematic studies on the family Phytoseiidae were first conducted at the beginning of the 20th century but increased greatly after the Second World War. Various classifications have been proposed based on different characters such as: dorsal, ventral, and leg chaetotaxy; the shape of ventrianal and sternal shields; the shape of the insemination apparatus (spermatheca) and spermatodactylus; the number of teeth on the movable digit of chelicera; and dorsal and ventral adenotaxy. The genus concepts developed over the last five decades can be divided into two main categories or hypotheses. The first, supported mainly by Chant and McMurtry, focuses on dorsal and ventral chaetotaxy, and the genera so defined usually include a great number of species. The second category, proposed by Athias-Henriot, considers the shape of the insemination apparatus as the key character, and the genera so defined usually include a limited number of species. From a diagnostic point of view, both classifications have a valid structure, but the question investigated herein was: which of the two classifications or hypotheses fits phylogenetic evolution? To answer this, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses (using the genes ITS and 12S rRNA) on the genus Neoseiulus, which has been subjected to classification based on the two main genus concepts. The results showed that the first hypothesis (Chant and McMurtry) leads to polyphyly of the genus Neoseiulus, while the second (Athias-Henriot) leads to paraphyly of the genus. The results show that acarologists who first decided that the insemination apparatus was of evolutive importance could be correct as the shape of the insemination apparatus seems to better fit evolutive clades than dorsal and ventral chaetotaxy. The morphology of this organ, however, must be more accurately studied to better define homologies. The present paper investigates the two main hypotheses proposed until now for classification of Phytoseiidae and thereby opens the way for improved classification. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 165, 253–273.

Mites of the family Phytoseiidae Berlese from Kenya (Acari: Mesostigmata)

We surveyed the phytoseiid mites in four different geographical zones of Kenya: Zone I, upper highland and tropical alpine (2400–4400m); Zone II, lower highland (1800–2400 m); Zone III, midland (800–1800 m); Zone IV, tropical, hot and humid (0–800 m). A total of 107 species was found. In the subfamily Amblyseiinae there were 14 species in the genus Neoseiulus Hughes, one in Asperoseius Chant, one in Paraphytoseius Swirski &amp; Schechter, five in Typhlodromips De Leon, five in Transeius Chant &amp; McMurtry, one in Graminaseius Chant &amp; McMurtry, 11 in Amblyseius Berlese, one in Arrenoseius Wainstein, two in Typhlodromalus Muma, seven in Ueckermannseius Chant &amp; McMurtry, one in Amblydromalus Chant &amp; McMurtry, 20 in Euseius Wainstein, one in Iphiseius Berlese, one in Phytoseiulus Evans and one in Gynaeseius Ehara &amp; Imano. In the subfamily Phytoseiinae Berlese, there were four species in the genus Phytoseius Ribaga. In the subfamily Typhlodrominae Wainstein, there were four species in the genus Kuzinellus Wainstein, and 27 in Typhlodromus Scheuten.

Description of an Unrecorded Phytoseiid Mite, Neoseiulus harrowi (Collyer), from Japanese Spinach Greenhouses

A 2008-2010 survey of mite fauna in spinach greenhouses found 24 females of a phytoseiid mite species of the genus Neoseiulus in soil and spinach sprouts. This species was identified as N. harrowi (Collyer), described originally in New Zealand and Australia and new to Japan. This species is the fourth member of the N. barkeri species group among Japanese phytoseiid fauna, and was given the Japanese name ‘hourensou-kaburidani’. The species was observed associating with a spinach-damaging mite, Tyrophagus similis Volgin, in the greenhouse. The present paper describes the habitat of N. harrowi and presents a simple method of distinguishing it from the three other domestic species of the N. barkeri group (N. barkeri Hughes, N. makuwa (Ehara), N. womersleyi (Schicha)).

Winter Annual Cover Crop Has Only Minor Effects on Major Corn Arthropod Pests

We studied the effects of downy brome, Bromus tectorum L., winter cover crop on several corn, Zea mays L., pests in the summer crop after the cover crop. An experiment was conducted that consisted of two trials with two levels of irrigation, two levels of weed control, and two levels of downy brome. Corn was grown three consecutive years after the downy brome grown during the winter. Banks grass mites, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), twospotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and predatory mites from the genus Neoseiulus were present in downy brome at the beginning of the growing season. They moved into corn, but their numbers did not differ significantly across the treatments. Larval western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, feeding on corn roots was evaluated the second and third years of corn, production. Irrigation and herbicide treatments had no significant effects on rootworm injury levels. In one trial, rootworm injury ratings were significantly greater in treatments with a history of high versus low brome, but this effect was not significant in the other trial. Rootworm injury seemed to be similar across plots with different surface soil moistures. This suggests that the use of a winter cover crop such as downy brome will not have a major negative impact the arthropods studied.