Mushroom Mite Research Articles

<p class="Body"><strong>Variation in size and shape of physogastry of <em>Dolichocybe perniciosa </em>(Acari: Dolichocybidae) </strong></p>

The formation of physogastry of the mushroom mite Dolichocybe perniciosa (Acari: Prostigmata: Dolichocybidae) has not been well understood. The shape and size of this mite vary dramatically. To evaluate the effects of environmental factors on the formation of physogastry we tested eight species of edible fungi hyphae, five temperatures and five humidity levels on the shape and size of physogastry. Dolichocybe perniciosa only fed on six species of edible fungi, Agaricus bisporus, Auricularia auricula-judae, Auricularia polytricha, Flammulina velutipes, Ganoderma lucidum and Lentinula edodes but failed to develop on the hyphae of Pleurotus geesteranus and Pleurotus eryngii. However, the six species of edible fungi had different effects on the formation and development of physogastry in D. perniciosa. The suitable temperature for the physogastric formation was from 18°C to 28°C at 75±5% RH, and the suitable humidity was from 22% to 92% at 25°C. The width of physogastries was less than 0.85 mm at five temperatures. The majority of physogastries were oblong or cylindrical under ideal temperature (25°C), but globular at a low temperature (13°C). The largest length and the highest length/width ratio were recorded at 25°C. The length and width of the physogastry were less than 4.0 mm and 0.8 mm, respectively, under tested humidity levels. The highest length/width ratio was 8.19 at 65% RH.

Temperature and humidity effects on physogastric development and reproduction of the mushroom mite Dolichocybe perniciosa (Acari: Dolichocybidae)

The effects of temperature and humidity on physogastric development and reproduction of the mushroom mite Dolichocybe perniciosa (Acari: Dolichocybidae) were observed at five temperatures (8, 13, 18, 25 and 28°C), five relative humidities (22, 55, 65, 81 and 92% RH) and dark condition. Temperatures significantly affected the settling time, pre-physogastry time, physogastry rate, generation time and the number of progenies in physogastry, while humidity had little effect on these factors. Settling rate of wondering adult females increased and pre-physogastry time shortened with the increase of temperature. In the range of 13°C to 28°C more than two thirds of wondering females settled within 72 hours which was significantly higher than that at 8°C. About 60 to 64 progenies were produced when temperature was above 18°C. Dolichocybe perniciosa had the ability to survive at temperatures as high as 38°C and as low as 0°C after 24 hours but failed to settle and feed at –20°C or 42°C. It was capable to recover after being treated at 0°C for 72 hours.

Influence of spatio-temporal resource availability on mushroom mite diversity

Although biodiversity in nature is of fundamental importance because it improves the sustainability of ecosystems, communities of microscopic organisms are generally excluded from conservation targets for biodiversity. Here, I hypothesize that mushroom mite species richness is correlated with both spatial (i.e., mushroom size) and temporal (i.e., longevity of fruiting bodies) resource availability. I collected fruiting bodies in an old-growth forest over 4 years to collect mites and insects inhabiting the mushrooms. Mites were collected from 47 % of the fruiting bodies and approximately 60 % of the mite species were collected only once. Mite species richness was significantly correlated with the availability of long-lasting fruiting bodies. For example, bracket fungi contained more mite species than ephemeral fruiting bodies. Insect presence was also correlated with mushroom mite richness, probably as phoretic hosts and food resources for predacious mites. On the other hand, mushroom size seemed to be less important; small fruiting bodies sometimes harbored several mite species. Although mite species richness was correlated with mushroom species richness, mushroom specificity by mites was not clear except for a preference for long-lasting fruiting bodies. Therefore, I suggest that a constant supply of coarse woody debris is crucial for maintaining preferred resources for mushroom mites (e.g., bracket fungi) and their associated insects (mycophilous and possibly saproxylic insects).

Acaricidal activities of whole cell suspension, cell-free supernatant, and crude cell extract of Xenorhabdus stokiae against mushroom mite (Luciaphorus sp.).

Xenorhabdus bacterium has been used as a biological control agent against Luciaphorus sp., a mushroom mite endemic in Thailand. To develop an effective formulation of Xenorhabdus stokiae, treatments using different parts of X. stokiae isolate PB09 culture, including whole cell suspension, cell-free supernatant, and crude cell extract, were performed. The results show that different parts of X. stokiae isolate PB09 culture could induce variable effects on mite mortality and fecundity. Application with cell-free supernatant of X. stokiae culture resulted in both the highest mite mortality rate [(89.00±3.60)%] and the lowest mite fecundity [(41.33±23.69) eggs/gravid female]. Whole cell suspension of X. stokiae isolate PB09 culture was found to be slightly less effective than its cell-free supernatant, suggesting that X. stokiae was more likely to release its metabolites with acaricidal activities to the surrounding culture media. Crude cell extract of X. stokiae was not effective against mites. Cell-free supernatant of X. stokiae isolate PB09 was the most effective biological control agent and it could be conveniently used in future formulations instead of live bacteria.

Effect of Crude Plant Extracts on Mushroom Mite,Luciaphorussp. (Acari: Pygmephoridae)

The use of plant extracts for controlling agricultural pests has become increasingly popular in the recent years. Mushroom mite,Luciaphorussp., is a destructive pest of several mushroom species and has been reported to cause severe loss of mushroom cultivation in many settings. The efficacies of 23 rhizome and leaf extracts were evaluated against female adults ofLuciaphorussp. At 3 days after treatment, the rhizome extracts derived fromCurcuma xanthorrhizaRoxb. andZingiber montanum(Koenig) Link ex Dietr. were found to have very strong acaricidal activities, resulting in 100% mite mortality, followed byCurcuma longaLinn. (98.89%),Zingiber zerumbet(L.) Smith. (97.78%),Kaempferia parvifloraWall. Ex Baker (88.89%), andZingiber officinaleRoscoe. (84.44%). The leaf extracts ofOcimum sanctumLinn. andMelissa officinalisL. also resulted in 100% mite mortality 3 days after treatment, while the other leaf extracts induced mite mortality only below 70%. The results suggested that rhizome extracts ofC. xanthorrhizaandZ. montanumand leaf extracts ofO. sanctumandM. officinalishave a great potential for future development as natural acaricides for controllingLuciaphorussp.

Genetic diversity of mushroom mite (Luciaphorus sp.) infesting cultivated mushrooms in the Northeast of Thailand

Weed competition is a major constraint in rice production systems in Africa. This study was conducted at the Africa Rice Experimental Station in Benin in the dry and rainy seasons to screen rice varieties for weed competitiveness. The experimental design was a split plot with 14 contrasting cultivars (including the Oryza glaberrima and Oryza sativa parents of upland New Rice for Africa (NERICA), lowland NERICA or “promising lines”) planted under three weeding regimes: 0, 1 and 4 weedings. Agro-morphological characters, growth indexes and weeds were used to evaluate the cultivars. The most important weed species encountered were Acanthospermum hispidum, Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Digitaria horizontalis. Highly significant differences (P£0.0001) between cultivars were observed in weed biomass. The impact of weeds on agro-morphological traits was expressed through an increasing senescence of plants in relation to the weeding regime. Weed-competitive cultivars typically showed a leaf area index less than 3, a high specific leaf area and a Soil-Plant Analyses Development (SPAD) unit less than 30. High affinities between traits were observed and three types of descriptors were identified based on their broad sense heritability. CG20, an O. glaberrima variety was the most competitive against weeds. Key words: Rice, descriptor, weed, competitive variety, heritability.

Pathogenicity of additional strains of Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus (Enterobacteriaceae) to the mushroom mite Luciaphorus perniciosus (Acari: Pygmephoridae)

The pathogenicity of six strains of the entomopathogenic bacteria Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus, symbiotically associated with the entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis and Steinernema, respectively, to the mushroom mite, Luciaphorus perniciosus was studied. Bacterial cultures of the Thai strain Xenorhabdus nematophila (X1) and the imported strain Photorhabdus luminescens (P1), containing 1 × 10 8 cells/ml, showed the highest virulence to the female mite, resulting in 85 and 83% mortality within 3 days after application, respectively. The fecundity of the surviving L. perniciosus was also significantly reduced by the X nematophila (X1) strain. These results demonstrate the potential of X. nematophila (X1) to control the mushroom mite.

Toxicity of the entomopathogenic bacteria Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus to the mushroom mite (Luciaphorus sp.; Acari: Pygmephoridae)

The mushroom mite, Luciaphorus sp. is a serious pest of tropical mushrooms. We determined the pathogenicity and toxicity of species and strains of the entomopathogenic bacteria, Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus to the mite. As these bacteria are known to produce antifungal substances, we first determined the effect of 21 species and strains of the bacteria on the mycelial growth of the mushroom, Lentinus squarrosulus. We then determined the toxicity of the eight species and strains of bacteria that did not show any effect on mushroom growth against both the female and male mites. All eight species and strains of the bacteria were toxic to the female mite resulting in significant mite mortality within 24–48 h. Cell-free supernatants from all the eight bacterial species and strains were also toxic to the female mite inflicting significant mortality within 24–48 h. The supernatants of two strains, GPS12 and GPS11, of Photorhabdus luminescens ssp. laumondii were significantly more toxic than the other species and strains to the female mite, resulting in 90–95% mite mortality within 48 h. Both the concentration and age of the bacteria had significant effect on the toxicity of the supernatants to the female mite. None of the bacteria showed toxicity to the male mite which has undeveloped mouthparts. These results indicate that P. luminescens ssp. laumondii and its byproducts are directly toxic to the female mite, suggesting the potential of developing a novel biological approach for the control of this mushroom pest. This is the first report on the miticidal activity of the entomopathogenic bacteria, Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus.

Feeding and Reproduction of the Grain and the Mushroom Mite on Wood-Inhabiting Hymenomycetes1

The nutritional adequacy of each of 39 species of wood-rotting Hymenomycetes cultured on potato-sucrose agar as food for the grain mite, Acarus siro L., and the mushroom mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Shrank), was assessed. Polyporus adustus Wild. ex Fr., Poria monticule Murr., P. rixosa (Karts.) Karts ., Stereum chaillettii (Pers.) Fr., Flammula gummosa (Lasch.) Fr., and F. carbonaria Fr. were the most favorable diets, and Fames Subroseus Weir and Poria subacida (Pk.) Sacc, the least favorable diets as determined by feeding, egg laying, and reproduction of both mite species. T. putrescentiae was a more efficient fungi ore than A. siro . The host range, decay type, and habitats of each fungal species and the possible ecological significance of the interaction between individual species of mites and fungi in forest ecosystems are discussed.

Susceptibility of the Mushroom Mite to Phosphine and Ethylene Dibromide12

Adult and immature Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) were susceptible to ethylene dibromide (EDB); 0.6 mg/ liter caused 50% mortality at 26.1°C with an exposure period of 5 hours. Eggs 0 to 24 hours old were very resistant to EDB; 52 mg/liter caused 50% mortality with a 5 hour exposure period. Adult and immature mites were resistant to phosphine; 21-hour exposure to 8 mg/liter at 23.9°C caused 50% mortality.

Feeding and Reproduction of the Grain Mite and the Mushroom Mite on Some Species of Penicillium1

Two stored-product mites were exposed, at 21±1 °C and 75±2% relative humidity, to 10 species of Penicillium cultured on potato-dextrose-agar slants. P. cyclopium Westling was the most favorable and P. implicatum Biourge the least favorable diet for feeding and reproduction of both mites. Generally, both species of mites bred successfully on those fungal cultures on which they fed well. The mushroom mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) was the more efficient fungivore; the numbers of times the grain mite, Acarus siro L., and T. putrescentiae increased in 1 month on each species on Penicillium were: P. canescens Sopp – 13, 117; P. chrysogenum Thom – 7, 219; P. herquei Bainier & Sartory – 15, 244; P. frequentans Westling – 4, 115; P. lilacinum Thom – 0, 55; P. cyclopium – 33, 517; P. spinulosum Thom – 5, 151; P. thomii Maire – 11, 156; P. implicatum − 0, 0.

Effectiveness of Malathion Against Four Species of Mites that Inhabit Stored Grain1

Responses of the mushroom mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank); Aeroglyphus robustus (Banks); Glycyphagus domestiells (De Geer); and Blattisocius Keegani (Fox) to malathion were examined. Time required to obtain 50% kill varied inversely with temperature for all species, and for T. putreseentiae , the most tolerant of the species tested, it was equal to 0.3 of the time required for hatch lings to become adults.

Climate and Potential Range of Distribution of Stored-Product Mites in Japan1

The relationship between the mean monthly normal temperatures at 116 locations representing all parts of Japan and the minimum temperature threshold for breeding was determined theoretically for major species of stored-product mites. The monthly mean temperature of 10 or higher in unheated storages was considered minimum for the development and reproduction of the mites. From these relationships the number of months when such storages would have temperatures suitable for the breeding of mites was calculated for various regions of Japan. Thus Japan was divided into 4 zones in which the temperature was above 10°C for 9-12, 7-8, 5-6, and 4 months. Although most regions of the country were considered to be vulnerable to infestation by some species of mites, Kanto, parts of Chubu, Kinki, Chugaku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa district, and other islands in south Japan where the mean monthly temperature exceeds 10°C for 7-12 months were predicted to be most suitable for the breeding of storage mites. The most important storage mite in Japan, the mushroom mite, Tyraphagus putrescentiae (Schrank), is likely to infest granaries and warehouses throughout Japan except Hokkaido. Glycyphagus destructor (Schrank) is predicted to be common in Kinki district and the Seto Inland Sea area although it could infest grain and food in Hokkaido and Honshu. Cheyletus spp. are likely to have a distribution similar to that of T. putrescentiae and G. destructor. The species requiring extremely high moisture, such as Caloglyphus bertesei (Michael), Lardoglyphus konoi (Sasha & Alabama), and Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Troupeau) are expected to thrive in the hot and humid southern half of Kyushu, southern coastal areas of Shikoku and Kinki districts, and Okinawa, where the mean monthly temperatures remain above 10°C for 9-12 months. The ranges of distribution have been estimated for other major mite pests of stored products.

Experimental Basis for Estimating Insecticides and Acaricides by Comparative Bioassay1

Mortality patterns based on the LD50 dosage for each of four organisms (vinegar fly ( Drosophila melanogaster Meigen), rusty grain beetle ( Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens)), mushroom mite ( Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank)), and brine shrimp ( Artemia salina (Leach)) were obtained for 31 highly purified insecticides and acaricides. Eight of the compounds were clearly separable. Rather characteristic patterns were obtained for four others, and three pairs are indistinguishable. The remaining toxicants can be distinguished when the appropriate LD50 is used as a base dosage. Group toxicity characteristics were noted for the eyclodiene compounds and lindane, for several organophosphorus compounds, and for specific acaricides. Various problems to be encountered in practical residue analyses are speculated upon.

Toxicity of Dibrom Vapors to Greenhouse Insects1

The application of liquid concentrates containing Dibrom® (1,2-dibromo-2,2-diehloroethyl dimethyl phosphate) to heating pipes in greenhouses resulted in good control of greenhouse white fly ( Trialeurodes raporariorum (Westwood)), potato aphid ( Maerosiphum enphorbiae (Thomas)), two-spotted spider mite ( Tetranychus telarius (L.)), and other pests on bearing tomatoes. Good control or green peach aphid ( Myzus persicae (Sulzer)) on several types of vegetable and annual flowering plants was also obtained. Mushroom mite ( Tyrophayus putrescentiae (Schrank)) was not satisfactorily controlled by Dibrom vapor treatments. Dibrom vapor treatments killed insects and mites in all parts of the greenhouse with no lingering residue problems.

Factors Relating to the Control of the Mushroom Mite, Histiostoma Gracilipes Banks1

Journal Article Factors Relating to the Control of the Mushroom Mite, Histiostoma Gracilipes Banks Get access C. C. Compton C. C. Compton State Natural History Surlley Division, Urbana, Ill. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 28, Issue 2, 1 April 1935, Pages 465–468, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/28.2.465 Published: 01 April 1935