Rust Mite Research Articles

Dual protection: A tydeoid mite effectively controls both a problem pest and a key pathogen in tomato.

The tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici, and powdery mildew (PM), Oidium neolycopersici, are two major problems in tomato cultivation for which no effective biocontrol solutions exist to date. In a greenhouse compartment, we investigated the potential of preventatively establishing the iolinid omnivorous mite Pronematus ubiquitus on potted tomato plants to control both pest and pathogen simultaneously. Using Typha pollen, P. ubiquitus established well on tomato plants, with numbers reaching up to 250 motiles per tomato leaflet. The built-up population was capable of controlling subsequent infestations with both TRM and PM. This represents the first report of an arthropod protecting a crop against pests as well as disease. The implementation of P. ubiquitus in tomato crops could be a real game-changer as it eliminates the need for repeated pesticide use or sulphur applications. The finding that arthropods can effectively control diseases opens up new opportunities for biological crop protection. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Hitchhiking or hang gliding? Dispersal strategies of two cereal-feeding eriophyoid mite species

Dispersal shapes the dynamics of populations, their genetic structure and species distribution; therefore, knowledge of an organisms’ dispersal abilities is crucial, especially in economically important and invasive species. In this study, we investigated dispersal strategies of two phytophagous eriophyoid mite species: Aceria tosichella (wheat curl mite, WCM) and Abacarus hystrix (cereal rust mite, CRM). Both species are obligatory plant parasites that infest cereals and are of economic significance. We investigated their dispersal success using different dispersal agents: wind and vectors. We hypothesised that in both mite species the main mode of dispersal is moving via wind, whereas phoretic dispersal is rather accidental, as the majority of eriophyoid mite species do not possess clear morphological or behavioural adaptations for phoresy. Results confirmed our predictions that both species dispersed mainly with wind currents. Additionally, WCM was found to have a higher dispersal success than CRM. Thus, this study contributes to our understanding of the high invasive potential of WCM.

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.

Ecological studies of some tomato hybrids mites at Fayoum governorate and biological aspects of tomato russet mite aculops lycopersici (massee)

Ecological studies of some tomato hybrids mites at Fayoum governorate and biological aspects of tomato russet mite aculops lycopersici (massee)

First record of Phyllocoptruta musae (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyidae) in the Neotropics, in Hispaniola

The banana rust mite, Phyllocoptruta musae Keifer, is reported for the first time from the Neotropics, in the Dominican Republic. The current known distribution of this pest is provided. Comparisons are made to other Neotropical species of Phyllocoptruta genus, and descriptions with photos are provided of the injury to plants.

Propagule pressure rather than population growth determines colonisation ability: a case study using two phytophagous mite species differing in their invasive potential

1. Colonisation, i.e. the establishment of dispersed individuals in an unoccupied area, is a fundamental biological process that drives the distribution and range dynamics of organisms. It is crucial to understand the basic mechanisms of colonisation, especially in invasive species.2. In this study, we investigated the importance of dispersal success (the proportion of settlers and founders) and intrinsic population growth rate for colonisation ability in phytophagous mites that spread both passively and actively. We performed laboratory experiments using two eriophyid mite species:Aceria tosichella[wheat curl mite (WCM)] andAbacarus hystrix[cereal rust mite (CRM)]. These are obligate herbivores of economic importance because they feed on cereal plants, including wheat.3. To test the colonisation ability of WCM and CRM on wheat when dispersed actively by walking and passively when blown by air currents, we estimated the number of individuals that established new populations after dispersal and calculated the intrinsic population growth rate (r) for both species.4. WCM had a higher colonisation ability on wheat than CRM. This resulted from the higher dispersal success of WCM; however, the two species did not differ inr. This pattern was consistent for both dispersal modes. Moreover, both species had higher colonisation success when dispersing actively, albeit with a very limited spatial range.5. These results underline the role of successful dispersal in the colonisation ability of species. The knowledge of the colonisation process of WCM and CRM is important for understanding their invasiveness and for predicting their potential geographical distributions.

Erythritol, an Artificial Sweetener, Is Acaricidal Against Pest Mites and Minimally Harmful to a Predatory Mite.

Erythritol, an artificial sweetener, has shown promise as an organic, human-safe insecticide. Recently, erythritol applications were shown to be successful at controlling pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola (Förster)) (Hempitera: Psyllidae), the most important pest of pear in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) and pear rust mite (Epitrimerus pyri (Nalepa)) (Trombidiformes: Eriophyidae) can also be highly damaging pear pests. Their common natural enemy, Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), can provide biological control if selective pesticides are used for managing other pests. Through a series of bioassays, we sought to determine whether erythritol could also be used for controlling either species of pest mite. We also examined whether erythritol had acute or sublethal impacts on G. occidentalis, through a variety of exposure methods. Effects examined included mortality, fecundity, prey consumption, and locomotion. We determined that a high concentration of erythritol (30%) had efficacy against both pest mite species and caused arresting behavior in twospotted spider mite. Erythritol caused little acute mortality in G. occidentalis, but did reduce fecundity and prey consumption through some exposure methods. Through motion-capture software, we determined that this is primarily due to reduced movement, likely caused by difficulty walking on residues and excessive grooming behavior. Because the predatory mite non-target effects were less acute than those for the two pest mites, we concluded that erythritol could likely be integrated into pear IPM with little or no disruption of mite biological control.

Color analysis of rust symptoms caused by shiso rust mites

Color analysis of rust symptoms caused by shiso rust mites

A Survey of the Arthropod Fauna Associated with Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Grown in Eastern Colorado

Industrial hemp was found to support a diverse complex of arthropods in surveys of fields in eastern Colorado. In 2016-2018, surveys of industrial hemp in eight eastern Colorado counties, eighty families of arthropods were collected, primary taxa in the orders Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hemiptera. The arthropods collected from hemp included herbivores, natural enemies, pollen feeders, and incidental species. Hemp cultivars grown for seed and fiber had higher insect species richness compared to hemp grown for cannabidiol (CBD). Species that were observed to cause economic damage included: corn earworm, (Helicoverpa zea Boddie), hemp russet mite (Aculops cannibicola Farkas), cannabis aphid (Phorodon cannabis Passerini), and Eurasian hemp borer (Grapholita delineana Walker). In addition, serious damage to hemp plants was observed by grasshoppers, particularly the twostriped grasshopper, Melanoplus bivittatus Say, and the differential grasshopper, M. differentialis Thomas. This survey serves as the first checklist of arthropods associated with industrial hemp in any area of North America.

Is the emerging mite pest Aculops lycopersici controllable? Global and genome-based insights in its biology and management.

Over the last decade, the tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici, has become a major pest in tomato crops worldwide, both in open-field and protected cultivation. Its minute size of 150 to 200 μm complicates early detection and monitoring in tomato crops. Passive dispersal occurs via air currents, crop management practices and commercial trade. Chemical control of Aculops lycopersici is difficult. Altered product use from broad spectrum pesticides towards selective acaricides, to meet integrated pest management (IPM) standards, has created better conditions for the rapid expansion of this specialized eriophyid mite. Moreover, practical implementation of promising natural enemies is challenging due to the complexity of biological control in tomato crops. Trichomes on tomato negatively affect arthropod natural enemies, but provide a refuge for the tomato russet mite. Despite the cosmopolitan nature of Aculops lycopersici, knowledge associated with IPM is limited and fragmented. This review describes fundamental biological data on Aculops lycopersici from the last 20 years and novel developments in the field of prevention, monitoring, chemical and biological control. The recent analysis of the genome sequence will be helpful in the development of a sustainable control strategy for Aculops lycopersici. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Tiny tomato suppressor

Symbiosis Acarid arthropods are common and economically important pests of crop plants. The tomato russet mite Aculops lycopersici is only 175 micrometers long but can potently suppress the host plant's natural resistance. It has a highly streamlined genome of 32.5 megabases, more closely resembling that of a protist than a metazoan. Greenhalgh et al. discovered that this mite leaves no room in its genome for hangers-on. It contains few transposons, has slimmed intergenic spaces to almost none, has almost done away with chemosensory apparatus and detox pathways, and has even reduced its number of legs from eight to four in the interests of economy. However, it has retained the capacity to suppress the tomato's jasmonic acid signaling pathway, which blocks the ability of the tomato host plant to produce defensive metabolites and proteins. However, the selective forces resulting in this genome diminution remain a puzzle—perhaps one is the poor nutritional value of tomato plants. eLife 9 , e56689 (2020).

Mogućnost primene bifenazata i piridabena u suzbijanju šljivine rđaste grinje (Aculus fockeui) na višnji

In the field trial conducted in 2020 at the locality of Mačvanski Metković (municipality of Bogatić, Serbia), the efficacy of products based on bifenazate and pyridaben in the control of the plum rust mite (Aculus fockeui) on sour cherry was examined. Product Acramite 480 SC (bifenazate) was tested in two application rates, 0.375 l/ha and 0.75 l/ha, while Sanmite 20 WP (pyridaben) was applied in an amount of 500 g/ha. The experiment was performed according to the standard, partially adapted EPPO method for testing the efficacy of acaricides in the control of spider mites in fruit orchards. Based on trial results, it can be concluded that the efficacy of bifenazate was different depending on the application rate of the product. The efficacy of this compound applied in the amount of 0.75 l/ha of the product Acramite 480 SC was very high and ranged between 94.85% and 98.96%, respectively. The same product in the amount of 0.375 l/ha showed low efficacy, which ranged from 55.27% to 88.22%, respectively. The efficacy of pyridaben was high in all evaluations (90.43% - 95.25%).

Evaluation of Oils for Crop Use to Control Citrus Rust Mite, 2020

Evaluation of Oils for Crop Use to Control Citrus Rust Mite, 2020

Insecticide Efficacy for Citrus Rust Mite, 2019

Insecticide Efficacy for Citrus Rust Mite, 2019

Genome streamlining in a minute herbivore that manipulates its host plant.

The tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici, is among the smallest animals on earth. It is a worldwide pest on tomato and can potently suppress the host's natural resistance. We sequenced its genome, the first of an eriophyoid, and explored whether there are genomic features associated with the mite's minute size and lifestyle. At only 32.5 Mb, the genome is the smallest yet reported for any arthropod and, reminiscent of microbial eukaryotes, exceptionally streamlined. It has few transposable elements, tiny intergenic regions, and is remarkably intron-poor, as more than 80% of coding genes are intronless. Furthermore, in accordance with ecological specialization theory, this defense-suppressing herbivore has extremely reduced environmental response gene families such as those involved in chemoreception and detoxification. Other losses associate with this species' highly derived body plan. Our findings accelerate the understanding of evolutionary forces underpinning metazoan life at the limits of small physical and genome size.

Abundance and distribution of Aculus schlechtendali on apple orchards in Southern of Brazil

The dispersion of insects and mites can be favored by many factors, including the increasing circulation of plant materials. Special attention is needed to the eriophyoid mites, which have a greater potential as introduced species, due to their physical and biological characteristics. Aculus schlechtendali (Nalepa) (Eriophyidae, Apple Rust Mite - ARM) is considered an important apple pest in several countries, being recently reported for the first time in Brazil. This study aimed to carry out a survey of the abundance and distribution of ARM in the Southern region of Brazil, in the cultivars Fuji, Gala and Eva, grown in the states of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Santa Catarina (SC) and Paraná (PR). In addition, Moran's I autocorrelation was used as an analytical tool to assess the spatial dependence between the sample points. A total of 94 orchards were sampled in 19 municipalities, distributed in the three evaluated states. Regarding cultivars, there were 40 orchards of Fuji cultivar, 43 of Gala and 11 of Eva. At each one, 20 plants were selected, from which four leaves were collected, totaling 80 leaves/orchard. The screening and identification of the mites occurred at the Laboratório de Acarologia at the Universidade do Vale do Taquari – Univates, and the statistical analysis were made using generalized linear mixed models with subsequent paired analysis, using R-software. A total of 1,647 specimens of ARM were found in 66 orchards located in 17 municipalities, with an average number (mean ± standard deviation) of 24 ± 55 mites/orchard, 44 ± 83 in Fuji, 10 ± 19 in Gala and 17 ± 21 in Eva. The average number of mites differed between cultivars and states, with the lowest number in the cultivar Gala and in Rio Grande do Sul. No spatial autocorrelation was observed between the points, indicating that the dispersion of ARM in Southern Brazil has occurred at random, without a predefined pattern that would indicate a possible hotspot. The presence of this species serves as an alert for the apple production industry, regarding the distribution of a species previously not reported in the region. The recognition of the presence, abundance and distribution of this species will help in the monitoring and future management decisions, as well as the understanding of the distribution pattern.

<p class="Body"><strong>Eriophyoid mites (Acariformes) from wild and cultivated Solanaceae plants from Brazil⁠—new taxa, supplementary descriptions, a first report and new host plants of the tomato russet mite</strong></p>

The results of a survey of Eriophyoidea mites on wild and cultivated Solanaceae plants in Central Brazil are presented. Five new taxa associated with plants in the genus Solanum are described and illustrated. They include one new genus with type species belonging to Phyllocoptinae, Calacarini - Viginticus lupusmalum gen. nov. & sp. nov.; two new species in the Eriophyinae, Aceriini - Aceria solani sp. nov. and Paraphytoptus tuberacutus sp. nov., all of them associated with Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil.; and one new species in the Phyllocoptinae, Athocoptini - Aculus michereffi sp. nov., associated with Solanum acanthodes Hook.. New host plants for the tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici (Tryon 1917), are reported. In addition, the first record of Calacarus speciosissimum Flechtmann, 1999 for Brazil and from Capsicum as host plants, and the first record of Rhynacus lippius Duarte, Chetverikov & Navia, 2016, on solanaceous plants are presented; supplementary descriptions of these species were elaborated. Diagnostic traits for Calacarus mites collected on Solanaceae plants around the world are summarized.

БИОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ПРЕПАРАТА СПИДЕР ДУО 28% К.С. ПРОТИВ РЖАВЧИННОГО КЛЕЩА НА ТОМАТЕ

At the present stage of the development of agricultural production in the republic of Uzbekistan, increasing the yield of crops, including tomato, is very important. However, tomato, like many crops, is susceptible to the settlement of many harmful insects, the most dangerous of which are the rust mite. Several methods of struggle are used against them. But it should be noted that the chemical method is the most effective, although it has several disadvantages. In order to minimize its negative consequences, a competent approach is needed. One way to solve this problem is to select the most effective, less toxic, and fast-acting drugs. For this purpose, we tested a new preparation of the drug spider duo 28% k.s. against a rust tick on tomato sheltered ground

Grape erineum mite: Postharvest sulfur use reduces subsequent leaf blistering

The occurrence of eriophyid mites (Calepitrimerus vitis [rust mites] and Colomerus vitis [erineum mites and bud mites]) in vineyards worldwide is associated with leaf deformation, stunted shoot growth and reduced yield potential. In the North Coast region of California, leaf blistering by the erineum strain of Colomerus vitis is the most widespread symptom of eriophyid mite damage. Unlike rust and bud mites, erineum mites are generally considered a nuisance pest that is incidentally controlled by sulfur-dominated management programs for powdery mildew. However, recent reductions in the use of sulfur have allowed erineum mite populations to expand, highlighting the need for alternative management options. In this study, we posited that, during autumn, mites moving to buds from erinea (leaf blisters) to overwinter could be susceptible to sulfur applications. During four growing seasons, we documented patterns of mite movement to identify key sulfur application timing. We found the greatest numbers of migrating erineum mites from late September to early November. Concurrently, in replicated trials, we evaluated the efficacy of postharvest sulfur applications to reduce blistering. Sulfur applied during the migration period in 2013 appeared to eradicate leaf blistering in the 2014 growing season. In subsequent trials, sulfur treatments reduced blistering to less than 10% incidence, compared to 40% to 50% incidence in control plots.

Citrus Rust Mite Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Arachnida: Acari: Eriophyidae)

The citrus rust mite, Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead), also called silver mite, is an important pest of citrus in most humid regions of the world (McCoy and Albrigo 1975, Vacante 2010) (Figure 1). It was first described in 1879 from Florida (Burditt et al. 1963). Phyllocoptruta oleivora is the most important mite pest of Florida citrus due to the cost of control and damage caused to fruits, particularly those for the fresh market (Knapp 1994, Hoy 2011). It coexists with another rust mite called the pink citrus rust mite, Aculops pelekassi (Keifer) (Childers and Achor 1999); however, Phyllocoptruta oleivora is usually the prevalent species.https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in1278