Species Of Eriophyid Mites Research Articles

A new genus and two new species of eriophyid mites from medicinal plants in Thailand </p >

A new genus and two new species of the family Eriophyidae (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from medicinal plants, Thailand are described and illustrated. There are Asetapatella ipomoneae gen. nov., sp. nov. on Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Mart. ex Choisy) D.F. Austin (Convolvulaceae) and Aceria rotundifolii n. sp., on Mitragyna rotundifolia (Roxb.) Kuntze (Rubiaceae). Asetapatella ipomoneae gen. nov., sp. nov. is vagrant on the lower leaf surface, causing no apparent symptoms to the host plant. Aceria rotundifolii n. sp. caused erineum on both sides of the host’s leaves.

Two new species of eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) associated with Callerya Endl. and supplementary descriptions of Fujianacarus wisterianis from China.

Two new eriophyid mite species (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) were described from the host plants of the genus Callerya Endl. during a field survey in China: Tetra nitidae sp. nov. vagrant on leaves ofCallerya nitida (Bentham) R. Geesink (Leguminosae),and Calepitrimerus calleryus sp. nov. vagrant on leaves ofCallerya tsui (F. P. Metcalf) Z. Wei & Pedley. Both species caused no apparent symptoms in their host plants. Additionally, this paper provides a supplementary morphological description and illustrations of Fujianacarus wisterianis Song, Xue & Hong, 2008 (Eriophyoidea).

A new genus and three new species of eriophyid mites from Eastern Thailand

One new genus and three new species of eriophyid mites (Eriophyidae) from Eastern Thailand were described. They are Khitchakuta chanthaburinae gen. nov. & sp. nov. on Acacia pennata (L.) Willd. (Leguminosae), Abacarus phaitongus sp. nov. on Dendrocalamus asper (Schult.) Backer (Poaceae), and Aculus kafakii sp. nov. on Dendrophthoe pentandra (L.) Miq. (Loranthaceae).

Three New Eriophyid Mite Species from China (Acari: Eriophyidae).

Eriophyid mites (Eriophyidae) are strictly phytophagous and are concentrated in Europe, Eastern Asia, Southeast Asia, Western and Eastern North America, Southern India, and New Zealand. South and southwest China are hot spots for eriophyid mite species diversity and endemism. In this study, we describe two new species, Scolotosus ehretussp. nov. on Ehretia acuminata (Boraginaceae) and Neotegonotus ulmchangussp. nov. on Ulmus changii (Ulmaceae), from south and southwest China (the Oriental Region), and one new eriophyid mite, Leipothrix ventricosissp. nov. on Hosta ventricosa (Asparagaceae), from northeast China (the Palearctic Region). All three new eriophyid mite species are distributed in the temperate region of China. We further provided mitochondrial gene (cox1, 12S rRNA) and nuclear gene (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA) sequences for three new species.

Population density of eriophyid mites (Acari: Eriophyidae) on raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and their association with leaf blotch symptoms

Red raspberry, Rubus idaeus, is known to be infested by at least six species of eriophyid mites. Among them, the raspberry leaf and bud mite, Phyllocoptes gracilis, (Figure 1, A–B) is the only known vector of a raspberry virus, namely the raspberry leaf blotch virus (RLBV) (Dong et al. 2016; McGavin et al. 2012; Tan et al. 2022). Raspberry leaf blotch (Figure 1, C), a leaf disorder displaying as leaf chlorosis, distortion and patchy necrosis, yellowing and thinning on lateral branches, has been attributed to the feeding of P. gracilis until RLBV was also found to be associated with these symptoms (McGavin et al. 2012). Previous sampling of eriophyid mites was often based on the presence of the leaf blotch symptom, and there is a reasonable doubt if the symptom was caused by RLBV infection or mite infestation. It could also be hypothesized that eriophyid mites are attracted to RLBV-infected plants as viruses could make host plants more attractive to vectors (Donnelly & Gilligan 2020; Shi et al. 2019). It is therefore important to improve the detection of both mites and RLBV to efficiently manage the virus. In addition, knowledge on the dominant infestation area of eriophyid mites on raspberry canes is essential to develop an effective pest management approach. Gordon and Taylor (1976) reported that P. gracilis on primocanes during late summer (mid-August) was dominantly found on the upper leaves, due to the presence of predatory mites on the lower and middle leaves. But mite behavior on floricanes is also important to study if the goal is to prevent mite migration and RLBV transmission to primocanes. This study aimed to investigate the population density of eriophyid mites on raspberry floricanes and the association of eriophyid mites, RLBV, and leaf blotch symptoms.

First report of perilla mosaic emaravirus infecting Perilla frutescens in South Korea.

Perilla mosaic virus (PerMV; the genus Emaravirus in the family Fimoviridae) has a multiple, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA genome (ICTV, 2018). PerMV has been reported in Japan, where it was transmitted by an eriophyid mite species (Acari: Eriophyidae) to Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton var. crispa (Kubota et al., 2020). In September 2021, typical symptoms of the virus including yellow flecks, mosaic symptoms, and malformation were observed in leaves of P. frutescens in a cultivated field in Iseo-myeon, Wanju, South Korea (Suppl. Fig. 1). Visual estimates indicated that symptom incidence reached 70%, and the top leaves of perilla plants exhibited more severe symptoms and leaf distortion. To identify the virus species accurately, total RNA was extracted from five symptomatic perilla leaves collected using the RNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) then cDNAs were amplified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using two pairs of primers to PerMV specific primer set designed to amplify 412- and 491-bp cDNAs of the nucleocapsid protein gene RNA 3 and movement protein gene RNA 4, respectively (Suppl. Table). Single-infection of PerMV in symptomatic Korean perilla plants was confirmed by high-throughput sequence (HTS) analysis and de novo transcriptome assembly using the Illumina HiSeq 4000 platform (Macrogen Inc., Seoul, Korea). The assembled sequences were aligned with viral reference genomes through searches performed using the BLASTn tool. Seven contigs (597-7,213 bp) revealed 92.09-97.37% nucleotide homology with RNAs of the isolate PerMV_Kochi_Nankoku_2011 (accession numbers LC496090 to LC496099) in the GenBank database. Other viruses including turnip mosaic virus and cucumber green mottle mosaic virus were not identified by HTS analysis (Cho et al., 2021; Park et al., 2020; Song et al., 2022). Seven RNA genomes of PerMV were confirmed by RT-PCR using specific primer sets designed to amplify part of each genome (Suppl. Table 1 and Fig. 2). The complete nucleotide sequences of PerMV (named IS isolate) RNA 1-7 were determined to be 7,177, 2,089, 1,094, 1,302, 1,079, 1,098, and 995 bp in length, respectively; these were deposited in GenBank (LC721296-LC721303). Sap from a symptomatic leaf sample confirmed for single infection was inoculated mechanically onto the leaves of 10 healthy P. frutescens seedlings, which developed the same PerMV symptoms within 3 weeks. These results indicate that PerMV is the causal agent of viral disease in Korean perilla plants cultivated in South Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a perilla mosaic emaravirus infecting to Korean perilla, P. frutescens in South Korea.

Goji Berry Gall Mite Expansion in Europe, with Emphasis on Southeastern Part of Romania

In Europe, the goji crop is expanding rapidly, to satisfy the increased market demand for functional foods, with effects in chronic diseases treatment (cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, etc.). Romania has become in recent years one of the most important growers of goji berry, especially for organic production, as the species was quite resistant to main pests and diseases. Still, in 2008, a non-indigenous species of Eriophyid mites, called Aceria kuko, was identified on goji plants in UK and spread rapidly throughout the EU. The plant protection institutions took eradication measures, however the pest continued to spread in new plantations and recently on spontaneous plants. Based on GBIF, iNaturalist, personal observations and communication, the paper presents the current distribution of goji berry gall mite in Europe and in Romania and also suggests the use of new citizen science tool - ProtectGoji maps, that aims both to increase awareness of goji producers and consumers about this pest and to geolocate the species expansion in Romania for a better containment and control strategy.

Two new Aceria species (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Meshginshahr rangelands, Iran

During a first faunistic survey on the eriophyoid mites of Meshginshahr rangelands in Ardabil province, Iran, two new Aceria species of eriophyid mites were found, and they are described and illustrated. They are: Aceria ayvatliorum Lotfollahi et Hemmatzadeh sp. nov. from Rhaponticum repens (L.) Hidalgo (Asteraceae), and Aceria beygdiliorum Lotfollahi et Hemmatzadeh sp. nov. from Astragalus compactus Lam. (Fabaceae). The first aforementioned new species is the third eriophyoid associated with R. repens. And the second new species is the fourth Aceria species found on Astragalus species. Both new species were vagrants, and no plant deformations were observed. Due to the presence of numerous endemic Astragalus species in Iran, an intensive and cohesive survey of eriophyoid mites of Astragalus is strongly suggested.

Two new species of Anthocoptini tribe (Acariformes: Eriophyoidea: Eriophyidae) from northern Iran

ABSTRACT Two new species of eriophyid mites in the tribe Anthocoptini from northern Iran were described and illustrated in this paper. Aculus carpitulus sp. nov. and Heterotergum sariensis sp. nov. were collected from Carpinus betulus L. (Betulaceae) and Quercus castaneifolia C. A. Mey., 1831 (Fagaceae), respectively, in Sari County, Mazandaran Province, North of Iran. No symptoms were observed on the infested host plants. Heterotergum sariensis sp. nov. is the first Heterotergum species from plants of the family Fagaceae in the world. Keys to worldwide Heterotergum and to Aculus species associated with Betulaceae plants are provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:60D88388-8C22-484C-A829-21B172427CB6 http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:24022049-D302-4EBF-B1F3-A78B71F8014D http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:AFEA3BBD-0196-4213-80FA-7652A67936D6

Description of three new species and a new record of eriophyid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) from Egypt

Four eriophyid mite species were collected on plants during field survey in Egypt. Abacarus sacchari ChannaBasavanna is recorded for the first time from Egypt and a supplementary morphological description and illustrations are given. A new species, Aculodes sacchari sp. nov., is vagrant in grooves on the inner surface of the leaves of Saccharum officinarum L. (Poaceae) and no apparent symptoms were observed. Two other new species are described: Aculus glinus sp. nov., causes deformations on stems and leaves of Glinus lotoides L. (Molluginaceae), and Aceria nodiflorae sp. nov., is vagrant on leaves and flowers of Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene (Verbenaceae) and no apparent symptoms were observed. Both adult sexes and immature stages are described and illustrated for all species.

Population Dynamics of Eriophyid Mites and Evaluation of Different Management Practices on Timothy Grass.

Several species of eriophyid mites are important economic pests of timothy grass in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Feeding causes stunting, curling, and brown discoloration of leaves, and yield losses ranging up to 50%. Carbaryl is the only approved chemical control for these mites. We investigated the population dynamics of field infestations, host plant resistance, and several cultural control measures to develop a more sustainable management strategy. Seasonal phenology and overall abundance differed among timothy fields and between years, with mean peak densities ranging up to 731 eggs and 1,163 mites per 2.5 cm of leaf blade. Population differences were related to the age of the field, the prevailing temperatures, and snow cover during the fall and winter months. All varieties of timothy tested were susceptible, whereas several other forage grasses were significantly resistant to eriophyid mites as possible alternatives for replacing timothy. Fall harvesting reduced the buildup of mites during the winter but populations eventually rebounded and still reached economic densities by April. Burn-down herbicide, prescribed burning, and urea-based fertilizer treatments prior to green-up in the early spring had variable effects and may help to prevent economic losses; however, several concerns about the benefit/costs and practicality of these practices are discussed.

Enzymatic characterization of the saliva of the eriophyid mite, Aceria pongamiae Keifer1966 (Acari: Eriophyidae) and the bacterial endobiome of the galls induced on Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre (Fabaceae).

Galls, like other regular plant organs, possess their own histological and physiological features. A high degree of specificity is maintained between the host and the inducer, and hence gall morphogenesis is highly conserved and would help trace gall lineages and cell fate. The present study highlights the induction and subsequent development of leaf galls on the Indian Beech tree, Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre (Fabaceae), mediated through the active participation of a gall-inducing species of eriophyid mite, Aceria pongamiae Keifer and gall-associated bacterial endobiome. The saliva of A. pongamiae and selected strains of gall-associated bacterial endobiome were characterized in part during the study. Three strains of Staphylococcus arlettae (PGP1-3) and one strain of Bacillus flexus (PGP4) were identified from the leaf galls through 16S rDNA sequencing. The mite saliva displayed tryptophanase activity, and the bacterial strains showed differential enzyme activities (protease, amylase, cellulase, DNAse, pectinase, tryptophanase, and catalase). All four strains of bacterial endobiome exhibited unique metal tolerance as well as pH and temperature regulating activity. Evaluation of the potential role of the mite saliva and the gall associated bacterial endobiome in gallogenesis was done by monitoring the plant growth-promoting activity of the salivary extract and the isolated bacterial strains through in vitro seed (Vigna radiata) germination assay. Salivary extract of the mite showed the highest rate of plant growth-promoting activity compared with that of the isolated strains of bacterial endobiome. The present study forms the first attempt that illustrates the characteristic features of the saliva of the gall inducer and the gall associated bacterial endobiome. Based on the results of the current study, we suggest that eriophyid mite saliva and the gall-associated microbes play significant roles in the induction of cecidia.

Identification and characterization of a novel virus associated with an eriophyid mite in extracts of fruit trees leaves.

Eriophyid mites are commonly found on the leaf surface of different plant species. In the present study, a novel virus associated with an eriophyid mite species was detected using high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of total RNA from fruit tree leaves, primarily growing under greenhouse conditions. The complete genome sequence was characterized using rapid amplification of cDNA ends followed by Sanger sequencing, revealing a genome of 8885 nucleotides in length. The single positive-stranded RNA genome was predicted to encode typical conserved domains of members of the genus Iflavirus in the family Iflaviridae. Phylogenetic analysis showed this virus to be closely related to the unclassified iflavirus tomato matilda associated virus (TMaV), with a maximum amino acid sequence identity of 59% in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase domain. This low identity value justifies the recognition of the novel virus as a potential novel iflavirus. In addition to a lack of graft-transmissibility evidence, RT-PCR and HTS detection of this virus in the putative host plants were not consistent through different years and growing seasons, raising the possibility that rather than a plant virus, this was a virus infecting an organism associated with fruit tree leaves. Identification of Tetra pinnatifidae HTS-derived contigs in all fruit tree samples carrying the novel virus suggested this mite as the most likely host of the new virus (p-value < 1e-11), which is tentatively named "eriophyid mite-associated virus" (EMaV). This study highlights the importance of a careful biological study before assigning a new virus to a particular plant host when using metagenomics data.

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.

Management of the Wheat Curl Mite and Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus With Insecticides on Spring and Winter Wheat.

The wheat curl mite (WCM, Aceria tosichella, Keifer) is an eriophyid mite species complex that causes damage to cereal crops in the Northern Great Plains by feeding damage and through the transmission of plant viruses, such as wheat streak mosaic virus. Insecticide treatments were evaluated in the greenhouse and field for efficacy at managing the WCM complex on wheat. Treatments tested were carbamates, organophosphates, pyrethroids, a neonicotinoid seed treatment, mite growth inhibitors, and Organic Materials Review Institute–approved biocontrols, soaps, and oils. Treatment with carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids decreased WCM in greenhouse trials compared with untreated controls 14 days after infestation. The seed treatment, mite growth inhibitors, and organic pesticides did not reduce WCM populations effectively and consistently. The timing of application was tested using a sulfur solution as the experimental treatment. Treating plants with sulfur seven days after mite infestation reduced mites compared with the untreated control. In contrast, prophylactically applied sulfur and sulfur applied 14 days after mite infestation were not effective. When tested under field conditions with plots infested with viruliferous mites, there was no yield difference detected between untreated control plots and plots sprayed with insecticides. Select carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids have a potential for use in greenhouse mite management when appropriate.

Evaluation of different control strategies for the management of redberry disease associated with Acalitus orthomera (Eriophyoidea: Eriophyidae) in commercial blackberry crops

In Mexico, redberry disease in blackberry (Rubus sp.) was first observed in Tacambaro, Michoacan, in 2011, causing losses greater than 70%. In this study, the eriophyid mite species associated with buds and berries and its association with redberry disease were identified. Based on morphology, the specimens of mites collected from the buds and fruits were identified as Acalitus orthomera (Keifer in Bull Dept Agric State Calif XL(3):93–104, 1951) (Acari: Eriophyidae). The eriophyid mite densities in the buds of fruiting laterals were moderately to highly positively correlated (ρ = 0.6–0.95) with redberry disease incidence at harvest. In the second part of this study, the effects of different management strategies on the density of A. orthomera in fruiting lateral buds and redberry disease incidence were evaluated. Two IPM and organic experimental plots were established during the 2014 and 2016 seasons. Treatments were based on sequential or alternating applications of lime sulfur, plant extracts, soybean oil, the entomopathogenic fungus Hirsutella thompsonii, and acequinocyl, abamectin, and hexythiazox. Treatments were applied either from budbreak or the start of the blooming period. Management programs based on the application of lime sulfur alone or in blocks or alternating with acequinocyl, abamectin, or neem extracts were effective in reducing A. orthomera densities in buds and the incidence of redberry disease when applied either after budbreak or at the beginning of the blooming period; some of these treatment schemes are feasible for use in organic systems. These results will contribute to optimizing the management of redberry disease in blackberry in the context of integrated pest management.

A Survey of Rose rosette virus and Eriophyid Mites Associated with Roses in the Southeastern United States

The eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus, vectors the causal agent, Rose rosette virus (RRV), that results in rose rosette disease. Parts of the southeastern United States have remained free of the disease, except for infected plant material introductions that were eradicated. A survey of sampling points through Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi (n = 204) revealed the southeastern border of RRV. The presence of RRV in symptomatic plant tissue samples (n = 39) was confirmed by TaqMan-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Samples were also collected at every plot for detection of eriophyid mites, specifically for P. fructiphilus. Three different species of eriophyid mites were found to be generally distributed throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Most of these sites (n = 60) contained P. fructiphilus, found further south than previously thought, but in low populations (&lt;10 mites/gram of tissue) south of the RRV line of incidence. Latitude was found to be significantly correlated with the probability of detecting RRV-positive plants, but plant hardiness zones were not. Plot factors such as plant size, wind barriers, and sun exposure were found to have no effect on P. fructiphilus or the presence of RRV. The reason for the absence of RRV and low populations of P. fructiphilus in this southeast region of the United States are unclear.

Two new species of eriophyid mites (Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) associated with Lamiaceae species from semi-arid and arid environment in East Iran

During the field study of eriophyoid mites associated with Lamiaceae species in semi-arid and arid environment in East Iran (Birjand, South Khorasan, Iran, summer 2017), two new eriophyid mite species (Trombidiformes: Eriophyidae) were discovered. They are Aceria pocrii sp. nov. on Teucrium polium L. and Cecidophyes punctinea sp. nov. on Rosmarinus officinalis L., and are illustrated and described herein. Both new species seemed to be vagrants on leaves and flowers, and they were not associated to any particular symptom.

Three new species of eriophyid mites (Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea) associated with Leguminosae species from semi-arid and arid environment in East Iran

ABSTRACT During a field survey in 2016–2107, three new species of eriophyid mites (Trombidiformes: Eriophyoidea: Eriophyidae) were collected from Leguminosae plants, from semi-arid and arid environment in Birjand region, South Khorasan province, East of Iran. They are Aculus onobrychiensis sp. nov. from Onobrychis laxiflora Baker, Anthocoptes dorokhshii sp. nov. from Trifolium repens L., and Aculops pachyphora sp. nov. from Sophora pachycarpa C.A. Mey. All three new species appear to be vagrants on the leaves and no symptom was observed. The new species are illustrated and described herein. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:C324AC50-1A8D-408A-B4A5-3394EEB4F202

Open field evaluation of Aculodes altamurgensis, a recently described eriophyid species associated with medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae)

ABSTRACTMedusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae, Poales: Poaceae) is an annual grass native to central Asia and the Mediterranean region. It is a noxious, invasive weed in much of western North America. As such, it is the target of a classical biological control programme established by USDA-ARS. During explorations carried out in 2014 a new species of eriophyid mite, Aculodes altamurgiensis de Lillo & Vidovic, 2018 (Acari: Eriophyidae), was discovered on medusahead in southern Italy; it was also collected from medusahead in Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey, and Iran in subsequent years. In the field A. altamurgensis has consistently been associated with the target weed while never having been detected from sympatric grass (Poales: Poaceae) species (e.g. Stipa austroitalica, Avena sativa, Triticum durum, T. aestivum), suggesting that A. altamurgensis is highly specific to medusahead. An open-field host-specificity test was carried out in Rome, Italy in 2016 in which an Italian population of A. altamurgensis was infested onto 11 different grass genotypes, including five crop species and five different populations of medusahead (two from Italy and three populations that are invasive in the USA). The results supported the previous observations that A. altamurgiensis is highly specific to medusahead and merits further evaluation as a candidate for biological control of this invasive grass. However, the Italian population of A. altamurgiensis showed variable colonisation rates on different medusahead populations, indicating that populations of A. altamurgiensis from other regions should also be tested to determine if they can colonise medusahead at more uniformly high rates, particularly on the targeted invasive populations in the USA.