Optimizing trophic interactions within factitious prey chains is critical for the sustainable mass production of biological control agents. We investigated the developmental and demographic performance of Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) when fed on four storage mite species, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae), Carpoglyphus lactis L. (Acari: Carpoglyphidae), Lepidoglyphus destructor (Schrank) (Acari: Glycyphagidae), Rhizoglyphus robini Claparede (Acari: Acaridae), and a mixed-prey treatment (equal ratio of C. lactis and L. destructor). Additionally, a previously optimized dry diet, composed of wheat bran, baker's yeast, dog food, cat food, mixed pollen, and a vitamin supplement, was directly offered to A. swirskii to assess its suitability as a non-prey artificial diet. Life table parameters were quantified under controlled laboratory conditions, and two prey treatments representing contrasting performance levels among those supporting complete development were further evaluated across 20 consecutive predator generations to assess demographic stability. Among the prey treatments, C. lactis supported the highest intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R0), and fecundity, maintaining consistent demographic performance. Although T. putrescentiae was the least favorable prey among those permitting full development, it still supported population persistence, whereas R. robini failed to sustain survival beyond the protonymphal stage. Mixed-prey treatment did not enhance predator performance compared to C. lactis alone. Direct feeding on the dry diet resulted in reduced demographic performance compared to prey-based diets. The findings demonstrate that prey identity strongly influences both short-term and long-term performance, and that carefully selected astigmatid prey, particularly C. lactis can improve the efficiency of A. swirskii mass-rearing system.

Predatory mites transitioning from mass-rearing to field release undergo critical prey switching from rearing hosts to target pests. Understanding temporal adaptation of predatory capacity postswitching is essential for biological control optimization. This study examines how prey switching duration affects predatory performance in Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) following from Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) to Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov et Nikolskii (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae). The predatory adaptation of female N. bicaudus was assessed during 0 to 7 days postprey switching through integrated approaches: Y-tube olfactometry quantified olfactory responses to T. turkestani, predatory choice tests evaluated feeding preference shifts, Holling type II functional response modeling analyzed predation capacity changes, and field releases on soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. validated biological control efficacy against T. turkestani. Prey switching enhanced N. bicaudus adaptation to T. turkestani. Olfactory preference increased steadily, with significant shifts by Day 3, peaking at 73.33% by Day 6. Feeding preference shifted from avoidance (D = -0.39, D: prey selectivity index) to strong attraction (D = 0.94), stabilizing >0.9 after Day 4. Though functional response remained Holling Type II, key parameters optimized at Day 4: minimal handling time (Th = 0.04 days), daily maximum predation (1/Th = 26.25), and predation capacity (a/Th = 21.18, where a is attack rate). Field validation showed that the suppressive effect of N. bicaudus (which had experienced prey-switching) on T. turkestani could be enhanced by up to 73.44%. Neoseiulus bicaudus progressively enhances olfactory preference, feeding preference, and predatory capacity toward target prey following prey switching. Implementing this preadaptive strategy significantly improves the mite's field control efficacy against spider mites.

Methyl bromide is no longer available as a commodity or structural fumigant in many countries, except for quarantine and other critical uses, due to its atmospheric ozone layer-depleting properties. There is a need to find alternatives to methyl bromide to protect dry-cured hams from mold mites, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). Residual acaricides may be a means to manage this pest in ham aging rooms, but minimal research has been conducted in this area. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess some commercially available acaricides and insecticides that could serve as a potential protective barrier in a dry-cured ham aging room. The toxicity of twelve acaricides was evaluated in laboratory studies. Four of these acaricides were effective as residual treatments on surfaces. Twenty mites were transferred to vials treated with different concentrations of these chemicals for 24 h. The persistence of these four chemicals was further assessed over an 8-week period by applying the recommended rate to three different surfaces: metal, concrete, and wood. Results indicated that acequinocyl and amitraz were very persistent and effective at killing mites throughout the experiment period. Amitraz was effective at controlling mold mites for 4 to 6 weeks on metal and 6 to 8 weeks on concrete and wood. Further work needs to be studied on a larger scale, simulating a ham aging room, to evaluate the effectiveness of amitraz and acequinocyl in commercial applications.

Tyrophagus putrescentiae, commonly referred to as the ham or cheese mite, are tiny arachnid pests that infest dry-cured hams and aged cheeses. Previous studies have indicated that propylene glycol (PG) is a safe and effective treatment for control of ham mite infestations in laboratory-scale experiments. Mixed-sex mites were inoculated on ham cubes that were dipped in PG (n = 6), while untreated ham cubes served as the control (n = 6). After incubation for 72 h at 25 ± 2°C and 70 ± 5% RH, mites from each treatment group were pooled and RNA-seq was used to characterize mite transcriptomes and check for differences in gene expression. Out of 19,199 annotated genes, approximately 64% were functionally annotated. In total, 649 genes were differentially expressed (p < 0.05, log2 fold change < - 1 or > 1) due to PG exposure, with 74 genes upregulated and 575 downregulated. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that there were 14 pathways and 21 gene ontology (GO) terms significantly over-represented in the differentially expressed genes, indicating that PG exposure affects genes involved in degradation, detoxification, glycolysis, and gluconeogenesis, and suggests that ham mites are deterred by PG, resulting in starvation and the mite's eventual death. However, the toxicity of PG from consumption has not yet been proven and requires further experimentation.

Optimizing nutrient transfer across trophic levels has become an important approach to enhance the biological efficiency and sustainability of predator-prey rearing systems supporting augmentative biological control. This study examined how dietary enrichment of the factitious prey Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) influences its biochemical composition and subsequent effects on the demographic performance of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot; one of the most widely used biocontrol agents in protected crops. Eight dry diets were tested, including a basal mixture (Diet 1: wheat bran + baker's yeast) and seven enriched formulations varying in animal- and plant-derived components. After three generations of prey rearing, we quantified the biochemical composition (protein, triacylglycerol, glycogen) of T. putrescentiae and the corresponding life table parameters of A. swirskii. Diets containing both animal and plant supplements; particularly Diet 6 (basal diet + cat food + mixed pollen), Diet 7 (basal diet + starch + dog food + cat food + mixed pollen), and Diet 8 (basal diet + dog food + cat food + mixed pollen + vitamin mix); significantly enhanced predator fecundity, shortened developmental time, and increased the intrinsic rate of increase (r), with Diet 7 achieving the most balanced performance. Glycogen reserves in the prey were positively correlated with predator reproduction, underscoring the importance of carbohydrate-based energy allocation in trophic transfer. These results establish a mechanistic nutritional framework to improve the quality and productivity of mass-reared predatory mites, directly supporting the efficiency and scalability of biological control programs.

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Trouessart)and Dermatophagoides farinae (Hughes)(Acariformes: Pyroglyphidae) are the prevalent kinds of house dust mites (HDMs). HDM is a common indoor pest, which mainly breeds in indoor dust and is an important allergen source causing a variety of allergic diseases. Effective detection of these HDMs is crucial in preventing the allergic diseases they cause. The objective of this study was to develop an innovative method for the rapid visualization of HDMs (D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae) using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and lateral flow dipstick (LFD) in combination with CRISPR-Cas13a (RPA-Cas13a-LFD). To achieve heightened sensitivity in the detection of HDMs, Cas13a was incorporated into the RPA process and coupled with T7 transcripts. Based on this approach, a total of 2.23-102 copies/μl of HDM were detected within 35 min (detection limit of 2.23 copies/μl for D. farinaeand 39.7 copies/μl for D. pteronyssinus). No cross-reactivity occurred with Aleuroglyphus ovatus (Troupeau) (Acariformes: Acaridae), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acariformes: Acaridae), Blomia tropicalis (van Bronswijk, de Cock & Oshima) (Acariformes: Acaridae), Suidasia nesbitti (Hughes) (Acariformes: Acaridae), and Carpoglyphus lactis(Linnaeus) (Acariformes: Acaridae). The RPA-Cas13a-LFD methodology demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity in detecting HDM. Given its advantages, such as ease of operation, rapid detection, and time efficiency, it is well-suited for rapid field-based detection of HDMs, providing a new technical tool for detecting D. farinaeand D. pteronyssinus.

Dried figs (Ficus carica L.) are a high-value export commodity for Türkiye, particularly from the Aydın and İzmir provinces. Infestations by storage mites, especially Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), reduce product quality, promote microbial growth, and frequently result in export rejections. A phosphine-carbon dioxide fumigant (2% phosphine + 98% carbon dioxide; Eco2fume®) is widely used for stored-product pest control worldwide and is commonly applied in dried-fig fumigation for insect management in Türkiye; however, its acaricidal efficacy has not been documented. This study evaluated the effectiveness of this fumigant against C. lactis and T. putrescentiae under commercial fumigation conditions using four concentrations (500, 700, 1000, and 1400 ppm). Fumigation was conducted in industrial chambers at a dried-fig processing facility. Knockdown was assessed immediately after chamber opening (0 h), and mortality and egg hatch were monitored for up to 168 h. At 1000 and 1400 ppm, 100% knockdown and mortality of all mobile stages of both mite species were achieved. At 700 and 500 ppm, high initial knockdown was observed; however, partial recovery occurred after chamber opening, resulting in lower mortality, particularly for C. lactis. No egg hatching was detected at any fumigation concentration, whereas all developmental stages remained viable in the control. These results demonstrate that phosphine–carbon dioxide fumigation at the commercially recommended dose of 1000 ppm can effectively control both mobile stages and egg hatch of C. lactis and T. putrescentiae under realistic industrial conditions.

Wolbachia screening in mites is necessary for understanding of how their biological functions can be affected, including development of approaches to induce parthenogenesis, making the predator’s cultures more effective and stable. Here we studied Wolbachia infection in two sibling species of Neoseiulus predatory mites (one thelytokous and another bisexual) as well as their feed mites to test two working hypotheses: 1) a thelytokous mite Neoseiulus agrestis harbors Wolbachia, unlike its bisexual sibling species Neoseiulus neoagrestis and 2) feed mites are not the source of Wolbachia detection in Neoseiulus. To test these hypotheses, we performed PCR screening and multilocus sequence typing. It showed Wolbachia infection in N. agrestis, but not N. neoagrestis. Since the former is a thelytokous species, and the latter is not, Wolbachia might contribute to this peculiarity. The Wolbachia isolate from N. agrestis belongs to the supergroup B, being similar to the strains from lepidopteran insects as well as Syrphidae (Diptera). Wolbachia infection status of the thelytokous species N. agrestis is shown for the first time. As for the feed mites, Wolbachia was not detected in Carpoglyphus lactis and Thyreophagus entomophagus, but occurred in Tyrophagus putrescentiae. That bacterial strain formed a basal branch in relation to the supergroup B and demonstrated only a partial genetic identity to the Czech isolate from T. putrescentiae. Thus, Wolbachia from the predatory and feed mites are genetically different. The new Wolbachia sequences are deposited to GenBank serving as an important source of molecular data for comparative studies of Wolbachia parasites.

ABSTRACT Many species of Mesostigmata soil mites have potential as biological control agents of pests/parasites. This study evaluated the predation potential of two of these species, Gamasellodes lavafesii (Ascidae) and Cosmolaelaps mediocuspis (Laelapidae). The harmful species evaluated as prey were the root‐knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica (Heteroderidae), the gastrointestinal sheep‐parasitic nematode, Haemonchus contortus (Trichostrongylidae), the bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus columbianus (Astigmata: Acaridae) and the sciarid fly, Bradysia matogrossensis (Diptera: Sciaridae). Additionally, five species were tested as potential alternative food sources for the mass rearing of predators: eggs of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), the mites Glycyphagus destructor (Astigmata: Glycyphagidae), Thyreophagus cracentiseta and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Astigmata: Acaridae), and the free‐living nematode Rhabditella axei (Rhabditidae). Daily predation rates (by female) between the predators did not differ when M. javanica was offered (≅240–245 second‐stage juveniles). For H. contortus , G. lavafesii exhibited a higher daily predation rate (≅204 third‐stage juveniles), whereas C. mediocuspis showed higher daily consumption of R. columbianus (≅6.1 larvae/nymphs) and B. matogrossensis (≅1.5 larvae). The highest oviposition rate of G. lavafesii (3 eggs/female/day) was observed on M. javanica , while C. mediocuspis laid at most 0.6 eggs/female/day on all evaluated prey. For large‐scale rearing, R. axei provided the best oviposition rate for G. lavafesii (8 eggs/female/day), whereas the highest rate for C. mediocuspis was obtained on E. kuehniella eggs (1.3 eggs/female/day). These findings will provide valuable insights for developing new biological agents for harmful organisms that spend part of their life cycle in the soil.

This study assessed the impact of four diet sources on the biological performance and life-table parameters of the predatory mite Blattisocius keegani. The evaluated diets included castor-bean pollen Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae), eggs of the stored-product moth Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) (Gelechiidae), the acarid mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acaridae), and the dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Carpoglyphidae). Comparative analyses of developmental duration, survival, fecundity, and population growth metrics were conducted to determine the diet that best supports predator performance. The results demonstrated that the type of food had a significant effect on the developmental duration, reproductive performance, longevity, and population growth of B. keegani. Females developed fastest and showed the greatest reproductive success when fed C. lactis, with the shortest immature duration (5.90 days), highest fecundity (33.20 eggs/female), and longest life span. Conversely, castor bean pollen produced the slowest development (7.50±0.75 days) and lowest fecundity (24.20 eggs/female). For males, developmental duration was also shortest on C. lactis and T. putrescentiae, while the longest life span occurred on C. lactis (24.82 days). Life table parameters further confirmed C. lactis as the most suitable diet, producing the highest intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and net reproductive rate (Ro), along with superior survival percentages. In contrast, castor bean pollen resulted in the lowest values for growth and reproduction. The results clearly demonstrate that C. lactis is the most suitable nutritional source for B. keegani, followed by T. putrescentiae, whereas S. cerealella eggs and castor bean pollen are less favorable diets.

The predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is an efficient biocontrol agent, and its quality in the production process depends on the quality of its prey. The effect of 12 animal-based components of the factitious prey Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) on the biological performance of A. swirskii was investigated. These components included 2 categories of pure and processed animal supplements, which the pure supplements were the powder of chicken blood, red meat, egg white, eggshell, prawn, black soldier fly (BSF) [Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae)] larvae, and mealworm [Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)], while the processed supplements were the powder of whey protein, dog food, cat food, fish food, and milk. The effects of the supplements on the performance of A. swirskii were assessed by improving the quality of the base diet (wheat flour + bran) of the factitious prey T. putrescentiae under laboratory conditions. The predatory mite performed better on the prey reared on the enriched diets than on the base diet. The pre-adult duration in all diets was significantly shorter than that of the base diet, with the shortest duration (6.64 d) in the blood powder. The intrinsic rate of increase of A. swirskii on chicken blood powder (0.137 d-1), prawn (0.136 d-1), and milk powder (0.114 d-1) diets was significantly higher than that of the base diet (0.083 d-1). Therefore, the mentioned diets, along with BSF, dog food, egg white, and whey protein, can be categorized as suitable nutrients for enhancing the rearing of A. swirskii.

Simple SummaryCanine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic skin disease that often causes itching and discomfort in dogs, leading to reduced quality of life. To better understand the usefulness of blood-based tests in dogs with AD, we examined eosinophil counts, serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), and several cytokines related to allergy and immune regulation. Ninety-three dogs were enrolled, including 65 diagnosed with AD and 28 healthy controls. We found that eosinophil counts were not significantly different between affected and healthy dogs, suggesting limited diagnostic value. However, allergen-specific IgE testing showed higher levels and sensitization rates to several common environmental and food allergens, particularly house dust and storage mites, pollens, and certain dietary ingredients. Cytokine levels showed some trends but were not significantly different. Our results indicate that allergen-specific IgE testing can provide meaningful information for diagnosis and management of AD in dogs.Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic allergic skin disease in which various immunological markers have been investigated. While peripheral eosinophil counts, serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), and cytokines have each been evaluated in allergic disorders, their simultaneous assessment in dogs with AD has rarely been reported in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and clinical utility of these parameters in affected dogs. A total of 93 dogs were included between August 2019 and February 2020, comprising 65 dogs diagnosed with AD and 28 healthy controls. Clinical information, peripheral blood eosinophil counts and ratios, serum allergen-specific IgE using a multiple allergen panel (60 allergens), and cytokines related to T helper 2 (Th2) and T regulatory (Treg) cells (IL-4, IL-13, IL-31, TGF-β1) were analyzed. The mean age of AD dogs was 6.34 ± 3.99 years, with a predominance of small breeds and males. Eosinophil counts and ratios showed no significant difference between groups. In contrast, allergen-specific IgE levels were significantly elevated for several allergens, including Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, alder/birch, hazel, oak, cladosporium, and selected dietary antigens (pea, soybean, pumpkin, apple) (p < 0.05). Sensitization rates were also higher for Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, oak, and sheep sorrel (p < 0.05). Th2-related cytokines tended to increase and TGF-β1 tended to decrease in AD dogs, though without statistical significance. These findings indicate that peripheral eosinophil counts have limited diagnostic value, whereas allergen-specific IgE testing provides clinically useful information for the diagnosis and management of canine AD. Further research stratifying disease stages and assessing local tissue cytokine expression is warranted.

Between 1% and 2% of the world’s population is sensitised to mites. Aetiological diagnosis is key to the management of allergic patients. However, methods based solely on morphological criteria are ambiguous in many cases. Polymerase chain reaction of ribosomal genes represents a valuable complementary approach. The 5 most representative species (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Blomia tropicalis and Lepidoglyphus destructor) were selected as sources of allergens. They were first identified morphologically and the 18S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from the GenBank database. Alignment of the nucleotide sequences of the 18S rRNA ribosomal gene enabled the identification of the conserved and divergent regions in all of them. The alignment allowed the design of a pair of oligonucleotides in conserved regions of the gene, to amplify the sequence of interest in each of the species. We performed genomic DNA extraction, quantification and purity. PCR, using oligonucleotides designed to amplify the 18S sequence fragment of interest, showed the exact size for each species. Amplification, efficiency curves and melting points resulting from the amplification of the 18S amplicon of the five species were obtained. The oligonucleotides designed for real-time PCR studies, allow species identification by amplifying the specific fragment of each species using real-time PCR.

Background: European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps (EPOS) 2020 proposed a novel primary chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) phenotype classification. As the endotype and phenotype of primary CRS are highly heterogeneous, clinical evaluation to match these endotypes and corresponding clinical biomarkers with these novel phenotypes is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between clinical inflammatory biomarkers and primary CRS phenotype. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 78 adult patients diagnosed with primary CRS was conducted. Peripheral eosinophil count, serum-specific immunoglobulin E (ssIgE), and primary CRS phenotyping data were collected from the electronic health record database of Dr. Kariadi General Hospital Semarang. The Chi-square test and phi coefficient were used to assess the correlation between variables. Results: Most patients have polysensitization allergen patterns, predominated by house dust mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Dermatophagoides microceras, and Dermatophagoides farinae) and grass pollens (Bermuda grass,mix grass, and Timothy grass). peripheral eosinophil count and ssIgE are significantly correlated to primary CRS phenotype (r=+0.407, p 0.001; r=+0.342, p=0.002; respectively). We also found a small portion of some peculiar conditional probabilities of having non-eCRS given patients have peripheral eosinophilia and positive ssIgE (6.2% and 17.3%, respectively). Conclusion: peripheral eosinophils count and ssIgE are correlate to the CRS phenotype.

ABSTRACT The bio-ethological characteristics, including the foraging behaviours, of adult predators are crucial for assessing their impact on prey populations within an ecosystem. This work aimed to explore how the ages of adult females and males of the predatory soil mite Blattisocius mali Oudemans (Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae) impact their predation behaviours when preying on the mould mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae). Males or females of B. mali of five ages (i.e. 2, 10, 18, 26, and 34-day-old) were exposed to seven prey densities ranging between 10 and 160 eggs for 24 h. We employed logistic regression and Hassell’s model to determine the type and parameters of functional response, respectively. Across all ages, both male and female B. mali exhibited a Type III functional response. The handling time (T h ) for 10-day-old adult males was the shortest, i.e. 0.0114 days, indicating their highest efficiency at this age. In contrast, the handling times for 34 and 10-day-old female adults were shorter, i.e. 0.0070 and 0.0072 days, respectively, indicating that female B. mali were more efficient at these ages. The estimated maximum predation rate, calculated by dividing the assay duration (T) by the handling time (T h ), varied with age in females but remained unchanged in males. Overall, both adult males and females of B. mali have the potential to serve as effective biological control agents for T. putrescentiae throughout their life cycle.

ABSTRACTStorage mites consume stored products in interaction with environmental microorganisms, resulting in the destruction of infested food and providing specific odours. Here we simulated the effect of mite grazing on oat flakes. Spent growth medium (SPGM) was obtained from seven mite cultures and mixed with oat flakes as the source of faeces and microbes. SPGM‐treated diets were offered to 4 mite cultures. The microbiomes were analysed using sequencing of V4_16S_DNA. Mite growth tests, food preferences, and microbiome changes were observed in correlation with SPGM type and mite cultures. The microbiome consisted of 41 OTUs belonging to mite‐associated bacteria and faeces bacteria. The composition of the microbiome depends more on the source of SPGM than on mite culture. The SPGM diet accelerated mite population growth and influenced mite food choice, although the effect was dependent on both types of SPGM and mite culture. Kocuria, Brevibacterium, Virgibacillus, and Staphylococcus profiles in SPGM added into diets showed positive correlations to mite population growth. The Kocuria profile in the bodies of mites was positively correlated with mite population growth. The results showed that mites are influenced by SPGM‐treated diets, and mite feeding influences the environmental microbiome. The most beneficial was the mite interaction with Kocuria.

Predatory mites, particularly those of the Phytoseiidae family, play a key role in sustainable pest management by reducing pest populations and minimizing reliance on chemical pesticides. Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a generalist predator, with great potential for controlling noxious agricultural pests. However, large-scale rearing of A. largoensis remains a challenge due to the lack of an efficient mass-production system. This study aimed to select a factitious prey species from the order Astigmata that could support the mass-rearing of A. largoensis. Four Astigmata species (Carpoglyphus lactis L., Thyreophagus crasentiseta Barbosa, OConnor & Moraes, Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank, and Glycycometus aff. molitor Volgin & Akimov) were evaluated for their ability to sustain the predator's survival, development, and reproduction. Tetranychus urticae Koch, a well-established natural prey, was used as a control. Bioassays assessed the growth rates of A. largoensis when fed exclusively on each prey species. The results showed that C. lactis supported survival and reproduction rates comparable to T. urticae, with an intrinsic growth rate favorable for mass-rearing. The other prey proved unsuitable for A. largoensis mass-rearing. Additionally, C. lactis offers practical advantages as it is easy to rearing, thrives on simple and inexpensive food sources, and allows for continuous predator production. This study highlights the potential of C. lactis as a viable factitious prey for the large-scale production of A. largoensis, contributing to the diversification of biological control strategies. Future research should focus on optimizing rearing protocols and field evaluation to validate the effectiveness of A. largoensis as a biocontrol agent in tropical and subtropical regions.

Acarus siro L. and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) are cosmopolitan mite species in food storage and processing environments, infesting a wide variety of commodities. In the current study, the diatomaceous earths (DEs) InsectoSec and Fossil Shield were evaluated for wheat protection against adults, larvae, and nymphs of A. siro and T. putrescentiae. Both DEs were examined at 200 and 500 ppm at 1, 2, and 5 days post-exposure. The efficacy of both formulations against A. siro and T. putrescentiae life stages depended on dose and exposure. Mortality of A. siro reached 100% in larvae, 99.3% in nymphs, and 95.6% in adults by day 5 at 500 ppm of InsectoSec. Similarly, Fossil Shield achieved almost complete larval mortality (99.3%) of A. siro at 500 ppm. For T. putrescentiae, 100% mortality was observed for larvae at both doses of InsectoSec and for adults or nymphs at 500 ppm by the fifth day. Fossil Shield caused a similar mortality to larvae, reaching 97.0% and 100%, at 200 and 500 ppm, respectively, after 5 days. Our findings indicate that InsectoSec and Fossil Shield can be used as sustainable management tools against A. siro and T. putrescentiae.

ABSTRACT Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), the generalist phytoseiid predatory mites, is an effective biocontrol agent. In our experiments, N. cucumeris was reared on the astigmatid mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) as a factitious prey that was fed with oilseeds including walnut (TWA), coconut (TCO), flax (TFL), soybean (TSO), corn (TCR), sesame (TSE), rapeseed (TRA), pumpkin (TPU), peanut (TPE), sunflower (TSU), castor bean (TCA), and almond (TAL) mixed with wheat bran and flour. This approach was based on the hypothesis that oilseeds, rich in essential fatty acids and nutrients, could enhance the nutritional quality of the factitious prey, thereby improving the development, reproduction, or overall fitness of N. cucumeris. In the next step, the effects of diets enriched by these oilseeds were evaluated on the performance of N. cucumeris. The results showed that N. cucumeris could not be reared on the aforementioned diets when fed on them directly, but it had a higher performance when fed on the prey reared on the enriched diets compared with the base diet (wheat bran + flour). According to the intrinsic rate of increase (r), the diets of TWA followed by TCO, TFL, TSO, TCR, TSE, and TRA were the most suitable diets for rearing N. cucumeris, while the diets of TAL, TCA, and TSU should not be recommended for this purpose. Other tested diets were in the intermediate position in terms of their impact on N. cucumeris. Other tested diets were intermediate in terms of their impact on N. cucumeris.

Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley) (Acari: Laelapidae) is a generalist predatory mite widely used in biological control due to its effectiveness against various soil-dwelling pests. Optimising rearing methods for S. scimitus is essential to enhance its efficacy and cost-effectiveness as a biocontrol agent. The moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and mould mite Tyrophagus curvipenis Fain &amp; Fauvel (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) are pests of stored products but are also used in the rearing of arthropod predators. This study investigates the impact of diet switching on the short-term performance of S. scimitus adults when transitioning between these two factitious prey: E. kuehniella eggs and T. curvipenis adults. Prey consumption and oviposition were measured across three diet regimes: continuous feeding on E. kuehniella eggs, continuous feeding on T. curvipenis, and switching diet between the two prey species. The results indicated that diet switching significantly reduced both prey consumption and oviposition compared to a consistent diet, highlighting the importance of diet history in the practical application of S. scimitus for pest management. This study underscores the need for careful consideration of diet transitions between rearing conditions and releasing in the field to maintain the predator’s efficacy in biological control programmes.