Integrated taxonomy supports the identification of some species of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Georgia

The present study reports results of a survey carried out mostly on Citrus sp. and Rubus sp. in Georgia. Morphological and molecular (12S rRNA, COI and CytB mtDNA markers) data were analysed in a framework of integrative taxonomy. Eleven species were identified and among them seven are new for the Georgian fauna. Euseius stipulatus and Phytoseius finitimus were the most abundant species during this survey. We assume that Amblyseius eharai, only reported from eastern Asia, was most probably introduced. Neoseiulus californicus, retrieved from uncultivated vegetation, was almost certainly originating from commercial strains. DNA sequences comparisons disclosed phylogenetic closeness between Amblyseius andersoni and Transeius wainsteini, despite these species (i) being morphologically well differentiated and (ii) classified in different genera, thereby questioning the reliability of the genus Transeius. General morphological characters, including measurements, are provided for species for which diagnoses were doubtful.

A Preliminary Assessment of Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) as a Potential Biocontrol Agent against Phytophagous Mites Occurring on Coniferous Plants

Development, survival and reproduction of Ambyseius andersoni (Chant), a predatory mite widely distributed in Europe, were assessed on different food items. These included two key pests of ornamental coniferous plants, i.e., Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) and Pentamerismus taxi (Haller) and pollen of Pinus sylvestris L. The rationale behind these experiments was to provide a preliminary assessment of the potential of A. andersoni as a biocontrol agent of the above phytophagous arthropods and evaluate pine pollen as an alternative food source for the predator. Under laboratory conditions (23 ± 0.5 °C, 70 ± 10% RH and 16L:8D) A. andersoni was able to feed, develop and reproduce on all tested diets. The shortest development time (egg to female) was obtained when the predator fed on P. taxi (mean = 5.12 d) and the longest was on pine pollen (mean = 6.55 d). The rm value was significantly higher on both tested prey (0.166 on P. taxi and 0.160 on O. ununguis) than on pollen (0.139). Thus, we do not recommend pine pollen for mass rearing of A. andersoni; however, we conclude that pollen may provide sufficient sustenance for the predator population under field conditions when prey are absent. The potential of A. andersoni as a biocontrol agent of O. ununguis and P. taxi is discussed.

The assessment of resistance of the acarocomplex formed on apple tree against the background of pesticide treatments

Клещи-фитофаги ежегодно наносят существенный вред промышленным плодовым культурам, наиболее повреждаемой из них является яблоня. Многократное применение химических препаратов в защите от вредителей не только оказывает пестицидный прессинг на агроценоз, но и нарушает экосистему плодовых насаждений, что проявляется в смене одних видов другими, влияет на биоразнообразие, снижает численность полезных членистоногих и приводит к появлению резистентных к пестицидам рас клещей. Целью исследований являлась разработка и испытание системы защиты интенсивных яблоневых садов Красногвардейского и Нижнегорского районов Республики Крым от клещей сем. Tetranychidae - боярышникового Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher), красного плодового Panonychus ulmi (Koch) с помощью хищных клещей-фитосейид Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot), Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) и Amblyseius andersoni (Chant). Производственные испытания системы проводились в 2019-2020 гг. на участках, где в 2015-2018 гг. был сформирован акарокомплекс методами наводнения и сезонной колонизации. После формирования акарокомплекса была проведена оценка его устойчивости к токсическому действию применяемых в хозяйствах средств защиты растений. Исследованиями установлено, что сформированный в течение трех лет акарокомплекс хищных клещей позволил снизить численность диапаузирующих самок A. viennensis на 87 % и плотность популяции вредителей в летний период, предотвратить вспышку численности фитофагов в весенний период 2019-2020 гг. Доказано, что препарат из класса пиретроидов с действующим веществом тау-флювалинат снижает численность хищников на 99 %. Частичное восстановление плотности популяции за счет миграции аборигенных видов хищников наблюдалось через 2-3 месяца. Вспышка численности клещей-фитофагов на участках, где был сформирован акарокомплекс хищных клещей, происходит из-за применения токсичных для них препаратов и появления резистентных к акарицидам рас клещей-фитофагов. Phytophagous mites annually cause significant damage to commercial fruit crops, the most damaged of which is the apple tree. Repeated use of chemical preparations in protection against pests does not only exert pesticide pressure on agrocenosis, but also affects the ecosystem of fruit plantings, replacing one species with others, influencing biodiversity, reducing the number of helpful arthropods and causing the emergence of pesticide-resistant mite races. The aim of the research was to develop and test the system of protecting intensive apple orchards of Krasnogvardeisky and Nizhnegorsky districts of the Republic of Crimea from mites of Tetranychidae family - hawthorn mite Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher), European red mite Panonychus ulmi (Koch) with the help of predatory phytoseiidae mites Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot), Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) and Amblyseius andersoni (Chant). In-process system tests were carried out in 2019-2020 on plots where in 2015-2018 the acarocomplex was formed using methods of population development and seasonal colonization. After the acarocomplex formation, an assessment of its resistance to toxic effect of plant protecting agents used in farms was carried out. The studies confirmed that the acarocomplex of predatory mites developed in three years allowed to reduce the number of diapausing females of A. viennensis by 87% and the pest population density in the summer period, to prevent outbreak of phytophagous population in the spring period of 2019-2020. It was proven that pyrethroid class preparation with the active ingredient tau-fluvalinat reduced the number of predators by 99%. Partial recovery of the population density due to the migration of native species of predators was observed in 2-3 months. Outbreak of the number of phytophagous mites on the plots where the acarocomplex of predatory mites was developed was due to the use of toxic preparations and the appearance of resistant to acaricides phytophagous mite races.

Functional response of Amblyseius andersoni and Neoseiulus neoreticuloides (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to adults of the wolfberry gall mite Aceria pallida (Acari: Eriophyoidae)

The gall mite, Aceria pallida Keifer (Acari: Eriophyoidae) is an economically important pest of wolfberry Lycium barbarum L. and can cause significant losses to plant production. Two species of phytoseiid predatory mites, Amblyseius andersoni Chant and Neoseiulus neoreticuloides Liang & Hu were found on L. barbarum in Bayan Nur city, Inner Mongolia, China. We assessed the potential of these two phytoseiid species as biological control agents against A. pallida, using functional response experiments with seven prey densities (5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 adults of A. pallida) on a wolfberry leaf under 25ºC ± 1ºC, 60% ± 5% RH and a 16:8 h (L:D) photoperiod. Overall, the predation of both species increased with increase in prey density. The consumption of A. andersoni female was significantly greater than that of conspecific males and N. neoreticuloides female at high prey densities. Both phytoseiid species displayed a type II functional response to A. pallida. Female A. andersoni had a higher attack rate (5.961) and a shorter handling time (0.014 d) than male A. andersoni (1.619; 0.019 d) and female N. neoreticuloides (0.719; 0.023 d). The maximum attack rate (T/Th) was estimated to be 71.43 and 52.63 for female and male A. andersoni, respectively, while it was 43.48 for female N. neoreticuloides. Both female and male A. andersoni consistently consumed significantly more prey than N. neoreticuloides across all densities of A. pallida adults.

Untersuchungen zum Vorkommen der Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) und Roten Spinne, Panonychus ulmi im Südtiroler Apfelanbau

Von 2014 bis 2017 wurden intensive Untersuchungen zum Raubmilbenvorkommen (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) und Auftreten der Roten Spinne Panonychus ulmi (Prostigmata: Tetranychidae) in ausgewählten Apfelanalgen in Südtirol (Italien) angestellt. Die Populationsdichten der Milben wurden wiederholt an bis zu 50 Standorten im Etschtal und Vinschgau erhoben. In 27 Apfelanlagen wurde im Verlauf der Jahre 2015-2017 die Artenzusammensetzung blattbesiedelnder sowie an Aststrukturen überwinternder Raubmilben eingehend untersucht. Insgesamt wurden 5581 Raubmilben einer morphologischen Artbestimmung unterzogen. Sechs Phytoseiiden-Arten wurden nachgewiesen. Amblyseius andersoni (Chant 1957) konnte an allen Untersuchungstandorten gefunden werden und wies eine Individuendominanz von 80% auf. Ein permanentes Vorkommen von Typhlodromus pyri (Scheuten 1857) und Euseius finlandicus (Oudemans 1915) wurde an 18,5% bzw. 7,4% der Standorte festgestellt. Kampimodromus aberrans (Oudemans 1930), Paraseiulus talbii (Athias-Henriot 1960) und Typhlodromus bakeri (Garman 1948) wurden sporadisch nachgewiesen. Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor 1954) wurde erstmals am Apfel in Südtirol nachgewiesen. Der P. ulmi-Befall im Untersuchungsgebiet erwies sich, sofern gegeben, als äußerst gering. Eine wesentliche Zunahme der Populationsdichten von P. ulmi und eine diesbezügliche Schadwirkung wurden nicht festgestellt.

Selection for resistance to acequinocyl in Amblyseius andersoni(Chant) (Anactinotrichida: Phytoseiidae)

Większośćpestycydów stosowanych w zwalczaniu szkod-ników w sadach jest szkodliwa dla pożytecznych stawonogów. Wyselekcjonowanie drapieżców i parazytoidów odpornych na chemiczne środki ochrony roślin mogłoby przyczynić się do ich lepszego wykorzystania w uprawach, w których stosowanie pestycydów jest konieczne. Celem niniejszej pracy była selekcja linii drapieżnego roztocza Amblyseius andersoni odpornej na ace-kwinocyl – akarycyd należący do grupy inhibi-torów transportu elektronów w kompleksie III mitochondrialnego łańcucha oddechowego. Jako dawkę selekcyjną zastosowano stężenie pesty-cydu powodujące śmiertelność 55–65% zapłod-nionych samic drapieżcy. U wyselekcjonowanej laboratoryjnie linii odnotowano dziewięciokrotny wzrost oporności na acekwinocyl po dwóch cy-klach selekcyjnych i ponad 30-krotny wzrost po czterech cyklach. Wyselekcjonowana populacja A. andersoni rozwinęła również umiarkowanąoporność krzyżową na fenpiroksymat.

The genus Amblyseius Berlese (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Turkey with discussion on the identity of Amblyseius meridionalis

Surveys were conducted to assess Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesositgmata) diversity in various habitats and ecosystems (including natural and agricultural areas) since 2008 in Turkey. This paper aims to provide a review of the Turkish species belonging to genus Amblyseius Berlese (Acari: Phytoseiidae) based on materials collected during these surveys as well as previous records. As a result, A. nemorivagus Athias-Henriot was found for the first time for Turkish fauna. In addition, unknown male of A. bryophilus Karg is described and illustrated. A revised identification key is provided for the 13 Amblyseius species found in Turkey. Validity of some previous Turkish records, and identity of A. meridionalis Berlese, are discussed. There are series of discrete species reported under the name A. meridionalis, none of them truly match with the original description in terms of shape of ventrianal shield. Our results indicated that A. kadzhajai Gomelauri, A. meridionalis, A. nemorivagus and A. obtusus (Koch) sensu Karg, were found only on moss. Amblyseius andersoni (Chant), A. herbicolus (Chant) and A. swirskii Athias-Henriot are common in agricultural ecosystems or higher plants. According to results, there is a different geographic distribution between these three species; A. swirskii is reported only from east Mediterranean, while A. herbicolus only from North-East (Black Sea region), A. andersoni is common in western Turkey. Only a few specimens of Amblyseius adjaricus Wainstein & Vartapetov and A. bryophilus were collected, from cultivated plants from Black Sea region. Therefore, potential of Turkish populations of these five species and their using possibilities in biological control are warranted in Turkey.

Effects of temperature on a Chinese population of Amblyseius andersoni (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed with Tetranychus urticae

The development and fecundity of Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) fed with Tetranychus urticae Koch was studied at five different temperatures (17, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) and life parameters of the population were calculated. The development, reproduction, longevity, and life table parameters of A. andersoni were significantly affected by the different temperatures. The duration of the egg, larval, protonymph, deutonymph and total immature stages were reduced when the temperature increased. The total oviposition of A. andersoni was highest at 25 °C and lowest at 35 °C, and the daily average oviposition increased as the temperature increased, but few eggs were laid at 17 °C. The values of the intrinsic rate of increase (rm, 0.108--0.200), net reproduction rate (R0, 18.71--36.47) and the mean generation time (T, 14.68--29.73) significantly differed among the five temperatures. The highest net reproduction rate (R0 = 36.47) was obtained at 25 °C. The results of this study indicated that A. andersoni has a high inherent potential for the control of the T. urticae at certain temperatures.

Intraguild aggressiveness between an alien and a native predatory mite

The predatory mite Amblydromalus limonicus, non-native in Europe, can be used legally in several European countries as greenhouse biocontrol agent against thrips species, although this species is also able to feed on whiteflies and gall mites. The first record of the unintended occurrence of A. limonicus in apple orchards in Europe comes from Catalonia (Spain), where A. limonicus is well established in the native predatory mite community since 2011. The dominant species in this community is Amblyseius andersoni, which has a similar life-style as A. limonicus (large, aggressive predator with broad diet range) making intraguild (IG) interactions between the two predators likely. Thus, we tested the IG aggressiveness of native and alien female predators, when provided with IG prey (larvae). Alien females of A. limonicus proved to be highly aggressive IG predators against native larvae of A. andersoni, which were attacked earlier and more frequently than alien larvae by the native predator. Nearly all attacks by the alien predator resulted in the death of native IG prey, whereas about 10% of the alien intraguild prey escaped the attacks of the native predator. Additionally, native IG prey is smaller than alien prey, which should facilitate the overwhelming by the alien predator. We argue that the strong aggressive intraguild behavior of A. limonicus is contributing to its establishment success in the native predatory mite community.

To the species composition of Phytoseiid mites (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) of the National Nature Park "Ichnyansky"(Chernigiv Region, Ukraine)

New data on the species composition and distribution of phytoseiid mites (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) in plant associations of the National Nature Park “Ichnyansky” were obtained. Twenty species from 9 genera of the family Phytoseiidae are recorded: Amblyseius andersoni, Amblyseius herbarius, Amblyseius obtusus, Amblyseius rademacheri, Neoseiulus danilevskyi, Neoseiulus reductus, Neoseiulus zwoelferi, Euseius finlandicus, Kampimodromus aberrans, Kampimodromu corylosus, Dubininellus echinus, Dubininellus juvenis, Typhloctonus tiliarum, Amlydromella halinae, Amlydromella pirianykae, Amlydromella rhenana, Amlydromella clavata, Amlydromella verrucosa, Typhlodromus laurae, Galendromus longipilus. The calculation of the occurrence index (P1, %) of the identified species of phytoseiid showed that its maximum value is observed in E. finlandicus. This species is also the most numerous in the total number of collected specimens in the sample. Kampimodromus aberrans, D. juvenis, G. longipilus, K. corylosus, N. danilevskyi, N. zwoelferi and T. tiliarum should be considered as the most rarely encountered species with index of occurrence of 1.3%. The remaining species have intermediate values of this index. The analysis of literature data on the occurrence of phytoseiid species with the highest value of the index of occurrence (E. finlandicus, A. pirianykae and A. andersoni) in the plant associations of adjacent zones (Polesie and Steppe Zone) allowed us to reveal some regularities. In Polesie, E. finlandicus (Kolodochka, 2011) is the most common species. In the Steppe zone, E. finlandicus also has a high index of occurrence and is the third most common species of predatory phytoseiid mites. Such a high occurrence of this species is caused by a wide range of its potential victims. Euseius finlandicus is an euribiont, however more adapted to shrub vegetation. The decrease in the occurrence index of this species from Polesie to the Steppe Zone is explained by changes in the moisture content of biocenoses, as well as due to the gradual replacement of tree-shrub vegetation of grass. Amlydromella pirianykae and Amblyseius andersoni are found mainly on herbs. The detection of these species on trees and shrubs should be considered as incidental finds. The characteristic biocenoses for these species are the wet bayrachnye forests, floodplains of rivers, meadows. When choosing a biocenosis for habitat, humidity plays a key role. The analysis of the phytoseiid mites species complex in the plant associations of the Ichnyansky National Natural Park showed the presence of one dominant species, one subdominant, five types of first order subdominant and 13 minor community members in the community.