Brevipalpus Species Vectoring Citrus Leprosis Virus (Cilevirus and Dichorhavirus)

Citrus leprosis (CL) is one of the most devastating viral diseases of orchards, and industries correspondingly invest highly in the management and control of the virus vector. In Brazil, the disease is caused most predominantly by the citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C, Kitaviridae: Cilevirus), and also by citrus leprosis virus N (CiLV-N, Rhabdoviridae: Dichorhavirus). Both viruses are transmitted by false spider mites and at least three different species, Brevipalpus yothersi Baker, B. papayensis Baker, and B. phoenicis (Geijskes) sensu stricto, have been reported in citrus orchards. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the capacity of three Brevipalpus species to transmit citrus leprosis virus (cytoplasmic and nuclear types). The capacity of false spider mites to acquire the virus was accomplished using RT–PCR and the ability to inoculation the virus to host plants (common bean and sweet orange) was assessed via viral transmission assays. Common beans infested with B. yothersi and B. papayensis showed symptoms of CiLV-C in 87.5 and 17% of the plants assessed, respectively. In sweet orange, B. yothersi was exclusively able to inoculate CiLV-C, and around 83% of samples were symptomatic. Host plants infected with CiLV-N showed symptoms only when infested with B. phoenicis sensu stricto (s.s.). All the Brevipalpus species (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) were able to acquire both viruses (CiLV-C and CiLV-N), but not infect plants. These results suggest the existence of virus-vector specificity in the leprosis pathosystem, and this information will be critical for enhancing our further understanding of epidemiological features and disease management.

Evaluation of acaricides against false spider mite, Tenuipalpus aboharensis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), a pest of pomegranate

False spider mites are serious pests of pomegranate and frequently cause considerable economic losses in other fruit crops as well. A field experiment conducted to evaluate eleven acaricides against Tenuipalpus aboharensis infesting pomegranate plants, revealed that wettable sulphur at 2.5 g and dicofol at 2.5 ml per litre were very effective and other acaricides viz. propargite, fenpyroximate, chlorfenapyr and buprofezin were also found effective against T. aboharensis.

The Tenuipalpidae (Acari: Trombidiformes) of Israel

An annotated list and key to the 26 species of phytophagous false spider mites (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) known from Israel is provided. About two thirds are exotics, having invaded Israel within the last 35 years. Eight species, namely Brevipalpus californicus, B. lewisi, B. obovatus, B. phoenicis, B. yothersi, Raoiella indica, Tenuipalpus granati and T. punicae are agricultural pests. The others have little economic impact, or are possibly controlled by natural enemies. A key to all the species is given.

The false spider mites of the genus Cenopalpus Pritchard & Baker (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Iran

Four new species of the genus Cenopalpus Pritchard and Baker are described from Iran, namely: C. rubusi sp. nov.,collected from salmonberry bushes, Rubus persicae L. (Rosaceae), Sanandaj, Kurdistan province; C. prunusi sp. nov.from plum trees, Prunus domestica L. (Rosaceae), Hamedan, Hamedan province; C. khosrowshahii sp. nov. from Sophoraalopecuroides L. (Fabaceae), Hamedan, Hamedan province; and C. quercusi sp. nov. from oak trees, Quercuscastaneifolia C.A. Mey. (Fagaceae), Robat Namaki, Lorestan province. Six species are re-described: C. saryabiensisAkbar and Chaudhri, 1985, C. lanceolatisetae (Attiah, 1956), C. irani Dosse, 1971, C. abaii Khosrowshahi and Arbabi,1997, C. bakeri Düzgünes, 1967 and C. crataegi Dosse, 1971. Of these species, C. irani reaches high population density and is widespread. A key to all known Iranian species of the genus is provided.

Three new false spider mites of the genus Pseudoleptus Bruyant (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Iran

Three new species of Pseudoleptus are described from Iran: P. hamedaniensis sp. nov. from Bromus tectorum (Poaceae),P. iranensis sp. nov. from Bromus danthoniae (Poaceae), and P. kermanshahiensis sp. nov. from Alopecurus myosuroides(Poaceae). The genus Pseudoleptus is rediagnosed and its relationship with the Aegyptobia macswaini species group discussed. A key to all known species of this genus is given.

The false spider mites of the genera Aegyptobia Sayed and Phytoptipalpus Trägårdh (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) from Iran

Two new species of the genus Aegyptobia Sayed and 1 new species of Phytoptipalpus Trägårdh are described from Iran:A. bromi sp. nov. from Bromus tectorum (Poaceae); A. nazarii sp. nov. from Poa bulbosa L. (Poaceae); and P.kurdistaniensis sp. nov. from wild rose bushes, Rosa woodsii (Rosaceae). This is the first record of Phytoptipalpus fromIran. We also redescribe Aegyptobia beglarovi Livschitz and Mitrofanov, 1967, A. persciae Khorowshahi and Arbabi,1997, A. tragardhi Sayed, 1950, and A. salicicola Al-Gboory, 1987; the latter species has only 2 anal setae and is thusmoved to Phytoptipalpus. Aegyptobia kharazii Mesa and Moraes, 2009 syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym ofAegyptobia beglarovi Livschitz and Mitrofanov, 1967; Aegyptobia ueckermanni Khorowshahi and Arbabi, 1997 syn. nov.is regarded as a junior synonym of Aegyptobia tragardhi Sayed, 1950; Aegyptobia daneshvari Parsi and Khosrowshahi,1990 syn. nov. is regarded as a junior synonym of Phytoptipalpus salicicola (Al-Gboory, 1987). A key to all known Iranian species of the genus Aegyptobia is provided.

False spider mites (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) as pests on orchids (Phalaenopsis hybrids) in Poland

False spider mites (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) as pests on orchids (Phalaenopsishybrids) in PolandSo far, no false spider mites have been reported from orchids in Poland. This paper provides information aboutTenuipalpus pacificusBaker, which was recorded for the first time in Poland, onPhalaenopsishybrids imported from China. Diagnostic characters are also given forBrevipalpus phoenicis(Geijskes), which was up to this time not found on orchids in Poland. It was earlier found on orchids only in Hawaii. The types of injuries caused by false spider mites and results of chemical control ofT. pacificuswith various acaricides are given. The best results were observed after repeated treatment with Ortus 05 SC (fenpyroximate).

Mite pests in plant crops: Current issues, inovative approaches and possibilities for controlling them

In the middle of the last century, mites moved into the focus of attention as pests relevant to agriculture, forestry and landscape horticulture, presumably in direct reaction to the 'green revolution' that involved plant cultivation in large-plot monocropping systems, improved methods of cultivation, selection of high-yielding cultivars and intensified use of pesticides and mineral fertilizers. Agroecosystems in which phytophagous mites have become harmful organisms are primarily orchards, vineyards, greenhouses, urban greeneries, plant nurseries and stored plant products, as well as annual field crops to a somewhat lesser degree. Phytophagous mite species belong to a variety of spider mites (Tetranychidae), false spider mites (Tenuipalpidae), gall and rust mites (Eriophyoidae), tarsonemid mites (Tarsonemidae) and acarid mites (Acaridae). Most of these harmful species are widespread, some of them having more economic impact than others and being more detrimental as depending on various specificities of each outdoor agroecosystem in any particular climatic region. The first segment of this overview focuses on the most significant mite pests of agroecosystems and urban horticultural areas in European countries, our own region and in Serbia today, primarily on species that have caused problems in recent years regarding plant production, and it also discusses various molecular methods available for investigating different aspects of the biology of phytophagous mites. Also, acaricides are discussed as a method of controlling mite pests in the light of the current situation and trends on pesticide markets in Serbia and the European Union member-countries.