Thiago F Martins, Simone M Simons, Caio Monteiro, Haile D F Chagas, Rafael A Carvalho, Arthur M Santana, Darci M Barros-Battesti, Glauber M B de Oliveira, Livio M Costa-Junior, Marcelo B Labruna, Hermes R Luz
{"title":"Conspecific hyperparasitism in two Ornithodoros species (Ixodida: Argasidae) endemic to Brazil, and interspecific hyperparasitism between Amblyomma sculptum and Rhipicephalus microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae).","authors":"Thiago F Martins, Simone M Simons, Caio Monteiro, Haile D F Chagas, Rafael A Carvalho, Arthur M Santana, Darci M Barros-Battesti, Glauber M B de Oliveira, Livio M Costa-Junior, Marcelo B Labruna, Hermes R Luz","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01025-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10493-025-01025-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hyperparasitism has been observed in soft and hard tick species around the world. In Brazil, the phenomenon of hyperparasitism has only been observed conspecifically in hard ticks of the genus Amblyomma. In the present study, we report unprecedented cases of hyperparasitism in soft and hard ticks. Conspecific hyperparasitism is reported for Ornithodoros fonsecai and Ornithodoros tabajara, while interspecific hyperparasitism is reported for Amblyomma sculptum on Rhipicephalus microplus.</p>","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"95 1","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144110265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The immune response of Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to the bacterial pathogen Acaricomes phytoseiuli.","authors":"Yu Chen, Endong Wang, Xuenong Xu, Bo Zhang","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01023-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10493-025-01023-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The natural immune system of arthropods is an important defense against pathogen infection. Predatory mites, as a highly commercialized group of natural enemies, suffer the threat of pathogen infection during mass rearing processes. However, there is a lack of research on the immune mechanisms of predatory mites in response to pathogen infection. To explore whether the Phytoseiulus persimilis possesses a natural immune response to pathogen, we selected the typical Gram-positive bacterium Acaricomes phytoseiuli to examine the pathogenic impact on P. persimilis fitness and the potential immune-related genes. The results showed that the survival rate, fecundity and predation of P. persimilis were significantly reduced after infection with A. phytoseiuli. Furthermore, fluorescent in situ hybridization was used to identify the pathogen enriched in the ovary and intestinal tract of P. persimilis. To further investigate the natural immune defense of P. persimilis, we analyzed the expression of twelve immune genes selected from the transcriptome. The results showed that the expression levels of four genes, tok, HPB, DUOX, and Peroxidase, were upregulated after one day of pathogen infection. While the expression of other genes showed no significant differences in either the 1st day or 3rd day. Our study provide preliminary exploration of natural immune mechanism of phytoseiid mites, laying a theoretical foundation for further their disease resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"95 1","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144110267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anna Obiegala, Nina Król, Lara M I Heyse, Martin Pfeffer, Martina Montini, Santiago Nava, Patrick S Sebastian
{"title":"A silicon-membrane based artificial feeding system for Amblyomma sculptum nymphs.","authors":"Anna Obiegala, Nina Król, Lara M I Heyse, Martin Pfeffer, Martina Montini, Santiago Nava, Patrick S Sebastian","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01026-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10493-025-01026-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of the study was to establish an artificial feeding system (AFS), based on silicon membranes, for Amblyomma sculptum nymphs and compare it to classical feeding systems using laboratory animals. Three cohorts of 60 nymphs were fed on a rabbit, calf, and with the newly established AFS using prewarmed (38 °C) defibrinated bovine blood. The attachment rate (38.3%) as well as the engorgement rate (36.7%) in the AFS were both significantly lower (p = 0.0001; p = 0.0002) than in the animal-based feeding systems (73.3-85%). Subsequent development of engorged nymphs was similar regarding engorgement weight (11.96-16.3 mg) and subsequent molting (78.3-100%) into adults in all three cohorts. The main limitations of the AFS are the low attachment and engorgement rates, which require further optimization to enhance initial attraction to the membrane, for instance, by adding external attractants to the membrane or stimulating agents such as ATP to the bovine blood. Despite these limitations, the developed AFS provides a valuable tool for future research on ticks, tick-borne diseases and drug efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"94 4","pages":"57"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144075886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fábio Júnior de Oliveira, Paulo Roberto Silva Farias, Aloyséia Cristina da Silva Noronha, Walter Maldonado Junior, Luiz Antonio Soares Cardoso
{"title":"Sequential sampling of the citrus leprosis mite in different cultivation systems in the Eastern Amazon.","authors":"Fábio Júnior de Oliveira, Paulo Roberto Silva Farias, Aloyséia Cristina da Silva Noronha, Walter Maldonado Junior, Luiz Antonio Soares Cardoso","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01024-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10493-025-01024-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Citrus leprosis is a major viral disease transmitted by the citrus leprosis mite (Brevipalpus spp.), causing significant economic losses in Brazilian citrus farming. This study developed a sequential sampling plan for Brevipalpus spp. in two citrus cultivation systems. Two plots in an orange orchard ('Pêra Rio' variety) in Capitão Poço, Pará, Brazil, were selected: one under monoculture and the other intercropped with teak. Monthly sampling from September 2015 to August 2016 involved 112 georeferenced plants per plot. Mite counts were performed on six fruits, branches, and leaves from both inner and outer plant parts using a 10 × pocket lens. Aggregation indices, including variance-to-mean ratio, Morisita's index, Green's coefficient, and Taylor's power law, revealed an aggregated distribution for all variables. The k parameter of the negative binomial distribution confirmed aggregation, and this model provided the best fit for both systems. The sequential sampling plan determined that the maximum expected sampling units for decision-making is 21 mites per plant and 28 mites per six branches in both systems. These thresholds were established based on the observed distribution pattern and aim to enhance monitoring efficiency. Although these values may seem low, they indicate the infestation level at which control measures should be implemented to prevent economic losses. These findings contribute to improved monitoring strategies for Brevipalpus spp. in citrus orchards, supporting more effective pest management.</p>","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"94 4","pages":"56"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144076267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michał Marciniak, Filip Bałuszyński, Magdalena Felska
{"title":"Contribution to the knowledge of the host spectrum of Trombidium brevimanum- data from laboratory experiment and field studies.","authors":"Michał Marciniak, Filip Bałuszyński, Magdalena Felska","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01021-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10493-025-01021-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Knowledge of host range and of host specificity is often based on limited evidence and needs critical reappraisal. Trombidium brevimanum (Trombidiidae) host range is considered to be restricted to arachnids and, according to the published field data, encompasses 29 species of spiders assigned to nine families, and two species of pseudoscorpions representing the family Neobisiidae. To further understand the parasite-host interactions between T. brevimanum and its hosts, laboratory reared larvae were experimentally exposed to various species of field-collected spiders and field-collected or laboratory-reared false scorpions. Further development of specimen after termination of parasitic phase constituted the criterion of host suitability. Out of 86 analyzed spider (67 genera, 25 families) and six pseudoscorpion species (five genera and three families), altogether 36 species were found to be suitable hosts, of which 31 species (27 genera, 16 families) are reported new host-parasite associations. Hitherto unrecorded associations pertained to the members of Agelenidae, Anyphaenidae, Cheiracanthiidae, Cicurinidae, Gnaphosidae, Pholcidae, Salticidae (Araneae), and Cheliferidae (Pseudoscorpiones). The hosts of T. brevimanum include spiders with different hunting strategies. Data relating to measures of host-parasite interactions like intensity of infestation, attachment site preferences, and duration of parasitism are summarized. Potential factors influencing the actual host spectrum of T. brevimanum are discussed. We hypothesize that the host species influences the body color of the mites.</p>","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"94 4","pages":"55"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143978172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characterization of a uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferase gene associated with abamectin resistance in two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae.","authors":"Guifeng Hao, Qing Chen, Ying Liu, Chunling Wu, Xingkui An, Ijiti Oluwole Gregory, Xiao Liang","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01020-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10493-025-01020-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferase (UGT) belongs to detoxification enzyme glycosylating lipophilic xenobiotic compounds in various living organisms. Tetranychus urticae is a notorious pest due to its significant threat to crop production and serious resistance problem worldwide. However, the function of UGT gene in contributing to pesticide resistance in T. urticae remained largely unknown. In this study, it was found that the laboratory selected abamectin-resistant (AbR) strain had developed over 20,000-fold resistance compared with the susceptible strain (SS). After being treated with abamectin, the activities of UGTs, and the transcription of TuUGT201D3 in the AbR strain were significantly higher than those in SS. Molecular docking indicated that the UGT201D3 protein exhibited high binding capacity with abamectin, suggesting the potential interaction between them. Furthermore, knock-down the transcription of TuUGT201D3 led to the decrease of activities of UGTs, in addition, the mortalities of AbR strain (58.4%) will significantly increase compared to control (41.1%) under 48 h of abamectin treatment. Those findings elucidated that TuUGT201D3 was correlated with abamectin resistance in T. urticae.</p>","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"94 4","pages":"53"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144004738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Age-dependent mutual interference of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on two-spotted spider mite.","authors":"Mahsa Nouri-Miri, Katayoon Kheradmand, Yaghoub Fathipour","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01022-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10493-025-01022-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is one of the main predators belonging to the family Phytoseiidae classified as a type II generalist predator that has been used to control greenhouse pests such as thrips, eriophyids, and spider mites. One of the significant ways to recognize the efficacy of the phytoseiid predatory mites is the study of their foraging behavior. Mutual interference is a negative relationship between a predator's searching efficiency and its density. This study appraised the effect of the age-dependent mutual interference of N. californicus on larvae and nymphs of Tetranychus urticae Koch under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1℃, 70 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16 L: 8D h. To determine the per capita searching efficiency and interference coefficient, Nicholson's model and linear regression were used, respectively. The results showed that the total predation of N. californicus reared on T. urticae nymphs was significantly affected by predator density and age. In addition, per capita searching efficiency of the predator significantly declined with predator density, which is the result of mutual interference. Furthermore, the slope of the linear regression (m) between the logarithm of per capita searching efficiency and the logarithm of the predator density increased, ranging from - 0.465 in 5-day-old individuals to -0.1452 in 40-day-old individuals. The negative effects of mutual interference decreased along with growing age. Our findings showed that in different tested ages, the rate of interference among adults differed compared to immature individuals. These results suggest that age-specific differences in mutual interference should be considered when optimizing the mass rearing and field release of predators for the biological control of T. urticae.</p>","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"94 4","pages":"54"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144063031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Transecting and contrasting the feeding designs of the astigmatan community from bird nests.","authors":"Clive E Bowman","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01014-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-025-01014-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The chelal moveable digit patterns of seventeen free-living astigmatan mites commonly found in bird nests is decomposed (for the first time) into functional groups using standardised profiles. Contrasts along the mastication surface are used to detect trophic features so as to explain the coexistence of different species in that community. Variation in profiles in general track geometric similarity changes in chelicerae and chelae, except in the moveable digit design transition between Thyreophagus entomophagus TH3 and Lepidoglyphus destructor G6. Full-kerf (Aleuroglyphus ovatus AL2 and Chortoglyphus arcuatus CH1) and particularly thin-kerf (Acarus farris A17) species are found. Both the moveable 'digit tip angle' and the angular bluntness of the anterior region (on which the tip sits, denoted the 'distal digit angle'), mirror digit robustification.Ventral surface intrinsic curvature of the moveable digit appears common across species. Acarus gracilis A4, Glycyphagus domesticus G5 and Lepidoglyphus destructor G6 have more than expected strengthened digit tips compared to other taxa. Rates of this strengthening with chelal occlusive force varies across species. With respect to the whole moveable digit profile a design transition from glycyphagids through acarids to pyroglyphids is found, along with an evolutionary path amongst pest species (Rhizoglyphus robini R1, through Tyrophagus longior T40, to Tyrophagus putrescentiae T13). Acarus gracilis A4 appears unique. In particular Tyrophagus palmarum T17 & T32 and Tyrophagus similis T21 & T44 are indistinguishable from replicates of each other and typify a basal form Tyrophagus longior T40, Tyrophagus putrescentiae T13, Acarus immobilis A1, Tyrolichus casei T62 and Acarus farris A17 are only mildly different from the observed scale of sampling variation of the basal overall profile form in this study Two design groups of ever increasing post-horizontal ramus investment are clear, with the basal rami of Chortoglyphus arcuatus CH1, Thyreophagus entomophagus TH3, Rhizoglyphus robini R1, Glycometrus hugheseae G3 and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus D3 being taller and sometimes more rounded than those of the distinct group Acarus gracilis A4, Suidasia pontifica S5, Glycyphagus domesticus G5, Lepidoglyphus destructor G6 and Aleuroglyphus ovatus AL2. The bulk of the bird nest astigmatan species have a common profile pattern of apparent asperities on their mastication surface. Although, two species, Rhizoglyphus robini R1 and Chortoglyphus arcuatus CH1, have somewhat exaggerated features on this common 'Bauplan' (perhaps scaled for greater adductive force). Certain species: Acarus immobilis A1, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus D3, Glycometrus hugheseae G3, Glycyphagus domesticus G5, Lepidoglyphus destructor G6 and Tyrophagus putrescentiae T13, have an individualised distinctly featured mastication surface. These species must each feed differently or on different material in bird nests. Basal ramus and chel","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"94 3","pages":"52"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12000161/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143993868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction: Bionomics and ecological characteristics of hard ticks of Ixodidae in Fars province, southwestern Iran.","authors":"Zahra Nasiri, Hamzeh Alipour, Mohsen Kalantari, Aboozar Soltani, Asadollah Hosseini-Chegeni, Sorna Dabaghmanesh, Saideh Yousefi, Kourosh Azizi","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01019-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-025-01019-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"94 3","pages":"48"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143971269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andeliza Smit, Stephen Mandara, Zinathi Dlamkile, Darshana Morar-Leather, Anna-Mari Bosman, Luis Neves
{"title":"First detection of Amblyomma lepidum (Dönitz, 1909) in Zimbabwe.","authors":"Andeliza Smit, Stephen Mandara, Zinathi Dlamkile, Darshana Morar-Leather, Anna-Mari Bosman, Luis Neves","doi":"10.1007/s10493-025-01017-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-025-01017-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Herewith we present the first detection of Amblyomma lepidum (Dönitz, 1909) on cattle in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's smallholder farmers rely heavily on their livestock, mainly cattle and goats. Even though great importance is placed on cattle farming, no systematic surveillance of tick and tick-borne diseases is currently being conducted in the country. Forming part of the Amblyomma genus, A. lepidum is a brightly ornate tick with great vector potential, which could have harmful effects on cattle and cattle farming in Zimbabwe. This report documents the presence of both male and female A. lepidum ticks that were morphologically identified, and with the use of two ribosomal genes, were molecularly characterised as A. lepidum. Hypotheses can be made as to how this tick was introduced into Zimbabwe; however, its presence highlights the need for a systematic surveillance programme to track not only new introductions, such as the aforementioned, but the current distribution of this tick population in Zimbabwe.</p>","PeriodicalId":12088,"journal":{"name":"Experimental and Applied Acarology","volume":"94 3","pages":"50"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11985559/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143973648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}