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Mass rearing of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) using natural (prey) methods is costly and laborious, limiting its application in the biological control of pests. A high-production, low-cost method using a prey substitute would help to relieve this problem. Oulenziella bakeri Hughes (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) could be an alternative prey source, but studies on the reproductive parameters of N. californicus under rearing conditions are lacking. This study evaluated the potential of O. bakeri as an alternative prey in N. californicus rearing by comparing developmental parameters among N. californicus reared on three diets based on an age-stage two-sex life table. We found that the preoviposition period and developmental time of N. californicus did not vary based on diet. The fecundity of N. californicus adults reared on O. bakeri was 29.8 eggs per female, which was lower than that of adults reared on Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) (42.9 eggs per female); there was no significant difference between O. bakeri and apple pollen (30.2 eggs per female). The oviposition rate of mites fed on O. bakeri was 69% of that fed on T. urticae. Neoseiulus californicus reared on O. bakeri and apple pollen showed the same intrinsic rate of increase (0.25 per day), which was 86% of the rate of those fed on T. urticae. Compared with predatory mites reared on natural prey, N. californicus reared on O. bakeri had a high survival rate and good oviposition and population growth parameters, suggesting that O. bakeri is suitable for the rearing of N. californicus., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Odontoscirus nipponicus Shiba, 1985 is recorded from China and is redescribed; male, tritonymph, deutonymph, protonymph, and larva are described and illustrated for the first time. Morphological observations on the ontogeny of this species are also provided.

This paper describes the immature and mature characteristics of Amblyseius eharai Amitai & Swirski in detail to determine its morphological ontogeny based on laboratory-reared specimens. The main changes during ontogeny are as follows: the pronotal shield extends to j6 level and opisthosoma is unsclerotized in the larva; the dorsum has two shields in the protonymph, pronotal shield slightly expended comparing to that of the larva, and the opisthonotal shield smooth and weakly sclerotized. The podonotal and opisthonotal shields in the deutonymph are partially fused, and the dorsal shield is complete, covering almost the entire opisthonotum in adults in both sexes. There are nine pairs of dorsal setae in the larva, 14 pairs in the protonymph, and 19 pairs in both deutonymph and adult. In deutonymphs, gender could be distinguished by the number of setae in the area around the anal valves. In protonymphs, all dorsal, hypostomal setae, and the macrosetae of leg IV appear and are consistent with the subsequent stages. The development of morphological traits in the ontogeny of A. eharai may provide some basic knowledge to distinguish it from closely related species.

This is the first record of the genus Ljania Thor, 1898 (Axonopsinae, Aturidae, Hydrachnidiae, Acari) from China. Two new species, Ljania jini sp. nov. and Ljania guangxiensis sp. nov., are described from Guangxi Province, P. R. China. The new detections bring the total number of Chinese aturid mites to eleven species, representing seven genera.

A new species, Cornigamasus allotritosternus sp. nov., is described based on the larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult female and male collected from cow dung in Guizhou Province, China. The ontogenetic development of the gnathotectum, dorsal shields, ventral shields, and the chaetotaxy of the gnathosoma, idiosoma and legs are discussed and illustrated.

This paper describes two new species of the family Pachylaelapidae, Onchodellus menglaensis sp. nov. and O. quattuorspinous sp. nov., from the earth-boring dung beetles, Enoplotrupes sinensis Hope (Scarabaeoidea: Geotrupidae), collected from Mengla County, Yunnan Province, China. An identification key to the Chinese species of the genus Onchodellus (females) is provided.

Two new mite species, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) hubeiensis sp. nov. and E. (Zaracarus) hainanensis sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on larvae parasitizing insects (Hemiptera) in Hubei and Hainan Provinces, China. An updated key to larval species of the genus Erythraeus of the world is presented.

Isaria cateniannulata and Euseius nicholsi are two important biological control agents currently being used in many areas of China to control a variety of pests. In order to determine the possibility of a concomitant application with the two agents in a biocontrol program involving the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, we quantified the pathogenicity of a strain of I. cateniannulata (08XS-1) against females of both T. urticae and E. nicholsi. We observed the infection process using scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy to distinguish differences in fungal performance. The female mites were infected by I. cateniannulata at 2 × 10 7 conidia/ml. The mortality of T. urticae was 100% when treated with submerged conidia and 92% when treated with aerial conidia (spray), and that of E. nicholsi was 4.2 and 6.7%, correspondingly. Following infection with aerial or submerged conidia, mated E. nicholsi females displayed no significant differences between treatments and control, indicating the fungus had no obvious effect on their vitality and fertility. This demonstrates that I. cateniannulata is safe to E. nicholsi when used to control T. urticae. The two types of propagules of I. cateniannulata are readily produced by common culture, and the submerged conidia, because of their substantially higher mortality, are preferable to the aerial conidia. Our results indicate that I. cateniannulata and E. nicholsi are viable candidates to be concomitantly applied in the biocontrol programs of T. urticae.

A brief introduction of Chinese Hygrobatidae taxonomy is reviewed. A new species, Sinibates xinyaoae Li, Smit & Guo sp. nov. from Hainan province is described representing a new genus Sinibates Li, Smit & Guo gen. nov. A second species, Hygrobates (Minibates) cf. dobriyali Pešić & Smit, 2019, from Hunan province represents a new subgenus, Minibates Li, Smit & Guo subgen. nov. inHygrobates. The other new species, Mixobates neoamurensis Li & Guo sp. nov. from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region adds a newly recorded genus, Mixobates Thor, 1905 from China. Text: LSID Genus:Sinibates Li, Smit & Guo gen. nov.: LSID Species:Sinibates xinyaoae Li, Smit & Guo sp. nov.: LSID Subgenus:Minibates Li, Smit & Guo subgen. nov.: LSID Species:Mixobates neoamurensis Li & Guo sp. nov.: LSID [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diplogyniopsis fluctuosumsp. nov. associated with passalid beetles is described based on females from China on undermined passalid beetles, as well as on females and males from Thailand on Aceraius helferi (Coleoptera: Passalidae). The species represents the second known species of Diplogyniopsis Trägårdh, prompting us to redefine the genus diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Momonides neolandbergi Li & Guo sp. nov. is described in detail, which is the fifth species all over the world in Momonidinae Lundblad, 1941, Momoniidae K. Viets, 1926. The family and subfamily are newly recorded for Chinese fauna. The new species are recorded by camera, optical microscope, and scanning electron microscope. Publication:New species: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five species of Unionicola Haldeman, 1842 (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Unionicolidae) were collected between 2018 and 2019. Notably, Unionicola (Armatax) armata Walter, 1929, previously unrecorded in China, is now documented for the first time in the country. Additionally, Unionicola newsumi Wiles, 1999 has been reclassified and assigned to the new subgenus Vespicola within the genus Unionicola Haldeman, 1842. These findings also led to the establishment of three new subgenera: Micronodusgen. nov., Vespicolagen. nov., and Lingshuiataxgen. nov. including four species: Unionicola soluplatussp. nov. U. jinisp. nov. U. caudipessp. nov. and U. armatallasp. nov. This marks the first description and documentation of these subgenera and species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief introduction of Chinese Limnesiidae taxonomy is provided. Adults of two new species, Limnesia (Limnesia) lupingae Li & Guo sp. nov. and Limnesia (Limnesia) macrophthalma Li & Guo sp. nov., from Heilongjiang and Hubei provinces respectively, are described in detail. Subtle structures are recorded with scanning electron micrographs. In addition, deutonymphs of two new species are also described in detail and compared with the adults in discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mites, the second largest arthropod group, exhibit rich phenotypic diversity in the development of appendages (legs). For example, the fourth pair of legs (L4) does not form until the second postembryonic developmental stage, namely the protonymph stage. These leg developmental diversities drive body plan diversity in mites. However, little is known about the mechanisms of leg development in mites. Hox genes, homeotic genes, can regulate the development of appendages in arthropods. Three Hox genes, Sex combs reduced (Scr), Fushi tarazu (Ftz) and Antennapedia (Antp), have previously been shown to be expressed in the leg segments of mites. Here, the quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR shows that three Hox genes are significantly increased in the first molt stage. RNA interference results in a set of abnormalities, including L3 curl and L4 loss. These results suggest that these Hox genes are required for normal leg development. Furthermore, the loss of single Hox genes results in downregulating the expression of the appendage marker Distal-less (Dll), suggesting that the three Hox genes can work together with Dll to maintain leg development in Tetranychus urticae. This study will be essential to understanding the diversity of leg development in mites and changes in Hox gene function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The erythraeid species can be assigned with larva or adult only, or both under current Erythraeidae taxonomy. The present study describes two new erythraeid species from Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau (Oriental region). Marantelophus neodubifurcatussp. nov. is based on larvae that were off-host when collected, while Erythraeus (Zaracarus) mossesussp. nov. is based on a female adult, which was preying on an ant when collected, and larvae which were her offspring. The genus Marantelophus is divided into two species groups based on the odontus with or without a subterminal tooth, and M. neodubifurcatussp. nov. belongs to the group with the subterminal tooth. The larval members of the subgenus Erythraeus (Zaracarus) are divided into five species groups, and E. (Z.) mossesussp. nov. belongs to the group with the characters such that AL without swelling near bases, and fn BFe = 2-2-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with two new species, Atractides (Atractides) bitergumus Zhang & Guo sp. nov. and Atractides (Tympanomegapus) tergumus Zhang & Guo sp. nov., and a new record of a species, Atractides (Atractides) incertus, from Hainan Province, P. R. China. These species are described and illustrated in detail. Article: Atractides (Atractides) bitergumus: Atractides (Tympanomegapus) tergumus: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presents a detailed description of all instars of Parasitus yuensis Ma & Lin, based on collected specimens from haystack, rotten leaves or the body surface of millipedes, and on laboratory reared specimens. The female is redescribed, male and immature instars are described for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Dyneogamasus is transferred to the subfamily Pergamasinae, and the generic diagnosis is revised. A new mite species, Dyneogamasus serratus Yao & Jin sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on females from Fujian province, China. A key to the known species of the genus is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species, Abrolophus quadrapexicis Xu & Jin sp. nov., Grandjeanella dianensis Xu & Jin sp. nov., Leptus (Leptus) trisolenidionus Xu & Jin sp. nov. and Hirstiosoma tibetensis Xu & Jin sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on larvae. The species Hirstiosoma sadafae (Amin, Khanjani & Nadri) comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Sphaerotarsus to Hirstiosoma based on gnathosoma with two pairs barbed hypostomalae (as and bs), as and bs almost equal in length. H. tibetensissp. nov. and G. dianensissp. nov. are from the Tibetan Plateau (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau), a unique geographical unit of the highest altitude in the world. The described H. tibetensissp. nov. from the Tibetan Plateau represents a newly recorded subfamily from China, namely Hirstiosomatinae (Smarididae) with the genus Hirstiosoma. The genus Grandjeanella including six species distributed in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia (Sulawesi), is new to China and the Eurasian continent as G. dianensissp. nov. found in the southern Tibetan Plateau (Gaoligongshan National Natural Reserve). In China Abrolophus has been known from the Oriental realm, A. quadrapexicissp. nov. makes it cover both the Palaearctic and Oriental realm of China. L. (L.) trisolenidionussp. nov. belongs to the phalangii species group and torresianus species subgroup, which contains three species previously known in Oceania (Australia) and South America (French Guiana) and here is the first report in Asia (China). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Erythraeid mite members are large, larvae usually parasitize other arthropods, whereas the nymphs and adults are free-living predators of a small insect. Free-living adults/nymphs and parasitic larvae vary greatly in morphology, and classification is usually treated independently. To date, more than 850 species of erythraeid mites have been recorded. Among them, more than 580 species were described only as larvae. Eatoniana Cambridge, 1898 is a small genus within Erythraeidae comprising, 10 valid species worldwide, three species of which were only reported based on larvae. Erythraeus Latreille, 1806 includes 123 species distributed worldwide, with 69 species reported based on larvae alone. Here, two new species, Eatoniana nanlingensis Xu and Jin sp. nov. from Guangdong Province and Erythraeus (Erythraeus) kunyuensis Xu and Jin sp. nov. from Shandong Province, are described based on larval stage. We believe that the study will contribute to further studies on the taxonomy and phylogeny of Erythraeidae. The species Eatoniana yangshuonicus (Haitlinger) comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Erythraeus to Eatoniana based on the basifemoral setal formula 2-2-1. Two new species, Eatoniana nanlingensis Xu and Jin sp. nov. and Erythraeus (Erythraeus) kunyuensis Xu and Jin sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on larvae. Eatoniana nanlingensis sp. nov. from the Oriental region (Guangdong Province), Er. (Er.) kunyuensis sp. nov. from the Palaearctic region (Shandong Province). An updated key to larval species of the genus Eatoniana of the world is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports two new species of genus Neoscirula, namely, N. bambus Chen & Jin sp. nov. from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and N. pananensis Chen & Jin sp. nov. from Zhejiang province, which are described and illustrated. A key to adult females of Neoscirula species of the China is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper further enriches the taxonomic study of Feltriidae Viets, 1926 in China since it was first reported by Yi & Jin in 2011. Seven species, Feltria hanmaensis sp. nov., Feltria pesici sp. nov., Feltria pseudoparva sp. nov., Feltria expendis sp. nov., Feltria yinjiangensis sp. nov., Feltria neoflatheadensis sp. nov. and Feltria glandulosa sp. nov., are described as new to science; Feltria minuta Koenike, 1892 is new to the Chinese water mite fauna. In addition, some slit organs of these species are photographed by SEM (scanning electron microscope) and illustrated in detail by optical microscope to provide material for exploiting valuable character in specific identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chaetotaxy is an important character especially in mites and can be applied in species diagnosis, phylogenetics, ontogeny, and so on. Chaetotaxic ontogeny of Bdella was carried out through comparing both immature and adult descriptions of eight Bdella species, including a new species, B. xinisp. nov., from China. Based on these species, chaetotaxy changes in Bdella mainly focused on ventral hypostomal setae (vh), setae on palpal basifemur, aggenital setae (ag), genital setae (g), anal setae (ad) and leg setae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alloeuzercon seemani Sun, Jin & Yi gen. & sp. nov. (Acari: Mesostigmata: Celaenopsoidea: Euzerconidae) associated with passalid beetles (Coleoptera: Passalidae) is described, representing the first record of the family Euzerconidae from China. The new genus bears a close resemblance to the genera Euzerconoides and Paraeuzercon, prompting us to update the key to genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reductholaspis Emberson is rediagnosed with the description of a new species, Reductholaspis longicorniculussp. nov. Shen & Yi from southwestern China. This is the first report of the genus Reductholaspis from the Oriental Region and the first described male for the genus. Reductholaspis longicorniculussp. nov. is distinguished from R. analis Hyatt & Emberson by the dorsal shield with 28 pairs of setae, posterior margin of the sternal shield with deep hollows lateral to iv2, latigynal sclerites well developed, metasternal plates ovate, all setae on coxae I–IV pilose, tarsus I with proximal pilose setae, and three pairs of lightly sclerotized platelets between the epigynal shield and anal shield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes three new species of genus Cunaxoides, namely, C. reticulatus Chen & Jin sp. nov., C. kanasensis Chen & Jin sp. nov. and C. allokanasensis Chen & Jin sp. nov., which are described and figured from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Arrhenoseius Walter & Lindquist, 2000 is recorded for the first time from the Oriental Realm on the basis of two new species. Arrhenoseius hallidayisp. nov. can be distinguished from other species of the genus by the ventrianal shield bearing five pairs of ventral setae and unsclerotised ventro-lateral cuticle without setae in the adult female, and Arrhenoseius granulatussp. nov. can be distinguished by the ventrianal shield bearing eight pairs of ventral setae and unsclerotised lateral cuticle with six pairs of setae. A key to species of Arrhenoseius is given based on the adult females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The female and male of Parasitus quadrichaetus Ma & Cui, 1999 are described for the first time. They show that this species is correctly placed in Parasitus sensu lato and not Coprocarpais Hrúzová & Fenďa, 2018. The deutonymph is also redescribed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Lepidocunaxoides (Acariformes: Cunaxidae) is recorded for the first time from China and the generic diagnosis is revised on the basis of both sexes of a new species, Lepidocunaxoides bomiensis Chen & Jin sp. nov.. The new species differs from the known species Lepidocunaxoides robustus Kalúz & Ermilov, 2019 by follows: palpal tibiotarsus claw unbranched apically and tibiotarsus with a proximal bifurcated seta; cheliceral seta and adoral setae absent; propodosomal shield concave anteromedially; tibia II with one bsl. Cunaxoides neopectinatusShiba, 1978 is transferred to Lepidocunaxoides based on the generic concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species, Caeculisoma allopenlineatus Xu & Jin sp. nov., Dambullaeus jianfengensis Xu & Jin sp. nov., Iguatonia seemani Xu & Jin sp. nov. and Iguatonia xinfengi Xu & Jin sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on larvae ectoparasitic on insects (Hemiptera) from Hainan Province, China. The genus Iguatonia is reported for the first in China. New data for Caeculisoma penlineatus Xu & Jin, 2019 are given. Keys to world species of larval Caeculisoma, Dambullaeus and Iguatonia are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two species of Oligonychus are redescribed: O. baipisongisMa & Yuan, 1976 and O. chamaecyparisaeMa & Yuan, 1976. Moreover, O. hainanensisMa, Yuan & Lin, 1979 is here recognized as a junior synonym of O. biharensis (Hirst, 1924), which is also redescribed here based on adult females, males and deutonymphs. The redescription of O. baipisongis is based on holotype and paratypes, the types of O. chamaecyparisae could not be located but the species is described from male and female material collected by En-Pei Ma in 1978 from Lanzhou City, Xi-An City and Xining City. The dorsal setae in O. baipisongis show remarkable sexual dimorphism. The difference between the aedeagi of O. chamaecyparisae and Oligonychus perditusPritchard & Baker, 1955 are discussed. All three species are diagnosed, illustrated with line drawings and photographs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caeculisoma semispinus Xu & Jin sp. nov. is described and illustrated based on larvae ectoparasitic on Typhlocybinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) from Chongqing Municipality, Hubei Province and Hunan Province, China. A key to the larval species of the genus Caeculisoma of the world is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]