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Species interact in different ways, including competition, facilitation and predation. These interactions can be non‐linear or higher order and may depend on time or species densities. Although these higher‐order interactions are virtually ubiquitous, they remain poorly understood, as they are challenging both theoretically and empirically. We propose to adapt niche and fitness differences from modern coexistence theory and apply them to species interactions over time. As such, they may not merely inform about coexistence, but provide a deeper understanding of how species interactions change. Here, we investigated how the exploitation of a biotic resource (plant) by phytophagous arthropods affects their interactions. We performed monoculture and competition experiments to fit a generalized additive mixed model to the empirical data, which allowed us to calculate niche and fitness differences. We found that species switch between different types of interactions over time, including intra‐ and interspecific facilitation, and strong and weak competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding pest evolution in agricultural systems is crucial for developing effective and innovative pest control strategies. Types of cultivation, such as crop monocultures versus polycultures or crop rotation, may act as a selective pressure on pests' capability to exploit the host's resources. In this study, we examined the herbivorous mite Aceria tosichella (commonly known as wheat curl mite), a widespread wheat pest, to understand how fluctuating versus stable environments influence its niche breadth and ability to utilize different host plant species. We subjected a wheat‐bred mite population to replicated experimental evolution in a single‐host environment (either wheat or barley), or in an alternation between these two plant species every three mite generations. Next, we tested the fitness of these evolving populations on wheat, barley, and on two other plant species not encountered during experimental evolution, namely rye and smooth brome. Our results revealed that the niche breadth of A. tosichella evolved in response to the level of environmental variability. The fluctuating environment expanded the niche breadth by increasing the mite's ability to utilize different plant species, including novel ones. Such an environment may thus promote flexible host‐use generalist phenotypes. However, the niche expansion resulted in some costs expressed as reduced performances on both wheat and barley as compared to specialists. Stable host environments led to specialized phenotypes. The population that evolved in a constant environment consisting of barley increased its fitness on barley without the cost of utilizing wheat. However, the population evolving on wheat did not significantly increase its fitness on wheat, but decreased its performance on barley. Altogether, our results indicated that, depending on the degree of environmental heterogeneity, agricultural systems create different conditions that influence pests' niche breadth evolution, which may in turn affect the ability of pests to persist in such systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wheat curl mite (WCM), Aceria tosichella Keifer, is a major pest of cereals worldwide that also comprises a complex of at least 16 genetic lineages with divergent physiological traits, including host associations and specificity. The goal of this study was to test the extent to which host-plant species and landscape spatial variation influence WCM presence and population density across the entire area of Poland (>311,000 km2). Three important findings arose from the results of the study. (1) The majority of WCM lineages analyzed exhibited variation in patterns of prevalence and/or population density on both spatial and host-associated scales. (2) Areas of occurrence and local abundance were delineated for specific WCM lineages and it was determined that the most pestiferous lineages are much less widespread than was expected, suggesting relatively recent introductions into Poland and the potential for further spread. (3) The 16 WCM lineages under study assorted within four discrete host assemblages, within which similar host preferences and host infestation patterns were detected. Of these four groups, one consists of lineages associated with cereals. In addition to improving basic ecological knowledge of a widespread arthropod herbivore, the results of this research identify high-risk areas for the presence of the most pestiferous WCM lineages in the study area (viz. the entirety of Poland). They also provide insight into the evolution of pest species of domesticated crops and facilitate testing of fundamental hypotheses about the ecological factors that shape this pest community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latitudinal patterns in herbivory, i.e. variations in plant losses to animals with latitude, are generally explained by temperature gradients. However, earlier studies suggest that geographical variation in abundance and diversity of gall-makers may be driven by precipitation rather than by temperature. To test the above hypothesis, we examined communities of eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) on leaves of Betula pendula and B. pubescens in boreal forests in Northern Europe. We sampled ten sites for each of five latitudinal gradients from 2008–2011, counted galls of six morphological types and identified mites extracted from these galls. DNA analysis revealed cryptic species within two of six morphologically defined mite species, and these cryptic species induced different types of galls. When data from all types of galls and from two birch species were pooled, the percentage of galled leaves did not change with latitude. However, we discovered pronounced variation in latitudinal changes between birch species. Infestation by eriophyoid mites increased towards the north in B. pendula and decreased in B. pubescens, while diversity of galls decreased towards the north in B. pendula and did not change in B. pubescens. The percentage of galled leaves did not differ among geographical gradients and study years, but was 20% lower in late summer relative to early summer, indicating premature abscission of infested leaves. Our data suggest that precipitation has little effect on abundance and diversity of eriophyoid mites, and that climate warming may impose opposite effects on infestation of two birch species by galling mites, favouring B. pendula near the northern tree limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two economically important eriophyoid mites, Aceria tosichella (wheat curl mite; WCM) and Aceria tulipae (dry bulb mite; DBM), were frequently confounded in the world literature until the late 20th Century. Their morphological similarity and ambiguous data from plant-transfer and virus-transmission trials contributed to this confusion. Until recently, there was a general lack of knowledge about the existence of species complexes and it was not possible to accurately genotype tested mites. In the present study, two WCM genotypes of divergent host specificity ( MT-1 and MT-2) and one DBM genotype were tested for the acceptance of Poaceae, Amarylidaceae, and Liliaceae species that were reported or suspected as hosts of WCM or DBM. The MT-1 lineage colonized all tested plants. Onion- and garlic-associated DBM populations did not colonize tulip and wild garlic, suggesting that host-acceptance variability exists within A. tulipae s.l. Morphometric analysis did not discriminate closely-related MT-1 and MT-2 genotypes but completely separated both WCM genotypes from DBM based on the larger overall body size of the latter. Three morphological traits combined to discriminate between the DBM and MT-1 genotypes, both of which can infest Amarylidaceae bulbs. In total, these combined DNA sequence, host-acceptance, morphometrical results unambiguously separated two WCM and one DBM genotypes. Similar studies on additional lineages of both WCM and DBM should ultimately dispel previous taxonomic confusion between these two species. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 111, 421-436. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aceria tosichella (the wheat curl mite, WCM) is a global pest of wheat and other cereals, causing losses by direct damage, as well as the transmission of plant viruses. The mite is considered to have an unusually wide host range for an eriophyoid species. The present study tested the commonly held assumption that WCM is a single, highly polyphagous species by assessing the host range of genetically distinct lineages of WCM occurring in Poland on different host plants. Genotyping was performed by analyzing nucleotide sequence data from fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( COI) and the nuclear D2 region of 28 S rDNA. Mean between-lineage distance estimated using COI data was found to be one order of magnitude greater than the within-clade lineage and, in some cases, comparable to distances between WCM lineages and a congeneric outgroup species. Host acceptance was tested by quantifying population growth for different WCM mitochondrial ( mt)DNA lineages when transferred from source host plants to test plants. These experiments revealed significant differences in host colonization ability between mt DNA lineages, ranging from highly polyphagous to more host-specific. The present study reveals that WCM is composed of several discrete genetic lineages with divergent host-acceptance and specificity traits. Genetic variation for host acceptance within A. tosichella s.l. may act as a reproductive barrier between these lineages, most of which had narrow host ranges. Two lineages appear to have high pest potential on cereals, whereas several others appear to specialize on wild grass species. We conclude that WCM is not a homogeneous species comprising polyphagous panmictic populations rather it is a complex of genetically distinct lineages with variable host ranges and therefore variable pest potential. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 109, 165-180. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The wheat curl mite (WCM) is a major pest in cereal crops around the world and the vector of at least four known pathogens capable of reducing yields in crops such as wheat, corn, barley, oats, millet and rye. Current taxonomy recognizes WCM as a single species, Aceria tosichella; however, recent genetic, physiological and ecological studies have shown that WCM is likely to be a species complex. In this study we assessed genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships among WCM from four continents and a wide range of host plants using DNA sequence data from one mitochondrial gene, one nuclear gene and a single nuclear intergenic spacer region. Phylogenetic analyses revealed 11 unique mite lineages associated with specific plant hosts including wheat and barley. Host associations were consistent across continents, often with a single haplotype dominating a host plant regardless of geographic origin. The genetic and ecological differences identified in this study support the notion that WCM is a species complex in need of major taxonomic revision. These findings have implications for control of WCM globally, particularly within the context of identifying plants that form ‘green bridge’ refuges, assessing disease transmission risk, and identifying resistance in cereal genotypes to WCM and associated pathogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new species of grass-feeding eriophyoid mite (Acari: Prostigmata: Eriophyoidea) is described. Abacarus lolii n. sp. is a cryptic species of Abacarus hystrix (Nalepa). They are reproductively isolated and can be effectively separated using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences. Both species are morphologically extremely similar. The only qualitative differences between A. lolii and A. hystrix are the shape of the ventral microtubercles and of the genital opening. Among quantitative traits 14 have been found to differentiate the two species significantly. However, it should be noted that although means are significantly different for all 14 traits, ranges do not overlap only for one trait, namely the length of setae c2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theory generally predicts that host specialisation and dispersal should evolve jointly. Indeed, many models predict that specialists should be poor dispersers to avoid landing on unsuitable hosts while generalists will have high dispersal abilities. Phytophagous arthropods are an excellent group to test this prediction, given extensive variation in their host range and dispersal abilities. Here, we explore the degree to which the empirical literature on this group is in accordance with theoretical predictions. We first briefly outline the theoretical reasons to expect such a correlation. We then report empirical studies that measured both dispersal and the degree of specialisation in phytophagous arthropods. We find a correlation between dispersal and levels of specialisation in some studies, but with wide variation in this result. We then review theoretical attributes of species and environment that may blur this correlation, namely environmental grain, temporal heterogeneity, habitat selection, genetic architecture, and coevolution between plants and herbivores. We argue that theoretical models fail to account for important aspects, such as phenotypic plasticity and the impact of selective forces stemming from other biotic interactions, on both dispersal and specialisation. Next, we review empirical caveats in the study of this interplay. We find that studies use different measures of both dispersal and specialisation, hampering comparisons. Moreover, several studies do not provide independent measures of these two traits. Finally, variation in these traits may occur at scales that are not being considered. We conclude that this correlation is likely not to be expected from large‐scale comparative analyses as it is highly context dependent and should not be considered in isolation from the factors that modulate it, such as environmental scale and heterogeneity, intrinsic traits or biotic interactions. A stronger crosstalk between theoretical and empirical studies is needed to understand better the prevalence and basis of the correlation between dispersal and specialisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Understanding the mechanisms that underlie the diversification of herbivores through interactions with their hosts is important for their diversity assessment and identification of expansion events, particularly in a human-altered world where evolutionary processes can be exacerbated. We studied patterns of host usage and genetic structure in the wheat curl mite complex (WCM), Aceria tosichella , a major pest of the world's grain industry, to identify the factors behind its extensive diversification. Results: We expanded on previous phylogenetic research, demonstrating deep lineage diversification within the taxon, a complex of distinctive host specialist and generalist lineages more diverse than previously assumed. Time-calibrated phylogenetic reconstruction inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence data suggests that lineage diversification pre-dates the influence of agricultural practices, and lineages started to radiate in the mid Miocene when major radiations of C4 grasses is known to have occurred. Furthermore, we demonstrated that host specificity is not phylogenetically constrained, while host generalization appears to be a more derived trait coinciding with the expansion of the world's grasslands. Demographic history of specialist lineages have been more stable when compared to generalists, and their expansion pre-dated all generalist lineages. The lack of host-associated genetic structure of generalists indicates gene flow between mite populations from different hosts. Conclusions: Our analyses demonstrated that WCM is an unexpectedly diverse complex of genetic lineages and its differentiation is likely associated with the time of diversification and expansion of its hosts. Signatures of demographic histories and expansion of generalists are consistent with the observed proliferation of the globally most common lineages. The apparent lack of constrains on host use, coupled with a high colonization potential, hinders mite management, which may be further compromised by host range expansion. This study provides a significant contribution to the growing literature on host-association and diversification in herbivorous invertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersal involves many behavioural interactions that if inefficient or ineffectual would lead to serious fitness consequences. Such costs would be particularly dear for passively dispersing organisms for which direction of movement is determined by external forces. In this study, we investigated whether environment and morphology influence dispersal behaviours of a passive, aerially dispersing organism, the eriophyoid wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella. We used a wind tunnel to generate stable wind speeds and analysed mite behaviour, morphology and dispersal rate for each wind speed treatment. We found that dispersal events were phenotype and context dependent with an important behavioural component. Aerial dispersal increased significantly via chains formed by individuals and mites dispersing in chains were significantly more elongated than controls. This difference in shape interacted significantly with wind speed but diminished at high wind speeds. Contrary to expectations, we found that an upright position was not related to the likelihood of being blown away. The results indicate that departure events for this mite are influenced by the interaction of behaviour, morphology and environment. Our study represents a substantial step toward explaining wheat curl mite dispersal and its colonization potential, with implications for passively dispersing organisms in general. • We tested how behaviour, morphology and environment influence passive dispersal. • Passive dispersal events are both phenotype and context dependent. • Most aerial dispersal is by mites engaged in chain-forming behaviour. • Regarding morphology, aerial dispersal relates to body shape rather than size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) causes wheat streak mosaic, a disease of cereals and grasses that threatens wheat production worldwide. It is a monopartite, positive‐sense, single‐stranded RNA virus and the type member of the genus Tritimovirus in the family Potyviridae. The only known vector is the wheat curl mite (WCM, Aceria tosichella), recently identified as a species complex of biotypes differing in virus transmission. Low rates of seed transmission have been reported. Infected plants are stunted and have a yellow mosaic of parallel discontinuous streaks on the leaves. In the autumn, WCMs move from WSMV‐infected volunteer wheat and other grass hosts to newly emerged wheat and transmit the virus which survives the winter within the plant, and the mites survive as eggs, larvae, nymphs or adults in the crown and leaf sheaths. In the spring/summer, the mites move from the maturing wheat crop to volunteer wheat and other grass hosts and transmit WSMV, and onto newly emerged wheat in the fall to which they transmit the virus, completing the disease cycle. WSMV detection is by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) or quantitative RT‐PCR (RT‐qPCR). Three types of WSMV are recognized: A (Mexico), B (Europe, Russia, Asia) and D (USA, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, Turkey, Canada). Resistance genes Wsm1, Wsm2 and Wsm3 have been identified. The most effective, Wsm2, has been introduced into several wheat cultivars. Mitigation of losses caused by WSMV will require enhanced knowledge of the biology of WCM biotypes and WSMV, new or improved virus detection techniques, the development of resistance through traditional and molecular breeding, and the adaptation of cultural management tactics to account for climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersal is an important process affecting the survival of organisms and the structure and dynamics of communities and ecosystems in space and time. It is a multiphase phenomenon influenced by many internal and external factors. Dispersal syndromes can be complicated, but they are vital to our knowledge of the biology of any organism. We analysed dispersal ability in mites (Acariformes and Parasitiformes), a highly diverse group of wingless arthropods, taking into consideration various modes of dispersal, feeding strategies, body size and the number of articles published for each species. Based on 174 articles summarized for this study, it appears that mites are opportunistic when it comes to dispersal, regardless of their feeding habits, and are often able to adopt several different strategies as needs arise. Moreover, we find a significant positive relationship between the amount of research effort that was put into studying a given species and the number of modes of dispersal that were described. The most salient conclusion to be drawn from this positive correlation is that additional studies are needed, especially on a broader set of mite taxa, until the aforementioned correlation is no longer demonstrably significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The role of interspecific competition for generating patterns in species’ distribution is hotly debated and studies taking into account processes occurring at both large and small spatial scales are almost missing. Theoretically, competition between species with overlapping niches should result in divergence of their niches in sympatry to reduce the costs of competition. Many species show a mosaic distribution within sympatric zones, with the syntopic sites occupied by both species, and allotopic sites where only one species occurs. It is unclear whether such mosaics arise as a consequence of competition‐driven niche segregation or due to the decline of their abundances towards range edges driven by environmental gradients. If the interspecific competition matters, we should observe (1) a shift in habitat preferences of one or both species between syntopy and allotopy, and (2) between allopatry and allotopy. Moreover, (3) species should show greater divergence in their habitat preferences in allotopy than in allopatry where (4) no differences in habitat preferences may occur. Finally, (5) shifts should be generally greater in the competitively subordinate species than in the dominant species. We used a unique dataset on abundance of two closely related passerine species, the Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia), collected across their syntopy, allotopy and allopatry. The predictions were tested within a generalized mixed‐effects modelling framework. After accounting for environmental gradients perpendicular to the species’ contact zone, we found a strong support for all but one prediction. Habitat preferences of both species shifted markedly between syntopy and allotopy, as well as between allopatry and allotopy. Whereas the species preferred the same habitats in allopatry, their preferences became strikingly different in allotopy where the abundance of the Common Nightingale increased towards dry and warm sites with low coverage of pastures, while the abundance of the Thrush Nightingale showed exactly opposite trends. Fifth prediction was not supported. Our results indicate that the competition between closely related species can result in considerable changes in habitat use across their geographic ranges accompanied with divergence in their habitat preferences in sympatry. Here, the species “escape” from competition to allotopic sites covered by habitats avoided by the competitor. Therefore, we argue that the interspecific competition is an important driver of species’ distribution at both large and small spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wheat curl mite (WCM), Aceria tosichella (Keifer, 1969), is one of the primary pests of wheat and other cereals throughout the world. Traditional taxonomy recognises WCM as a single eriophyoid species; however, a recent study suggested that two genetic lineages of WCM in Australia might represent putative species. Here, we investigate WCM populations from different host plants in Australia, South America and Europe and test the hypothesis that WCM is, in fact, a complex of cryptic species. We used morphological data in combination with nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and nuclear D2 region of 28S rDNA and internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1, ITS2) sequences. The molecular analyses did not support the monophyly of A. tosichella because the outgroup A. tulipae (Keifer, 1938) is grouped within WCM. The molecular datasets indicated the existence of distinct lineages within WCM, with the distances between lineages corresponding to interspecific divergence. Morphological analyses failed to clearly separate WCM populations and lineages, but completely separated A. tulipae from A. tosichella. The results suggest that what has been recognised historically as a single species is, in fact, a complex of several genetically isolated evolutionary lineages that demonstrate potential as cryptic species. Hence, their discrimination using solely morphological criteria may be misleading. These findings are particularly significant because of the economic importance of WCM as a direct pest and vector of plant viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the approximately 200 eriophyoid mite species associated with coniferous trees worldwide, 33 species (of the families Eriophyidae and Phytoptidae) infest conifers in Poland, and 24 of them can cause visible feeding symptoms. In this paper we discuss the importance of eriophyoid mites to coniferous plants in Poland and their potential impact on the decorative value of ornamental plants. We emphasize the general lack of knowledge about the diversity of eriophyoid mites associated with coniferous trees and its role in the management and control of this economically important mite group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispersal and colonisation determine the survival and success of organisms, and influence the structure and dynamics of communities and ecosystems in space and time. Both affect the gene flow between populations, ensuring sufficient level of genetic variation and improving adaptation abilities. In haplodiploids, such as Aceria tosichella (wheat curl mite, WCM), a population may be founded even by a single unfertilised female, so there is a risk of heterozygosity loss (i.e. founder effect). It may lead to adverse outcomes, such as inbreeding depression. Yet, the strength of the founder effect partly depends on the genetic variation of the parental population. WCM is an economically important pest with a great invasive potential, but its dispersal and colonisation mechanisms were poorly studied before. Therefore, here we assessed WCM dispersal and colonisation potential in relation to the genetic variation of the parental population. We checked whether this potential may be linked to specific pre-dispersal actions (e.g. mating before dispersal and collective behaviour). Our study confirms that dispersal strategies of WCM are not dependent on heterozygosity in the parental population, and the efficient dispersal of this species depends on collective movement of fertilised females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Colonisation, i.e. the establishment of dispersed individuals in an unoccupied area, is a fundamental biological process that drives the distribution and range dynamics of organisms. It is crucial to understand the basic mechanisms of colonisation, especially in invasive species. 2. In this study, we investigated the importance of dispersal success (the proportion of settlers and founders) and intrinsic population growth rate for colonisation ability in phytophagous mites that spread both passively and actively. We performed laboratory experiments using two eriophyid mite species: Aceria tosichella [wheat curl mite (WCM)] and Abacarus hystrix [cereal rust mite (CRM)]. These are obligate herbivores of economic importance because they feed on cereal plants, including wheat. 3. To test the colonisation ability of WCM and CRM on wheat when dispersed actively by walking and passively when blown by air currents, we estimated the number of individuals that established new populations after dispersal and calculated the intrinsic population growth rate (r) for both species. 4. WCM had a higher colonisation ability on wheat than CRM. This resulted from the higher dispersal success of WCM; however, the two species did not differ in r. This pattern was consistent for both dispersal modes. Moreover, both species had higher colonisation success when dispersing actively, albeit with a very limited spatial range. 5. These results underline the role of successful dispersal in the colonisation ability of species. The knowledge of the colonisation process of WCM and CRM is important for understanding their invasiveness and for predicting their potential geographical distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In seasonal environments, sinks that are more persistent than sources may serve as temporal stepping stones for specialists. However, this possibility has to our knowledge, not been demonstrated to date, as such environments are thought to select for generalists, and the role of sinks, both in the field and in the laboratory, is difficult to document. Here, we used laboratory experiments to show that herbivorous arthropods associated with seasonally absent main (source) habitats can endure on a suboptimal (sink) host for several generations, albeit with a negative growth rate. Additionally, they dispersed towards this host less often than towards the main host and accepted it less often than the main host. Finally, repeated experimental evolution attempts revealed no adaptation to the suboptimal host. Nevertheless, field observations showed that arthropods are found in suboptimal habitats when the main habitat is unavailable. Together, these results show that evolutionary rescue in the suboptimal habitat is not possible. Instead, the sink habitat functions as a temporal stepping stone, allowing for the persistence of a specialist when the source habitat is gone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriophyoid mites (Eriophyoidea) are minute phytophagous mites with great economic importance and great invasive potential. In spite of their demonstrated impact on ecosystem functions, knowledge of eriophyoid mite fauna in the Arctic is lacking. To date, only eight eriophyoid mite species have been recorded from the entire region north of the Arctic Circle. The Svalbard archipelago is one of the most biologically investigated Arctic areas. Despite the fact that studies on invertebrates on Svalbard have been conducted for more than one hundred years, eriophyoids have never been recorded before from this place, except for one likely accidental record of a single specimen belonging to the genus Eriophyes. Thus, each new study of eriophyoid mite fauna in this region is important. In this paper, a new species of eriophyoid mite, Cecidophyes siedleckii n. sp., is described and illustrated. Nucleotide sequence data (D2 region of 28S rDNA) were employed to complement traditional morphological taxonomy. The first record of Aceria saxifragae (Rostrup 1900) from Svalbard is also provided, with supplementary morphological descriptions and illustrations. Eriophyoid mites represent an important and underutilized taxon that is available to ecologists studying the effects of changing climatic conditions on Svalbard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wheat curl mite (WCM), Aceria tosichella Keifer, is a major pest of cereals worldwide. It is also a complex of well-defined genetic lineages with divergent physiological traits, which has not been accounted for in applied contexts. The aims of the study were to model the thermal niches of the two most pestiferous WCM lineages, designated MT-1 and MT-8, and to assess the extent to which temperature determines the distribution of these lineages. WCM population dynamics were modeled based on thermal niche data from March to November on the area of Poland (>311,000 km2). The most suitable regions for population development were predicted and compared to empirical field abundance data. Congruence between modeled parameters and field data for mite presence were observed for both WCM lineages although congruence between modeled thermal suitability and mite field abundance was observed only for MT-8. Thermal niche data for MT-1 and MT-8 provide biological insights and aid monitoring and management of WCM and the plant viruses it vectors. The presented models accurately estimate distributions of WCM and can be incorporated into management strategies for both current and predicted climate scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the economic importance of eriophyoid mites as agricultural pests, especially of cereal crops, knowledge of the eriophyoid fauna in Turkey remains incomplete. This article presents the results of a 3-year study on grass-infesting eriophyoid mites in Turkey. The aim of this study was to collect and identify eriophyoid species infesting wild and cultivated grasses and to estimate the degree of overall mite infestation on grasses. The study involved both qualitative samples (to record the presence or absence of mites) and quantitative samples (to investigate the parameters of mite infestation: viz. prevalence, intensity and density). Seven eriophyoid species – Aceria tosichella (Keifer, 1969), Abacarus hystrix (Nalepa, 1896), Abacarus lolii Skoracka, 2009, Aculodes holcusi Skoracka, 2004, Aculodes dubius (Nalepa, 1891), Abacarus longilobus Skoracka, 2002, Aculodessp. nov. – were collected from grasses in the course of this study. Quantitative data were available for the first four of these species, and parameters of infestation differed greatly among the hosts. Aceria tosichella was the species infesting the largest number of grass species, and A. hystrix was the species with the highest values of prevalence and density on wheat. New host species for A. tosichella were reported, including Dactylis glomerata, Bromus sclerophyllus, Eremopyrum orientale, Lolium temulentum and Poa bulbosa, all for the first time in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]