Search

Thirteen Notostrix Keifer species are presently known, all from leaves of palm trees (Arecaceae) to which they seemingly cause no major damage. A new species of this genus, Notostrix macrothrix sp. nov., is morphologically described based on adult females and males collected from coconut, Cocos nucífera L. (Arecaceae), on La Reunión Island. A discussion about the presently known distribution of mites of this genus is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red palm miteRaoiella indicaHirst (Tenuipalpidae) was first reported in the New World in 2004, dispersing quickly and widely while adopting new plant species as hosts. Since then, it has caused severe damage in this region, especially to coconut (Cocos nuciferaL.). It was first found in Brazil in 2009, in the northern Amazonian state of Roraima. In the present study, native and introduced plants were sampled between March 2010 and February 2011 in sites of the 15 Roraima municipalities, to estimate its distribution and the associated mite fauna. In addition, monthly samples were taken from a coconut plantation in Mucajaí throughout the same period, for an initial appraisal of the levelsR. indicacould reach. It was found in 10 municipalities, on 19 plant species of four families. Six species are reported for the first time as hosts. Among the associated predators, 89.1% were Phytoseiidae, most commonlyAmblyseius largoensis(Muma),Iphiseiodes zuluagaiDenmark & Muma andEuseius concordis(Chant). The highest densities ofR.indica, 1.5 and 0.35 mites/cm2of leaflet (approx total of 331 and 77 mites/leaflet), were reached respectively in March 2010 and February 2011. The highest density of phytoseiids on coconut (0.009 mites/cm2or about 2 mites/leaflet) was reached in November 2010. The average densities ofR. indicarecorded for Roraima were comparable to those reported for countries in which the mite is reportedly economically damaging. The dispersal ofR. indicathrough the Amazon forest may result in damage to cultivated and native palms, and plants of other families, if the projected increase in both the frequency and the severity of drought events occurs. Parts of the Amazon have undergone periods of low rainfall, a condition that appears to favour the biology of this mite. Its eventual arrival to northeastern Brazil may result in heavy economic and ecological losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamasiphis Berlese is one of the most diverse genera of Ologamasidae, with 68 described species, corresponding to about 15% of the species of the family. Until now, a single species of this genus was known from Brazil. Gamasiphis salvadori sp. nov., Gamasiphis flechtmanni sp. nov. and Gamasiphis edmilsoni sp. nov. are described based on the morphology of adult females and males collected from litter and soil in Piracicaba, São Paulo State, Brazil. The holotype of Gamasiphis plenosetosus Karg, 1994 was examined, given its close similarity with the latter species, and complementary morphological information about it is provided. A key for the separation of females of the 60 recognizable world species of Gamasiphis is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

- This paper reports the occurrence of five species of Rhodacaridae mites collected in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. One of these corresponds to a new genus and a new species, Binodacarus brasiliensis n. gen. n. sp.; two correspond to new species of known genera, Multidentorhodacarus paulista n. sp. and Rhodacarus matatlanticae n. sp.; and two correspond to described species, Afrogamasellus citri Loots and Protogamasellopsis dioscorus (Manson). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study of phytoseiids collected from the La Selva Biological Field Station, the ALAS (Arthropods of La Selva) Project, made available to us by the Canadian National Collection via Dr. E. E. Lindquist. This material includes two new species, Proprioseiopsis versus n. sp. and Transeius costarricensis n. sp., three new records for Central America, and additional information for nine species previously reported from La Selva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the potential effectiveness of the mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley) in controlling populations of the sciarid fly Bradysia matogrossensis (Lane) in commercial production of the mushroom Agaricus bisporus (Lange). Two mushroom farm experimental tests were conducted: in the first, one of the treatments corresponded to two releases of the predator (immediately after inoculation of A. bisporus in the substrate and immediately after casing); in the second, one of the treatments corresponded to a single release of the predator (immediately after casing). In both cases, the contrasting treatment (control) represented the adoption of no measure to reduce the pest population. Pest population density was significantly lower, while yield of top quality mushroom was significantly higher in both predator release treatments than in the controls. Samples taken at the end of the tests suggested that the population density of S. scimitus increased in the mushroom bags during the course of the experiment. The results indicate that S. scimitus can effectively control B. matogrossensis in commercial mushroom production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]