Ann R. Braun

Some phytoseiid mites of Latin America (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

ABSTRACT A total of 55 species of phytoseiid mites are reported from Latin America. New records of phytoseiid mites mostly from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) habitat in southern Mexico, and Central and South America are given. Nine species are described as new to science: Amblyseius neoperditus, A. vasiformis, A. curticervicalis, A. gonzalezi, A. pentagonalis, A. peruvianus, A. farallonicus, A. miconiae and Phytoseius curtisetus.

Definition of the Amblyseius limonicus species group (Acari: Phytoseiidae), with descriptions of two new species and new records

Abstract The Amblyseius limonicus species group is defined. Descriptions of Amblyseius manihoti n. sp. and Amblyseius villacarmelensis n. sp. are provided. New records are given for species within this group. New measurements of types or recently collected specimens of related species are also provided.

Establishment of the neotropical predator Amblyseius idaeus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Benin, West Africa

Populations of the phytoseiid predator Amblyseius(=Neoseiulus) idaeus (Denmark & Muma) from northeastern Brazil, have been successfully introduced into Benin, West Africa, as part of a classical biological control campaign to control the exotic cassava green mite Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar). Monthly follow‐up surveys revealed the presence of A. idaeus in most release sites. Some populations have persisted for at least 18 months, including two cycles of potentially limiting wet and dry season conditions. In some sites A. idaeus has been the numerically dominant phytoseiid predator on cassava Manihot esculenta, where it is associated with the tetranychids M. tanajoa and Oligonychus gossypii Zacher. During periods of low M. tanajoa densities A. idaeus disappeared from cassava, but were found on weeds with O. gossypii until prey densities on cassava increased.

Biosystematics of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) associated with cassava

Laboratory crossing experiments indicate that populations of A. limonicus sensu lato collected from cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Brazil (Cruz das Almas) and Colombia (Palmira and Monteria) are conspecific and different from A. limonicus Garman & McGregor sensu stricto collected in Riverside, California, USA and Jaguariuna, Brazil. A. limonicus s.l. did not cross with A. tenuiscutus, A. rapax or A. limonicus s.s.. A. limonicus s.s. did not cross with A. rapax. Populations of A. aerialis, A. anonymus and A. idaeus from Colombia are conspecific with Brazilian populations of these species.