Edmilson S. Silva

The predatory mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus as a control agent of the fungus gnat Bradysia matogrossensis in commercial production of the mushroom Agaricus bisporus

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.

Life cycle of Proprioseiopsis cannaensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on different types of food

Several annual and perennial crops are severely attacked by mites from the family Eriophyidae, Tenuipalpidae and Tetranychidae. A suitable alternative commonly used in several countries for the control of these pest mites involve the use of predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae. The phytoseiid fauna in the Brazilian natural vegetation is very rich, but nothing is known about the biology of most of these species, as it is the case with Proprioseiopsis cannaensis (Muma). The objective of this study was to determine biological parameters of P. cannaensis fed on pest mite species such as Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) (Eriophyidae), Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Tenuipalpidae) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Tetranychidae). To enable a comparison for different food sources, one of the treatments consisted of pollen from Typha angustifolia L. The study was conducted in the laboratory at 25+/-1 masculineC, 80+/-10% RH and Photophase of 12 h. Proprioseiopsis cannaensis did not complete the development when it was fed on P. oleivora. Its fecundity was very low with all other food sources (maximum of 3.3 eggs/female with pollen of T. angustifolia). The values of r m for P. cannaensis were -0.05, -0.09 and 0.002 when fed on B. phoenicis, T. urticae and pollen respectively. The unsatisfactory results from the four types of food sources do not permit us to conclude that P. cannaensis utilizes mites from the family Eriophyidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tetranychidae or pollen from different plant species as principal sources of food in nature.

Mites associated with sugarcane crop and with native trees from adjacent Atlantic forest fragment in Brazil

In some Brazilian regions the Atlantic forest biome is currently restrict to fragments occurring amid monocultures, as sugarcane crops in the Northeast region. Important influence of forest remnants over mite fauna of permanent crops have been showed, however it has been poorly explored on annual crops. The first step for understanding ecological relationship in an agricultural systems is known its composition. The objective of this study was to investigate the plant-inhabiting mite fauna associated with sugarcane crop (Saccharum officinarum L.) (Poaceae) and caboatã (Cupania oblongifolia Mart.) (Sapindaceae) trees in the state of Alagoas, Brazil. Sugarcane stalks and sugarcane and caboatã apical, middle and basal leaves were sampled. A total of 2565 mites were collected from sugarcane and classified into seven families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders, with most individuals belonging to the Eriophyidae, Tetranychidae and Tarsonemidae families. Among predatory mites, the Phytoseiidae were the most common. A total of 1878 mites were found on C. oblongifolia and classified into 13 families of Trombidiformes and Mesostigmata orders. The most abundant phytophagous mite family on caboatã was also Eriophyidae. In contrast to sugarcane, Ascidae was the most common predatory mite family observed in caboatã. No phytophagous species were common to both sugarcane and C. oblongifolia. However two predatory mites were shared between host plants. Although mites associated with only one native species in the forest fragment were evaluated in this study, our preliminary results suggest Atlantic forest native vegetation can present an important role in the sugarcane agricultural system as a source of natural enemies.

Predatory mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Prostigmata: Tarsonemidae) on solanaceous plants

Abstract Vegetables of the family Solanaceae are particularly at risk from pest infestations. Among these pests, mites stand out, species Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Prostigmata: Tarsonemidae). Attacks by this pest reduce agricultural yield and require the use of control measures. Predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae have been identified and used in several countries as biological control agents of mites, whiteflies and thrips. The objective of the present study was to identify the occurrence of predatory mites associated with P. latus on solanaceous plants. Samples were collected from bell pepper (Capsicum annum L.), chili (C. frutescens L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). Sampling was carried out in the municipalities of Arapiraca, Feira Grande, Limoeiro de Anadia, and São Sebastião, all in the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. Samples were collected every two weeks, from June to September 2014. A total of 9,316 mite specimens was found, comprising 579 specimens of Mesostigmata and 8,737 phytophagous mites identified as P. latus. Among the Mesostigmata, 565 belonged to the family Phytoseiidae and ten to the family Ascidae. The phytoseiids were classified into 15 species of seven genera; 14 of the genera belonged to Amblyseiinae and only one to Phytoseiinae. The ascids were represented by two morphospecies of two genera. Fifty-two percent of the Mesostigmata were found on eggplants. Polyphagotarsonemus latus was found in large numbers on all crops.

Two new species of Afrodacarellus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Rhodacaridae) from Brazil and a key to the world species of the genus

Within a project to determine the edaphic predatory mites from the Brazilian Alagoas state, two new species of Afrodacarellus Hurlbutt (Rhodacaridae) were found, namely Afrodacarellus alagoensis Santos & Castilho n. sp. and Afrodacarellus xucurukariri Santos & Castilho n. sp.. These are here described based on the morphology of adult females. A key for the separation of females of the 31 recognisable world species of Afrodacarellus is provided, including the newly described species.

Eriophyidae mites from Cupania trees (Sapindaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in Brazil: three new genera and five new species

Abstract Eight new taxa of Eriophyidae mites associated with native trees in the Cupania genus—C. oblongifolia Mart. and C. impressinervia Acev (Sapindaceae)—from the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, are described and illustrated. They include two new genera and two new species of Nothopodinae, Colopodacini (Setibia domatiagena gen. nov., sp. nov. and Aricolopodos alagoensis gen. nov., sp. nov.), one new genus and two new species of Cecidophyinae, Colomerini (Euryslobos keronidos gen. nov., sp. nov. and Gammaphytoptus cupanius sp. nov.), and one new species of Phyllocoptinae, Tegonotini (Shevtchenkella caboata sp. nov.).

Three new species of eriophyoid mites (Acariformes, Eriophyoidea) from Lippia alba (Verbenaceae) from Brazil, and remarks on the thorn-like spermathecal process

Abstract Three new vagrant species of eriophyoid mites living on the lower leaf surface of Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown (Verbenaceae) in the Northeast and Center West Brazil, are described and illustrated. They are: Paraphytoptus serenus sp. nov. and Tegoprionus alobus sp. nov. (both from family Eriophyidae) and Rhynacus lippius sp. nov. (Diptilomiopidae). Detailed anatomy of internal genitalia of the representatives of the three eriophyoid genera (Rhynacus, Paraphytoptus and Tegoprionus) was studied and described for the first time. A new, previously neglected genital structure of eriophyoids, the thorn-like spermathecal process, has been discovered with the aid of confocal laser scanning microscopy. Preliminary analysis indicates that this structure is common for many eriophyid and diptilomiopid species, however it is absent in phytoptid mites. The hypothesis that presence/absence of this process separate contemporary families of Eriophyoidea (Phytoptidae and Eriophyidae+Diptilomiopidae) needs further testing.

Two new species of Rykellus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) from Brazil and a key to the world species of the genus.

Rykellus anibali n. sp. and Rykellus mineiroi n. sp. are described from adult females and males collected from litter and soil in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A key for the identification of females of the eight recognisable world species of Rykellus is provided.

Figures 8 – 11 In A New Species Of Hydrogamasellus (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ologamasidae) From Brazil, With A Key To The World Species Of The Genus

FIGURES 8 – 11. Hydrogamasellus alagoensis sp. nov., male. 8. Antiaxial view of chelicera; 9. Epistome; 10. Ventral idiosoma; 11. Anterolateral view of femur, genu and tibia of leg II. Lyrifissures enlarged for improved visibility.