Edward W. Baker

Notes on honey bee mites of the genus Acarapis Hirst (Acari: Tarsonemidae).

Abstract The honey bee mites, Acarapis woodi (Rennie), A. dorsalis Morgenthaler and A. externus Morgenthaler are redescribed and illustrated in detail; their morphology and biology as well as distribution are reviewed and discussed. Species may be identified by morphological as well as biological characteristics. A key to the identification of females is given. Acarapis woodi is restricted to the prothoracic thacheae of the adult bee hosts: Apis mellifera L., A. mellifera adansonii Latr. and A. cerana indica Fabr. Acarapis dorsalis and A. externus are found externally on A. mellifera, the former in the dorsal groove between the mesoscutum and mesoscutellum, the latter on the membranous area between the posterior region of the head and thorax and in the posterior tentorial pits. Acarapis vagans Schneider is relegated to a nomen dubium.

New mites (Sennertia: Chaetodactylidae) phoretic on honey bees (Apis Mellifera L.) in Guatemala

Abstract Two new phoretic mites, Sennertia shimanukii and S. faini are described from specimens found in a sample of dead honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) from Guatemala. The bees were parasitized by a conopid fly (Physocephala sp.) with the conopid larva present either in the abdomen or in the thorax of the bee. Acarapis dorsalis Morganthaler and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) were found also in the bee sample and are reported as new distribution records from Central America. The honey bee is a new host record of the genus Sennertia, a phoretic associate of carpenter bees (Xylocopidae).

A new genus and species of Hypoaspidinae (acari: laelapidae) from nests of stingless bees

Abstract A new genus and species, Neohypoaspis ampliseta, is described and illustrated, and its unusual hypoaspidine morphological features are discussed. This mite inhabits the nests of stingless bees, Trigona fulviventris and T. hypogea from Panama, and is a predator on other mite species. All developmental stages are found in the nests.

Blocking Oxidation Failures of Carbon Nanotubes through Selective Protection of Defects

The selective growth of Al2 O3 islands over defect sites on the surface of carbon nanotubes significantly increases the oxidation breakdown threshold to 6.8 W cm(-2) , more than double than that of unprotected films. The elevated input power enables thermoacoustic emissions at loud audible sound pressure levels of 90.1 dB, which are inaccessible with the unprotected films.

Some laelapid mites (Laelapidae: Mesostigmata) found in nests of wasps and stingless bees

Abstract Two new species of Bisternalis (Laelapidae: Mesostigmata) associated with stingless bees and wasps are described and illustrated. These are B. hunteri from Panama and B. mexicanus from Mexico from nests of wasps and stingless bees (Melipona) respectively. Both species are compared with B. rettenmeyeri Hunter from stingless bee cells and combs (Trigona) from Panama. The genus Bisternalis now contains three species, two of which are associated with stingless bees (Trigona and Melipona) in the New World. Hypoaspis meliponarum Vitzthum is reported also from the nest of a stingless bee (Melipona) from Mexico.

Acari domum Meliponinarum brasiliensium habitantes. V: Two new genera and species of Laelapidae (Mesostigmata: Acari) from stingless bee nests

Abstract Melittiphisoides apiarium , n. gen., n. sp. and Hunteria brasiliensis , n. gen., n. sp. (Laelapidae: Mesostigmata) are described and figured from the nests of meliponine stingless bees (Apidae: Hymenoptera) taken in Brasil. These mites are presumably permanent commensals in the bee nests.