Rana Akyazi

Population dynamics of mites (Acari) on Diospyros kaki Thunb. and Diospyros lotus L. (Ebenaceae) trees in Ordu, Turkey*

Absract Populations of mites (Phytoseiidae, Stigmaeidae, Cunaxidae, Cheyletidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tarsonemidae, Tydeidae, Acaridae) were monitored on Diospyros kaki Thunb. and Diospyros lotus L. (Ebenaceae) in Ordu, Turkey during 2012 and 2013. Phytoseiid, tydeid and acarid populations were higher on D. kaki (both seasons). Cunaxid populations were higher on this species in 2012. Tenuipalpids (2012) and stigmaeids (2013) were significantly more abundant on D. lotus. Populations of pest mites did not reach high levels in persimmon trees not exposed to pesticides. A significant positive correlation between rainfall and tenuipalpid (both persimmon species in 2013) and cunaxid (D. lotus, 2013) populations. There was also a significant negative correlation between relative humidity and tydeid (D. kaki in 2012) and cunaxid (D. kaki in 2013) populations. Temperature showed generally a positive correlation with mite populations, however, a significant negative correlation was detected in tenuipalpid (both species in 2012, D. kaki in 2013) and cheyletid populations (D. kaki in 2012).

Distribution of mite species (Acari) on persimmon trees in Turkey (Ordu), with one newly recorded mite species and one re-described species

ABSTRACT Persimmon is a deciduous and perennial tree of the Ebenaceae family. Diospyros kaki Thunb. and Diospyros lotus L. are the most common persimmon species in Turkey and cultivated especially in the northeastern parts of the country. This study was carried out to determine the mite species on D. kaki and D. lotus in the Ordu province (Black Sea region, Turkey) during 2012 and 2013. The survey was conducted weekly between April and October of each year. Leaf samples were collected from nine different districts (Altınordu, Çaybaşı, Fatsa, Gülyalı, İkizce, Kabadüz, Perşembe, Ulubey, and Ünye) of the Ordu province. Thirty-five mite species representing three orders were found in the surveys. Tydeus goetzi Schruft, 1972 (Prostigmata: Tydeidae) is newly discovered from Turkey and here described and illustrated. Brachytydeus paraobliqua (Panou & Emmanouel, 1996) (Prostigmata: Tydeidae) is re-described and its trito- and deutonymph are described for the first time. The results also showed that predatory mites formed the larger component of the mite fauna on persimmon.

New report of Brevipalpus yothersi (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae) on blueberry in Florida

Abstract Brevipalpus yothersi (Baker, 1949) (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae) is newly reported on southern highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L. X V. darrowi Camp (Ericaceae), in Florida, USA. The specimens were collected from a commercial southern highbush blueberry planting of Abundance, Emerald, and Meadowlark blueberry varieties from Sep to Nov 2016. The species is described based on morphological (light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy) methods. Information on its economic importance, host plants, and geographical distribution also is provided.