Life cycle of Cosmolaelaps jaboticabalensis (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) on Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and two factitious food sources

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

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 Sao Paulo, Brazil. A key for the identification of females of the eight recognisable world species of Rykellus is provided.

New records of feather mites (Acari: Astigmata) from Brazil, with description of a new species from the Black Vulture (Aves: Cathartidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Two new feather mites of the genus Calcealges Gaud, 1952 (Acari: Trouessartiidae) from antbirds (Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae) in Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

New species of Daidalotarsonemus and Excelsotarsonemus (Acari, Tarsonemidae) from the Brazilian rainforest

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) from rubber tree crops in the State of Bahia, Brazil, with description of two new species

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Brasilacarus cocaris (Acari: Opilioacaridae), a new genus and species from Amazonia, Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Reinstatement of the genus Colopalpus Pritchard and Baker (1958) and re-description of Colopalpus matthyssei Pritchard and Baker (1958), the type species of the genus (Acari, Tenuipalpidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Action of ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Tagetes patula L. (Asteraceae) on hatchability and embryogenesis of Rhipicephalus sanguineus eggs (Acari: Ixodidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Amblyomma yucumense n. sp (Acari: Ixodidae), a parasite of wild mammals in Southern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Life cycle of Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) on ornamental plants, mostly Arecaceae

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst, has been primarily found associated with coconut and musaceous plants in the New World. However, it has also been recorded on several other palms, heliconiaceous and zingiberaceous species. This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of different botanical families on which R. indica has been collected in the field and of arecaceous plants of the natural vegetation of the neotropics. In total, ten species of Arecaceae as well as Heliconia psittacorum [Heliconiaceae] and Alpinia purpurata [Zingiberacae] were evaluated, using coconut as a control. The study was carried out under controlled conditions (29 +/- A 0.5 A degrees C, 60 +/- A 10 % RH and photoperiod 12 h of light). Raoiella indica was able to complete immature development only on coconut, Adonidia merrillii, Ptychosperma macarthurii, H. psittacorum and A. purpurata. Duration of the immature phase (egg-adult) ranged between 21.5 days on coconut to 34.1 days on A. purpurata. Longevity was at least 50 % greater and oviposition at least 38 % higher on coconut than on other plants. Intrinsic rate of increase (r(m)) was higher on coconut (0.166) and A. merrillii (0.042), but negative on the other two plant species. Raoiella indica could not reach adulthood on any of the other ten arecaceous species considered in the study. The results suggested R. indica to be a threat to A. merrillii in addition to coconut, but not to other evaluated plants. However, complementary studies should be conducted to investigate whether the experimental procedures adopted in this study could not have prevented the mite from a better performance than it could have been under field conditions, especially in relation to Mauritia flexuosa, one of the dominant arecaceous plants in South America.

Interspecific interactions involving Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Agistemus brasiliensis (Acari: Stigmaeidae) as predators of Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Population trends of the red palm mite, raoiella indica hirst (acari: tenuipalpidae) and associated entomopathogenic fungi in trinidad, antigua, st kitts and nevis and dominica

A survey to determine population trends and entomopathogenic fungi associated with the red palm mite (RPM), Raoiella indica, was conducted in Trinidad, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis and Dominica. RPM population density was evaluated by sampling a total of ten coconut palms per site in Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Trinidad (Manzanilla and Icacos). Mites from the four islands were either surface sterilized or left unsterilized before being cultured on Tap Water Agar (TWA). A total of 318 fungal colonies were retrieved. A further 96 mites from Dominica were kept on sterile moist filter paper in a humidity chamber and a further 85 colonies were isolated. Based on morphological observations of all 403 isolates, a sample consisting of 32 colonies (8 %) was sent for identification at CABI-UK. Of the 27 fungi positively identified, 15 isolates belonged to the genera Cladosporium, three to Simplicillium spp., and one to Penicillium. Other fungi genera with limited or no entomopathogenic potential included: Aspergillus, Cochliobolus, Fusarium, Pestalotiopsis and Pithomyces. The results show a potential use of entomopathogenic fungi for population management of the red palm mite in the Caribbean region.

A new species of Galendromimus Muma from Brazil (Acari: Phytoseiidae), with a review of the tribe Galendromimini Chant & McMurtry

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Hypersensitivity induced in dogs by nymphal extract of Amblyomma cajennense ticks (Acari:Ixodidae)

In general, hosts develop resistance to ticks after repeated infestations; nevertheless, several studies on naturally occurring host-tick interactions were unable to detect resistance of hosts to ticks even after repeated infestations. The purpose of this investigation was to study the type of cutaneous hypersensitivity to unfed nymphal extract of A. cajennense in dogs, which, unlike guinea pigs, do not develop resistance. A first, but no second, peak in skin reaction was observed, suggesting that cellular immunity is an important mechanism of resistance to ticks. This may partially explain why guinea pigs, but not dogs, develop resistance against ticks.