Microscopic analysis of the microbiota of three commercial Phytoseiidae species (Acari: Mesostigmata)

Microbes associated with the external and internal anatomy of three commercially available predatory mite species, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Typhlodromips (=Amblyseius) swiskii, and Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) cucumeris were examined using light microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Four microbe morphotypes were observed on external body regions. These included three microfungi-like organisms (named T1, T2 and T3) and rod-shaped bacteria (T4). Morphotypes showed unique distributions on the external body regions and certain microbes were found only on one host species. Microfungi-like T1 were present in all three species whereas T2 and T3 were present in only P. persimilis and T. swirskii respectively. T1 and T2 microbes were most abundant on the ventral structures of the idiosoma and legs, most frequently associated with coxae, coxal folds, ventrianal shields and epigynal shields. T3 microbes were most abundant on legs and dorsal idiosoma. T4 microbes were less abundant and were attached to epigynal shields of N. cucumeris and T. swirskii. Significant differences in distribution between seasons (spring and winter) suggest that there are fluctuations in the microbiota of phytoseiids in mass reared systems. FISH using the EUB338 (I-III) probes showed bacteria within the alimentary tract, in Malpighian tubules and anal atria. It is possible these have a role in absorbing excretory products or maintaining gut physiology. We suggest how microbes might be transmitted to offspring and throughout populations. The implications of these findings for commercial mass rearing are discussed. This study highlights the necessity of understanding the intrinsic microbiota of Phytoseiidae and other Acari

Revision of the genus <i>Hyalomma</i>

The identity of Hyalomma lusitanicum K. and H. anatolicum K. is discussed. The male and female of the two species are described. H. anatolicum is considered as species inquirenda, but distinct from H. anatolicum anatolicum (sensu Pomeranzev) and H. anatolicum excavatum (sensu Pomeranzev). H. anatolicum anatolicum and H. anatolicum excavatum are considered to be one polymorphic species. This species should be called H. excavatum as it tallies with the still existing type specimen of H. excavatum Koch; it should not be called H. anatolicum as it does not correspond to Koch's description of H. anatolicum. The name H. anatolicum should for the present be reserved for a species resembling H. excavatum, but characterized by the light yellow colour of the anterior part of the scutum. It remains to be determined by breeding experiments whether this character is constant.</jats:p

Revision of the genus <i>Hyalomma</i> II. The subgenus <i>Hyalommina</i>

The validity of the subgenus Hyalommina is discussed and reaffirmed.Hyalommina is differentiated from Hyalomma by the absence of the subanal plates in the males and by the humped tarsi and the more or less hexagonal basis capituli in both sexes.The male and the female of H. rhipicephaloides Neumann, 1901 are re-described. The larva and nymph of H. rhipicepholoides are described for the first time.The Indian species H. hussaini Sharif, 1928 and H. kumari Sharif, 1928 are re-described. H. hussaini var. brevipunctata Sharif, 1928 is considered as a species inquirenda.H. lewisi Schulze, 1936 is synonymized with Hyalomma truncatum K., 1844 (Feldman-Muhsam, 1954).</jats:p

On the duration of larval and nymphal quiescence in male and female Ixodid ticks

Differences between sexes in the duration of larval and nymphal quiescence in Ixodid ticks were investigated in Israel in the laboratory. In H. dromedarii Koch the larval quiescence of the male was, on average about 4 hours longer than that of the female, but in Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latr.) no significant difference was found. In five species a statistically significant difference in the length of nymphal quiescence was found between males and females; in three of them, R. sanguineus, R. secundus Fel.-Muh. and H. dromedarii, that of the male exceeded that of the female by 1/2 to 1 1/2 days and in the other two, H. marginatum Koch and H. excavatum Koch, the opposite was found, the difference being 1·3 and 3·7 days, respectively.</jats:p