Increased susceptibility of black-currant bushes to the gall-mite vector (Phytoptusribis Nal.) following infection with reversion virus

Healthy black-currant bushes (var. Wellington XXX) and others infected systemically with a virulent strain of reversion virus were exposed equally to infestation by the gall-mite vector (Phytoptus ribis Nal.). Shoots with malformed leaves caused by mites feeding at the stem apices were virtually restricted to the virus-infected bushes. Buds infested with mites became rounded galls, which were far fewer and more localized on shoots of healthy bushes than on infected ones. Similar results were obtained in further experiments with Wellington XXX and seven other varieties. Bushes infected systemically with an avirulent strain of reversion virus developed more galls than healthy bushes, but fewer galls than bushes infected with a virulent strain. The young buds of virus-infected bushes were 170 times more susceptible to dispersing mites than those of healthy bushes. The axillary buds of healthy bushes resisted infestation and the apical meristems were virtually inaccessible to mites, whereas the axillary and apical buds of virus-infected bushes were invaded readily. An experiment with bushes var. Cotswold Cross that were either healthy or partially or completely infected with reversion virus was retained for two years. Each year there was a relationship between symptom expression and mite infestation; only shoots with chronic virus symptoms developed mite-affected leaves and numerous galls. Virus infection increased the vulnerability and accessibility of the apical and axillary buds by decreasing the density of hairs on the stems and leaves. Infected bushes also presented a greater catchment area to dispersing mites and more shoots and buds were available for colonization than on healthy bushes. The interactions between virus, host and vector are discussed, together with their implications in nature, in experimental design and in disease control.     

A laboratory study of the effects of cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus on Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Larvae of Heliothis virescens reared from eggs contaminated with cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus weighed 50% less than those reared from virus-free eggs. The larval stage in a virus-infected group was 4 days longer than that of a healthy group, and diseased pupae weighed an average of 60 mg less than healthy pupae. Furthermore, adult emergence was reduced 10% in virus-infected pupae, diseased moths lived 9 days less than healthy moths, and production of eggs was reduced 68% in diseased females.     

Field experiments on the chemical control of blackcurrant reversion virus and its gall-mite vector (Phytoptus ribis Nal.)

Healthy blackcurrant bushes and others infected with reversion virus were exposed equally to infestation by the gall-mite vector (Phytoptus ribis Nal.) spreading from unsprayed sources planted nearby. Four applications of 1·0% lime sulphur at fortnightly intervals during the dispersal period were less effective than 0·05% endosulfan in preventing the infestation of healthy bushes, whereas endrin at 0·04% gave almost complete control. All spray treatments were much less effective when applied to the virus-infected bushes, although endosulfan remained superior to lime sulphur and inferior to endrin. Infected bushes sprayed with lime sulphur developed more galls than unsprayed healthy bushes. In another experiment, four applications of endrin or lime sulphur decreased the spread of mites and reversion virus from infested bushes to adjacent sprayed and unsprayed bushes. Lime sulphur was much less effective than endrin in preventing infestation with mites, but more effective in decreasing the incidence of virus. These results are discussed in relation to commercial spray programmes and to the design of experiments on the effectiveness and mode of action of spray materials against mites and virus.     

A Simple Technique for Purifying Fungal Cultures Contaminated with Bacteria and Mites

A simple technique was developed for purifying fungal cultures contaminated with bacteria and mites. It was based on the observation that the growth of bacteria and movement of mites were confined to the upper surface of the agar. A culture contaminated with bacteria and mites was transferred to a piece of clean paper with the upper surface facing down. Small thin pieces (approximately 3 mm × 3 mm × 0.5 mm) of agar were removed from the exposed surface and transferred to a V-8 agar plate. Colonies that developed from these agar pieces were free from bacteria and mites.     

Inhibition of formation of birefringent crystals by high humidity in citrus red mites infected with virus

The presence of birefringent crystalline inclusions within the bodies of citrus red mites, Panonychus citri, infected with a nonoccluded virus is the major criterion for diagnosis. However, if mites inoculated with the virus are exposed to a high humidity within 5–6 days, the initiation of these crystals is greatly inhibited.     

Uptake of Bacteriophage and Their Subsequent Survival in Edible West Coast Crabs After Processing

Edible West Coast crabs (Cancer magister and Cancer antennarius), when in seawater contaminated with coliphage T4, were found to accumulate high titers of this virus. To study the extent of the hazard presented by crabs contaminated with virus, samples of edible crabs were contaminated with coliphage T4 and then processed by boiling. Results indicated that virus in crabs withstood this method of processing. The survival rate varied from 2.5 to 20%, depending upon the processing time. Heat penetration studies showed that, although internal temperature in the crabs was sufficient to inactivate virus, the processing times normally used to cook crabs were not. These results suggest that processed crabs could serve as vectors for the dissemination of virus diseases if the crabs are harvested from a polluted area.     

Larval Chigger Mites Collected from Small Mammals in 3 Provinces,Korea

A total of 9,281 larval chigger mites were collected from small mammals captured at Hwaseong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (Province) (2,754 mites from 30 small mammals), Asan city, Chungcheongnam-do (3,358 mites from 48 mammals), and Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (3,169 for 62 mammals) from April-November 2009 in the Republic of Korea (= Korea) and were identified to species. Leptotrombidium pallidum was the predominant species in Hwaseong (95.8%) and Asan (61.2%), while Leptotrombidium scutellare was the predominant species collected from Jangseong (80.1%). Overall, larval chigger mite indices decreased from April (27.3) to June (4.9), then increased in September (95.2) and to a high level in November (169.3). These data suggest that L. pallidum and L. scutellare are the primary vectors of scrub typhus throughout their range in Korea. While other species of larval chigger mites were also collected with some implications in the transmission of Orientia tsutsugamushi, they only accounted for 11.2% of all larval chigger mites collected from small mammals.     

The resistance mechanism of the Asian honey bee,Apis cerana Fabr., to an ectoparasitic mite,Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans

A behavioral and physiological resistance mechanism of the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) to an ectoparasitic mite, Varroa jacobsoni, which causes severe damage to the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) in the beekeeping industry worldwide, is reported here for the first time. Parasitism by the mite induced Asian worker bees to perform a series of cleaning behaviors that effectively removed the mites from the bodies of the adult host bees. The mites were subsequently killed and removed from the bee hives in a few seconds to a few minutes. The grooming behavior consists of self-cleaning, grooming dance, nestmate cleaning, and group cleaning. Worker bees can also rapidly and effectively remove the mites from the brood. The European bee showed cleaning behavior at low frequency and generally failed to remove the mites from both the adult bees and the brood.     

The transmission and effect on yield of ryegrass mosaic virus in a filtered air environment

The eriophyid mite vectors of ryegrass mosaic virus (RMV) were excluded from ryegrass by covering plots with a polyethylene film house ventilated by filtered air. Initially plots were manually inoculated to give different levels of RMV. During two seasons no mites were found within the house so that all transmission of virus was by sap. Rolling and frequent cutting of uninfected plots decreased yields, but surprisingly, increasing virus infection did not decrease yields significantly. Cutting transmitted virus within infected plots but not from infected to healthy plots, whereas combined rolling and cutting did transfer virus to healthy plots.     

Evaluation of the benefits of a myrmecophilous oribatid mite, Aribates javensis, to a myrmicine ant, Myrmecina sp.

I studied the myrmicine ant Myrmecina sp. A in West Java, Indonesia, which had the obligately myrmecophilous oribatid mite Aribates javensis in its nests. The oribatid mites cannot survive without ant attendance. The ants rarely eat living mites, but they feed on the mites in case of food shortage and after death of the mites. I examined the effects of the oribatid mites as food on the host ants. Egg production by ergatoid (i.e. permanently wingless) queens and larval survival of ant colonies, as well as survival and egg laying of isolated ant workers were investigated. The presence of oribatid mites had no effects on egg production by ergatoid queens and survival of the ant larvae neither in the presence of abundant food nor under starvation conditions. Survival of adult workers was not affected by the presence of oribatid mites, but egg production by workers was significantly enhanced by feeding on mites. The present results indicate that the oribatid mites had slight but significant nutritional effects on the host ants.     

核型多角体病毒与侧沟茧蜂对斜纹夜蛾幼虫的协同作用

研究了斜纹夜蛾幼虫体内的斜纹夜蛾侧沟茧蜂存活率、发育历期、寄主感染病毒时间、病毒浓度之间的关系,并测定了斜纹夜蛾侧沟茧蜂的传毒效率．结果表明,病毒对寄主体内寄生蜂历期无明显影响,寄生在幼虫体内的寄生蜂能在寄主病死前完成发育,存活比例因寄主感染病毒的时间和浓度而异．斜纹夜蛾被寄生后接种病毒(SINPV),距离寄生时间越长,饲毒浓度越低,寄生蜂完成发育的比例越大,但饲毒时间是主要影响因素．从感病幼虫体内发育成的侧沟茧蜂或曾经在感病寄主上产过卵的寄生蜂,以及通过人工方式使产卵器被病毒污染的寄生蜂,均能携带一定数量的病毒．通过产卵活动,侧沟茧蜂成蜂能在寄主幼虫个体间传递病毒．当寄生蜂在感病的寄主幼虫上产卵带毒后,平均可传递病毒给2．14头幼虫;发育于感病幼虫体内的寄生蜂,平均可传递病毒给2．45头幼虫．通过用病毒液浸茧或用混有病毒的蜂蜜饲喂成蜂等方式使产卵器污染病毒的寄生蜂,传毒效率随饲毒浓度增加而提高,平均可传递病毒1．45头和0．94头幼虫     

The ectoparasitic mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae (Acari, Laelapidae) as a vector of honeybee viruses

The ectoparasitic mites Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps mercedesae share life history traits and both infect honeybee colonies, Apis mellifera. Since V. destructor is a biological vector of several honeybee viruses, we here test whether T. mercedesae can also be infected and enable virus replication. In Kunming (China), workers and T. mercedesae mites were sampled from three A. mellifera colonies, where workers were exhibiting clinical symptoms of deformed wing virus (DWV). We analysed a pooled bee sample (15 workers) and 29 mites for the presence of Deformed wing virus (DWV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Sacbrood virus (SBV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), and Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV). Virus positive samples were analysed with a qPCR. Only DWV +RNA was found but with a high titre of up to 10⁸ equivalent virus copies per mite and 10⁶ per bee. Moreover, in all DWV positive mites (N= 12) and in the bee sample virus–RNA was also detected using RT-PCR and tagged RT-PCR, strongly suggesting virus replication. Our data show for the first time that T. mercedesae may be a biological vector of DWV, which would open a novel route of virus spread in A. mellifera. Received 6 June 2008; revised 14 August 2008; accepted 10 September 2008.     

Staphylococcus,paramyxovirus-like,rickettsia-like and other structures in Peregrinus maidis (Homoptera,delphacidae)

In an ultrastructural study of the delphacid planthopper, Peregrinus maidis, vector of maize mosaic virus (MMV) and maize stripe virus (MStpV), the following structures were found in several organs of MMV-inoculative, MStpV-inoculative, and noninoculative insects: (a) paramyxovirus-like particles (PLP), (b) filamentous rhabdo-like structures (FRS), (c) spiked double-membrane structures (SDS) that were always associated, and sometimes contiguous, with FRS, and (d) rickettsia-like structures (RLS). In salivary gland acini, the PLP, FRS, and SDS were usually found in extracellular spaces between basal infoldings of plasma membranes, whereas the RLS were intracytoplasmic or intranuclear. The PLP and FRS appeared to bud through plasma membranes. The colony of P. maidis in which these structures were found suffered from retarded development and premature death. Limited trials to isolate a paramyxovirus from this colony were unsuccessful. However, further trials led to the isolation of Staphylococcus sciuri, which proved pathogenic when injected into P. maidis and two cicadellid leafhoppers; Dalbulus maidis and Graminella nigrifrons.     

Prevalence and Seasonal Variations of Six Bee Viruses in Apis mellifera L. and Varroa destructor Mite Populations in France

A survey of six bee viruses on a large geographic scale was undertaken by using seemingly healthy bee colonies and the PCR technique. Samples of adult bees and pupae were collected from 36 apiaries in the spring, summer, and autumn during 2002. Varroa destructor samples were collected at the end of summer following acaricide treatment. In adult bees, during the year deformed wing virus (DWV) was found at least once in 97% of the apiaries, sacbrood virus (SBV) was found in 86% of the apiaries, chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) was found in 28% of the apiaries, acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV) was found in 58% of the apiaries, black queen cell virus (BQCV) was found in 86% of the apiaries, and Kashmir bee virus (KBV) was found in 17% of the apiaries. For pupae, the following frequencies were obtained: DWV, 94% of the apiaries; SBV, 80% of the apiaries; CBPV, none of the apiaries; ABPV, 23% of the apiaries; BQCV, 23% of the apiaries; and KBV, 6% of the apiaries. In Varroa samples, the following four viruses were identified: DWV (100% of the apiaries), SBV (45% of the apiaries), ABPV (36% of the apiaries), and KBV (5% of the apiaries). The latter findings support the putative role of mites in transmitting these viruses. Taken together, these data indicate that bee virus infections occur persistently in bee populations despite the lack of clinical signs, suggesting that colony disease outbreaks might result from environmental factors that lead to activation of viral replication in bees.     

Detection,Prevalence and Phylogenetic Relationships of Demodex spp and further Skin Prostigmata Mites (Acari,Arachnida) in Wild and Domestic Mammals

This study was conceived to detect skin mites in social mammals through real-time qPCR, and to estimate taxonomic Demodex and further Prostigmata mite relationships in different host species by comparing sequences from two genes: mitochondrial 16S rRNA and nuclear 18S rRNA. We determined the mite prevalence in the hair follicles of marmots (13%) and bats (17%). The high prevalence found in marmots and bats by sampling only one site on the body may indicate that mites are common inhabitants of their skin. Since we found three different mites (Neuchelacheles sp, Myobia sp and Penthaleus sp) in three bat species (Miotis yumanensis, Miotis californicus and Corynorhinus townsendii) and two different mites (both inferred to be members of the Prostigmata order) in one marmot species (Marmota flaviventris), we tentatively concluded that these skin mites 1) cannot be assigned to the same genus based only on a common host, and 2) seem to evolve according to the specific habitat and/or specific hair and sebaceous gland of the mammalian host. Moreover, two M. yumanensis bats harbored identical Neuchelacheles mites, indicating the possibility of interspecific cross-infection within a colony. However, some skin mites species are less restricted by host species than previously thought. Specifically, Demodex canis seems to be more transmissible across species than other skin mites. D. canis have been found mostly in dogs but also in cats and captive bats. In addition, we report the first case of D. canis infestation in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius). All these mammalian hosts are related to human activities, and D. canis evolution may be a consequence of this relationship. The monophyletic Demodex clade showing closely related dog and human Demodex sequences also supports this likely hypothesis.     

Distribution of deformed wing virus within honey bee (Apis mellifera) brood cells infested with the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor

The distribution of deformed wing virus (DWV) in adult female Varroa destructor and in their progeny in relation to the pupal host bee was investigated to evaluate acquisition and transfer of DWV by the mites. The results clearly show that adult female mites regularly act as competent vectors of DWV, however, they do not acquire or transfer virus on all possible occasions. Mother mites may contain DWV while the pupal host remains free from overt infection and both mother mites and mite progeny may not acquire detectable amounts of DWV from an infected host bee. However, a majority of mites feeding on pupae that emerge with deformed wings will contain DWV. The data also demonstrates that both adult and immature mite progeny most likely acquire DWV from DWV-infected host bees and not from their mother mites. Possible explanations for the obtained results are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Skin-associated Bacillus, staphylococcal and micrococcal species from the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and bacteriolytic enzymes

Dust mites produce bacteriolytic enzymes, one of which belongs to the NlpC/P60 superfamily comprising bacterial and fungal proteins. Whether this enzyme is derived from the mite or from mite-associated microbes is unclear. To this end, the bacteriology of mites per se, and carpet and mattress dust from a group of asthmatic children and their parents was investigated. Dust from parents’ and children’s mattresses yielded significantly more colony forming units compared with dust from their corresponding carpets. Zymography demonstrated some dusts contained bacteriolytic enzymes, and in nine of the twelve dust samples from three of five houses examined, a prominent bacteriolytic band was obtained that corresponded to the mite band, although in one home, other lytic bands were detected. Fifty bacterial isolates were obtained from surface-sterilised, commercially obtained Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. 16S rRNA, tuf and rpoB gene sequencing of nine Gram-positive isolates identified them as Bacillus cereus, B. licheniformis, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, S. capitis and Micrococcus luteus, known human skin commensals. 16S rRNA sequence homologies of four of the nine isolates identified as B. licheniformis formed a distinct phylogenetic cluster. All species secreted lytic enzymes during culture although the lytic profiles obtained differed between the rods and the cocci, and none of the bands detected corresponded to those observed in dust or mites. In conclusion, mites harbour a variety of bacterial species often associated with human skin and house dusts contain bacteriolytic enzymes that may be mite-derived. The identification of a novel cluster of B. licheniformis isolates suggests an ecological adaptation to laboratory-reared D. pteronyssinus. It remains to be determined whether the previously described mite-associated 14 K lytic enzyme is derived from a microbial source.     

Recapture of male and female dragonflies in relation to parasitism by mites, time of season, wing length and wing cell symmetry

For aquatic mites parasitic on dragonflies, completion of their life cycle depends on their being returned to appropriate water bodies by their hosts, after completion of engorgement. We examined whether differences among hosts in timing of emergence or phenotypic attributes might affect their probability of return to an emergence pond, and hence success of mites. Parasitized males and females of the dragonfly Sympetrum obtrusum (Hagen) did not differ in overall recapture rates. Females that had wing cell symmetry and emerged early were more likely to be recaptured than females that emerged later or had wing cell asymmetry, but there were no consistent relations between these variables and parasitism by mites. No such relations between wing cell asymmetry, emergence date, and recapture likelihood were found for males. Using randomization tests, we found that mean intensities of Arrenurus planus (Marshall) mites at host emergence were the same for recaptured females and females not recaptured; however, males that were recaptured had lower mean intensities of mites at emergence than males not recaptured. Further, mature females carried more mites than mature males, and the latter had fewer mites than newly emerged males not recaptured. Biases in detachment of engorging mites do not explain the differences in parasitism between mature males and females, nor the differences in mite numbers between mature males and newly emerged males that were not recaptured. Rather, heavily parasitized males appear to disperse or die and are not recaptured, which should have implications for dispersal of mites and fitness of male hosts.     

THE STRUCTURE OF INSECT VIRUS PARTICLES

Thin sections have been cut of the virus particles from four types of insect virus diseases: cytoplasmic polyhedroses of lepidopterous larvae, a nuclear polyhedrosis of Tipula paludosa (Diptera), a granulosis from Melanchra persicariae (Lepidoptera), and a new virus disease without polyhedra from T. paludosa. The cytoplasmic polyhedral viruses are thought to have composite particles in some cases. The shape and enveloping membranes of the different virus particles are compared. In the new virus disease of T. paludosa some of the virus particles appear to be empty; inclusion bodies surrounded by complicated membranes are also demonstrated.     

Monitoring Chigger Mites for Orientia tsutsugamushi in Field Small Mammals in Hwaseong-si,Gyeonggi-do,Korea, 2019-2020

Incidence of tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is steadily increasing. It is a mite-borne disease transmitted by chigger mites. In this study, the chigger mites were collected from field small mammals in Hwaseong-si (city), Gyeonggi-do (province), Korea, 2019 and 2020. The field small mammals captured were 56 Apodemus agrarius (94.9%) and 3 Crocidura lasiura (5.1%). A total of 7,531 chigger mites were collected from the captured small mammals. Using PCR test, 153 chigger mite pools were examined and 17 pools were reported positive for O. tsutsugamushi. The O. tsutsugamushi were identified to 5 strains; Jecheon strain was most prevalent, followed by Boryong strain. The other strains were OI011, Taguchi, and Shimokoshi. Collectively, these results provide essential regional information on mite-borne tsutsugamushi disease in the Hwaseong-si, and further contribute to bring awareness and rapid diagnosis for the tsutsugamushi disease.