Influence of soil applied nitrogen (NPKS 25: 5: 5:5) on Brevipalpus phoenicis Geijskes (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) mite incidence and damage symptoms on tea

Application of nitrogenous fertilisers (NPKS 25: 5: 5:5) for yield of tea and to induce tolerance to the red crevice ( Brevipalpus phoenicis Geijskes) mite was found to be rates between 150 and 200 Kg N ha^-1 yr^-1 rates above 400 Kg N ha^-1 encouraged the build up of mites on tea. Damage symptoms resulting from mite infestation declined with increase in application of nitrogenous fertilisers.
The levels of nitrogen in the leaf tissues increased with soil applied nitrogen and also was related to the mite numbers found on the leaves suggesting a link. The symptoms of the discoloured necrotic leaf base that accompanied mite infestation was significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) and linearly correlated (r = 0.60) to mite numbers in the control plot. The levels of applied nitrogen were negatively correlated to % leaf necrosis suggesting a tolerance leading to reduction in necrotic symptoms with fertiliser applications.     

紫背金盘(Ajuga nipponensis)次生物质对桔全爪螨(Panonychus citri)的驱避作用

研究了紫背金盘Ajuga nipponensis Makino各溶剂提取物和部分化合物对桔全爪螨Panonychus citri McGregor雌成螨及其产卵的驱避作用.结果表明,石油醚萃取物、乙酸乙酯萃取物具有较强的生物活性.在0.1 g · L-1时, 石油醚和乙酸乙酯萃取物对该螨处理1d后的产卵忌避率分别为:84.86%、69.88%;2d后为89.49%、82.19%;对雌成螨驱避率分别为:85.08%、68.66%;2d后为50.96%、69.84%.乙酸乙酯萃取物经分离得到四类化合物,结果表明:馏分Ⅰ为长链脂肪酸混合物,具有较强生物活性,2000μg/ml和1000μg/ml处理1d后,产卵忌避率分别为:80.77%、74.77%;2d后为73.81%、72.59%.2000μg/ml处理1d后对雌成螨的驱避率为:69.88%;2d后为74.24%.刺槐素Ⅱ、新克罗烷化合物Ⅲ和β-蜕皮甾酮Ⅳ在2000μg/ml均不表现活性.对馏分Ⅰ中的4个主要化合物单体进行活性测定,结果表明:十六烷酸、十六烷酸甲酯、十六烷酸乙酯和十八烷酸甲酯在2000μg/ml处理时,1d后,产卵驱避率分别为:75.18%、61.76%、59.18%和66.49%;2d后产卵驱避率为:66.67%、31.15%、46.75%和44.84%;雌成螨驱避率分别为:1d后,67.53%、63.79%、59.26%和68.00;2d后,67.23%、43.96%、48.23%和64.19%.在1000μg/ml处理时,1d 后,产卵驱避率分别为:59.21%、59.16%、57.02%和61.40%;1d后,雌成螨驱避率分别为:69.64%、61.43%、55.76%和64.00%.     

Multiple host shifts by the emerging honeybee parasite,Varroa jacobsoni

Host shifts are a key mechanism of parasite evolution and responsible for the emergence of many economically important pathogens. Varroa destructor has been a major factor in global honeybee (Apis mellifera) declines since shifting hosts from the Asian honeybee (Apis cerana) > 50 years ago. Until recently, only two haplotypes of V. destructor (Korea and Japan) had successfully host shifted to A. mellifera. In 2008, the sister species V. jacobsoni was found for the first time parasitizing A. mellifera in Papua New Guinea (PNG). This recent host shift presents a serious threat to world apiculture but also provides the opportunity to examine host shifting in this system. We used 12 microsatellites to compare genetic variation of V. jacobsoni on A. mellifera in PNG with mites on A. cerana in both PNG and surrounding regions. We identified two distinct lineages of V. jacobsoni reproducing on A. mellifera in PNG. Our analysis indicated independent host shift events have occurred through small numbers of mites shifting from local A. cerana populations. Additional lineages were found in the neighbouring Papua and Solomon Islands that had partially host shifted to A. mellifera, that is producing immature offspring on drone brood only. These mites were likely in transition to full colonization of A. mellifera. Significant population structure between mites on the different hosts suggested host shifted V. jacobsoni populations may not still reproduce on A. cerana, although limited gene flow may exist. Our studies provide further insight into parasite host shift evolution and help characterize this new Varroa mite threat to A. mellifera worldwide.     

尘螨变应原Der f 1核酸序列测定及其分子进化分析

目的：对尘螨主要变应原Der f 1进行核酸序列测定,探讨其系统进化信息。方法：根据Genbank公布的Der f 1基因序列设计引物,巢式PCR扩增Der f 1的cDNA,纯化、回收、克隆至pMD19-T simple后进行序列测定,序列比对后用Clustal W1.83构建分子进化树。结果：成功扩增出Der f 1的cDNA片段,测序表明该基因含ORF1个,长度966bp,与参考序列同源性达99．9％。该变应原具半胱氨酸蛋白酶活性,与果蝇进化关系最远,与梅氏嗜霉螨进化关系最近。结论：成功获得了尘螨变应原Der f 1基因片段．根据其编码的氨基酸序列构建出的系统进化树与形态学分类不一致。     

Effect of coupled reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer on soil mite community composition in a wheat field

Groundwater and nitrogen fertilizer overuse severely threatens crop productions; thus, current ecological agriculture requires low irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer inputs. The effects of combined reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer addition on soil organism (e.g., mite) community and biodiversity remain poorly understood. We analyzed soil mite community composition, wheat grain yield, and soil characteristics in a 10‐year manipulation experiment with two levels of irrigation (reduced and conventional irrigation) and five nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 70, 140, 210, and 280 kg N/ha). Reduced irrigation (20% reduction, from 280 to 220 mm) and nitrogen fertilizer (25% reduction, from 280 to 210 kg N/ha) addition did not significantly influence soil mite community and wheat yield. The relative abundances of fungivores and predators showed negative quadratic relationships with wheat yield, while that of plant parasites showed a positive relationship. The relationships between soil mite trophic groups and wheat yield revealed that we can evaluate the impacts of reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer addition from the perspective of soil fauna. Soil mite community composition was altered by soil abiotic factors prior to reduced irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer addition. Overall, moderate reductions of irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer may not threaten to soil mite community and diversity or decrease crop production; in contrast, such reductions will benefit mite community development and the sustainable agriculture.     

Crystallization and Preliminary X-Ray Diffraction Analysis of Group 5 Mite Allergen fromDermatophagoides pteronyssinus

Crystals of the 14-kDa group 5 allergen fromDermatophagoides pteronyssinus(Der p 5) have been obtained at low pH and diffract to 3-Å resolution using a conventional x-ray source. The crystals belong to tetragonal space group P4₁2₁2 or P4₃2₁2, with unit cell parametersa=b= 114 Å andc= 234 Å. A self-rotation search revealed a 432 point symmetry and thus suggested 96 molecules in one unit cell, hence 12 monomers in each asymmetric unit.     

Predation and reproductive output of the ladybird beetle <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stethorus tridens</Emphasis> preying on tomato red spider mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus evansi</Emphasis>

Predatory behaviour and reproductive output of the ladybird beetle Stethorus tridens Gordon as function of the tomato red spider mite (TRSM), Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard, densities was investigated in the laboratory. Adult female of S. tridens were isolated in cylindrical plastic arenas, containing a leaf disc of Solanum americanum Mill. with 5, 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 T. evansi nymphs. The number of prey consumed and eggs laid were evaluated daily for ten consecutive days, starting at the oviposition. Oviposition of S. tridens was positively correlated with prey consumption and lower threshold prey consumption for S. tridens laying eggs was 16.3 mites per day. The instantaneous rate of attack (ca. discovery area) and the handling time were 0.0062 h⁻¹ and 0.83 h, and 0.00254 h⁻¹ and 0.78 h, respectively, for predators at the 1st- and 10th-oviposition day. The predator exhibited a type II functional response at 1st- and 10th-oviposition day with a maximum consumption per predator of 33 T. evansi nymphs per day at the highest prey density. The ladybird beetle S. tridens is often collected associated with red spider mite colonies on solanaceous wild plants and the results suggest the potential of this ladybird beetle to control T. evansi in tomatoes crops. Handling editor: Eric Lucas.     

Biology, ecology and control of the Penthaleus species complex (Acari: Penthaleidae)

Blue oat mites, Penthaleus spp. (Acari: Penthaleidae), are major agricultural pests in southern Australia and other parts of the world, attacking various pasture, vegetable and crop plants. Management of these mites has been complicated by the recent discovery of three cryptic pest species of Penthaleus, whereas prior research had assumed a single species. The taxonomy, population genetics, ecology, biology and control of the Penthaleus spp. complex are reviewed. Adult Penthaleus have a dark blue-black body approximately 1 mm in length, and eight red-orange legs. Within Australia, they are winter pests completing two or three generations a season, depending on conditions. The summer is passed as diapausing eggs, when long-distance dispersal is thought to occur. The Penthaleus spp. reproduce by thelytokous parthenogenesis, with populations comprising clones that differ ecologically. The three pest Penthaleus spp. differ markedly in their distributions, plant hosts, timing of diapause egg production and response to pesticides, highlighting the need to develop control strategies that consider each species separately. Chemicals are the main weapons used in current control programs, however research continues into alternative more sustainable management options. Host plant resistance, crop rotations, conservation of natural enemies, and improved timing of pesticide application would improve the management of these pests. The most cost-effective and environmentally acceptable means of control will result from the integration of these practices combined with the development of a simple field-based kit to distinguish the different mite species.     

Effects of temperature and food level on growth and development of a planktonic water mite

We analysed the relative effects of food availability and temperature on rates of growth and development of a predatory planktonic water mite, Piona exigua. Growth in length of mites fed Daphnia, Ceriodaphnia and Chydorus was analysed by Gompertz or von Bertalanffy curves; these curves were compared by parallel curve analysis. Growth rates of nymphs and adult female mites increased with temperature; the duration of the imagochrysalis stage decreased. Females grown at 10 °C were smaller at final size than females grown at 15 °C, 18 °C or 22 °C. Females reared at food levels of 15 or 30 prey l⁻¹ grew more slowly and were smaller than those provided with 60 or 120 prey l⁻¹. Nymphs grew more slowly when Daphnia were the only prey, than when smaller prey were available. Food level did not affect nymph growth at 10 °C or 15 °C, but growth at 18 °C or 22 °C may have been slowed at the lowest food levels. Synergistic effects of temperature and food level on nymph growth were apparent only from analysis of growth curves and not from stage duration data.