Culturing chelifers (Pseudoscorpions) that consume Varroa mites

Chelifers (Pseudoscorpions) are generalist predators of small prey such as mites. Their occasional presence in honeybee hives suggests potential to exploit them as part of a management programme against Varroa mites (Varroa destructor), a significant pest of honeybees. Two species of native New Zealand chelifers Nesochernes gracilis and Heterochernes novaezealandiae, shown to consume Varroa mites, were collected from commercial nucleus hives or in litter surrounding the hives. Methods for mass‐rearing the chelifers were developed to provide specimens for research and introduction into beehives for biological control of Varroa. Cultures were fed aphids and fruit fly larvae in vented containers containing sand and bark. N. gracilis was maintained at 14°C, 18°C, and 22°C. At 18°C, 1423 nymphs were reared from 140 N. gracilis adults, with 84.8% of all nymphs produced at this temperature. H. novaezealandiae was maintained at 18°C and 22°C, with 5 nymphs raised from 12 adults at 18°C and none at the higher temperature.     

The Comparison of the Properties of Two Lipases from Penicillium cyclopium Westring

Penicillium cyclopium Westring produced two kinds of lipases (EC 3.1.1.3) (A and B). At the begining of the cultivation, activity of B-lipase was detected more than that of A-lipase, though only A-lipase was accumulated at the last stage. The pH stability of B-lipase suggested that the eventual decrease of B-lipase activity was brought about by undesirable pH of culture fluid.

Two lipases were isolated respectively in homogeneous states and characterized. The pI’s of A- and B- lipases were 4.96 and 4.15 and their molecular weights were 27000 and 36000, respectively. In addition, the substrate specificities of two lipases were significantly different from each other.     

The evolution and distribution of Calyptozetes sarekensis (Acari: Oribatei)

Calyptozetes sarekensis , an oribatid mite found predominantly, though not exclusively in lichens, inhabits regions within the arctic circle and subarctically between latitudes 60^o and 70^o (Swedish Lapland, Norway, Bear Island, Spitzbergen, Jan Mayen, Iceland, Greenland, northern Canada). In recent years, however, the species has been recorded from a number of montane sites in Great Britain and southern Europe. There would appear to be only two possible explanations for die discontinuous distribution of this mite. (1) The species has been transported from its main arctic and subarctic area of distribution to its southern montane outposts by some agent (driftwood, birds, wind), or (2) in Britain and southern Europe it represents a relict species of the Ice Age, left stranded on high ground after the final retreat of the ice. Evidence is presented in support of the second hypothesis. In addition, it is suggested that its presence on the different land masses of its main arctic and subarctic range, which are separated from each other by wide stretches of ocean, could be explained by die hypothesis that it is a very ancient species daring from the time Laurasia was in existence some 60 or more million years ago. The alternative hypothesis of transportation of the species between one or more of these areas, however, is by no means ruled out.     

Does Bdellodes lapidaria (Acari: Bdellidae) have a role in biological control of the springtail pest, Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae) in south-eastern Australia?

Throughout southern Australia, the lucerne flea, Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae), is an important pest of a variety of winter grain crops and pastures. The predatory mite, Bdellodes lapidaria (Acari: Bdellidae), co-occurs with S. viridis and is reported to be a biological control agent of this pest. Using laboratory bioassays and field experiments, we assessed the susceptibility of B. lapidaria to several pesticides and investigated its impact in controlling S. viridis. In the laboratory, B. lapidaria was found to be susceptible to the synthetic pyrethroids, α-cypermethrin and bifenthrin, but relatively tolerant to the avermectin, abamectin, and organophosphorous chemicals, omethoate and chlorpyrifos. In field experiments, B. lapidaria was not adversely affected by applications of either bifenthrin or omethoate. Despite strong intraspecific interactions, we found no detectable impact of B. lapidaria on S. viridis numbers in the field. These results indicate that B. lapidaria has a relatively high tolerance to several pesticides, perhaps partly through behavioural avoidance, but little impact as a biological control agent on S. viridis in south-eastern Australia.     

Dispersal of the broad mite,Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Heterostigmata: Tarsonemidae), by the greenhouse whitefly,Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) was found to disperse the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Heterostigmata: Tarsonemidae). Mite presence on whiteflies was highly aggregated. This is the second whitefly species reported to disperse the broad mite, suggesting some recognition of the insects by P. latus.     

Phoretic relationship between the myceliophagous mite Microdispus lambi (Acari: Microdispidae) and mushroom flies in Spanish crops

We studied the role played by the phorid Megaselia halterata (Wood) and the sciarid Lycoriella auripila (Winnertz) in the phoretic dispersion of the myceliophagous mite Microdispus lambi (Acari: Pygmephoridae). Twenty‐four crops were monitored during 18 months in commercial mushroom farms in Castilla‐La Mancha (Spain). Adults of both species were collected weekly and the mites they carried were counted and identified. Both phorids (19.6%) and sciarids (4.4%) carried the mite M. lambi. The calculated load of each was 3.4 M. lambi mites per phorid and 1.9 per sciarid. The same percentage of male and female phorid was used as vector, but the load was slightly higher for females (1.86 mites per female compared with1.48 mites per male). A mean of 7.2% of the phorids examined in winter were vectors of M. lambi, while in spring and autumn of the first year the average was more than 22%. The mean load did not vary significantly between seasons. Inside the mushroom farms, less than 10% of a small initial population of phorids carried mites (less than two mites per phorid). As the cycle progressed, more than 35% of a larger population of emerging flies did so (average 3.5 mites per phorid vector). At the end of the growth cycle, the flies may fly off to colonise nearby farms, favouring the propagation of M. lambi from infested to uninfested crops. Megaselia halterata is the principal vector of M. lambi in the mushroom farms of Castilla‐La Mancha due to their high numbers, the high percentage carrying mites and the number of M. lambi they carry.     

Antimicrobial and anti-dust mite efficacy of Cinnamomum camphora chvar. Borneol essential oil using pilot-plant neutral cellulase-assisted steam distillation

Cinnamomum camphora chvar. Borneol essential oil (BEO) was efficiently extracted by using pilot-plant neutral cellulase-assisted steam distillation (NCSD). Borneol, β-cadinene and α-caryophyllene were identified as major components. Bacillus subtilis was the most sensitive bacteria to BEO with the lowest minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericial concentration (MBC) at 1·75 and 3·50 mg ml⁻¹, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of the BEO was also reasonably high against Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, but not sensitive against two fungi, i.e. Aspergillus niger and Penicillium aurantiogriseum. Changes in permeability and integrity of cell membrane, damage of cell wall and further leakage out of metabolites and ions were determined as bactericidal mechanisms of BEO against the two gram-positive bacteria. The BEO showed a reasonably high repelling activity of dust mite, which achieved higher than 95% repelling dust mite activity after the treatment of BEO solution at 0·50 mg ml⁻¹. When the concentration of BEO was higher than 0·50 mg ml⁻¹, it was B-grade miticide with miticidal activity higher than 95%. Miticidal procedures were characterized as excitation, contraction, relaxation and lastly leading to the death of dust mite. It is speculated that the BEO would cause dehydration and death of dust mite as neuromuscular toxicity.     

Microorganisms associated with the spider mite predator Metaseiulus (= Typhlodromus) occidentalis: Electron microscope observations

Two morphologically distinct forms of microorganisms were observed with the electron microscope in the tissues of the phytoseiid mite Metaseiulus (= Typhlodromus) occidentalis. The forms were distinguished on the basis of cell wall structure and cytoplasmic inclusions. One microorganism, designated type A, was observed in all mites examined. The second microorganism, type B, was observed in approximately two-thirds of the mites examined. If present, type B microorganisms occurred in all ovaries and egges, suggesting that transovarial transmission may take place. In some mites large numbers of type B microorganisms were observed within Malpighian tubule lumens and in a rectal plug. Whether this population was primarily or secondarily associated with a pathology is discussed.     

番茄叶片理化性质差异与抗番茄刺皮瘿螨性

对3个不同类型番茄品系理化性状与番茄刺皮瘿螨Aculops lycopersici(Massee)的关系进行研究。结果表明,番茄刺皮瘿螨在多茸毛性状品系YZ618上种群数量最低,显著低于少茸毛性状品系YZ504和常规品系YZ413。螨在3品系植株分布不同,抗螨品系YZ618上部螨量几乎灭绝,感螨品系YZ504上部螨量显著多于中下部,常规品系YZ413上中部螨量多于下部。3品系叶组织内多酚氧化酶(polyphenol oxidase,PPO),过氧化物酶(peroxidase,POD),抗坏血酸过氧化酶(ascorbate peroxidase,ASP)的活性受该螨为害后均提高,但抗螨品系YZ618反应更灵敏。相关分析表明,PPO是螨害诱导产生的抗螨生化因子,ASP是植物本身具有的抗螨生化因子,POD与抗螨性的关系不大。