Developmental characteristics of the predatory bug Orius similis fed on Tetranychus cinnabarinus were investigated at three constant temperatures (25, 28, and 31°C) under laboratory conditions (75±5% relative humidity and a 14L : 10D photoperiod). The survival of nymphs was highest at 28°C (75.57%) and at this temperature female adults O. similis had the longest oviposition period (21.1 d), the greatest fecundity (40.3 eggs) and the highest potential intrinsic rate of increase (rm: 0.108 d–1). These results suggest that O. similis can maintain greater population densities at 28°C than at the other temperatures tested. In addition, the functional response indicates that the attack rate of O. similis (1.04) and the maximum prey capacity (30.7 spider mites per bug in 24h) are greatest at 28°C. The results of this study provide useful information on the biology and time when to release O. similis in order to reduce the abundance of T. cinnabarinus in cotton fields., Shi-Chang Zhang ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje seznam literatury
The physiological parameters mortality, mass, oxygen consumption and amylase activity, and microanatomical features of the digestive tract, mesenchym and reproductive organs were used to characterise starvation in Galumna elimata. The mites were reared in sterilised plastic vials containing moistened zeolite at 25°C and a 12:12 photoperiod. The control group was kept under the same conditions, but pieces of bark covered with the green bark alga, Desmococcus vulgaris (syn. Protococcus viridis), were added as food for the mites. The physiological parameters were recorded after 21 days, and the microanatomical after 21 and 42 days. The guts of the starved mites were empty or filled with mucoid substances, while the guts of control mites contained food boli formed from algal cells. The mortality was significantly higher in starved animals. The mortality after 42 days of starvation was higher in males than females. The fresh mass of starved individuals significantly decreased while the water proportion content of their body tissues increased. Oxygen consumption of the starved mites was lower. Starvation did not influence the activity of amylase. Glycogeneous granulae were characteristically absent, and mucoid substances present in the guts of mites starved for 21 days. The activity of mesenteral and caecal cells, proventricular glands and cells of salivary glands was reduced after 42 days of starvation. The cells of the seminal vesicles were reduced and contained no spermatic cells in males starved for 42 days. Starved females probably resorbed immature oocytes, but had eggs in their oviducts. Starvation induces ovovivipary or larvipary in Galumna elimata.
The genus Liuella Wang et Bai, 1992 is transferred from Trombiculidae to Apoloniinae and a new species Liuella monosetosa sp. n. described from specimens taken in Morocco from the hosts Gerbillus sp. and Meriones libycus Lichtenstein. A new species of Straelensia Vercammen-Grandjean et Kolebinova, 1968, Straelensia variocula sp. n. is described from specimens taken in Morocco and Burkina Faso from the hosts Genetta thierryi Matschie, Gerbillus sp., M. libycus and Elephantulus rozeti (Duvernoy). A list of species, hosts and localities and a key to the species of the Apoloniinae of the world are presented.
Two new species of the syringophilid mites (Acari: Syringophilidae) are described from quills of passeriform birds. Syringophilopsis faini sp. n. is described from Sylvia curruca (L.) (Sylviidae) and Syringophiloidus carpodaci sp. n. is described from Carpodacus erythrinus (Pall.) (Fringillidae). Characters are detailed that differentiate Syringophilopsis faini from three species of a new "turdus" group, and Syringophiloidus carpodaci from S. minor.