Potential of a winterschmidtiid prey mite for the production of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Mass rearing of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) using natural (prey) methods is costly and laborious, limiting its application in the biological control of pests. A high-production, low-cost method using a prey substitute would help to relieve this problem. Oulenziella bakeri Hughes (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) could be an alternative prey source, but studies on the reproductive parameters of N. californicus under rearing conditions are lacking. This study evaluated the potential of O. bakeri as an alternative prey in N. californicus rearing by comparing developmental parameters among N. californicus reared on three diets based on an age-stage two-sex life table. We found that the preoviposition period and developmental time of N. californicus did not vary based on diet. The fecundity of N. californicus adults reared on O. bakeri was 29.8 eggs per female, which was lower than that of adults reared on Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) (42.9 eggs per female); there was no significant difference between O. bakeri and apple pollen (30.2 eggs per female). The oviposition rate of mites fed on O. bakeri was 69% of that fed on T. urticae. Neoseiulus californicus reared on O. bakeri and apple pollen showed the same intrinsic rate of increase (0.25 per day), which was 86% of the rate of those fed on T. urticae. Compared with predatory mites reared on natural prey, N. californicus reared on O. bakeri had a high survival rate and good oviposition and population growth parameters, suggesting that O. bakeri is suitable for the rearing of N. californicus.

Notch Signaling in Insect Development: A Simple Pathway with Diverse Functions

Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway which functions between adjacent cells to establish their distinct identities. Despite operating in a simple mechanism, Notch signaling plays remarkably diverse roles in development to regulate cell fate determination, organ growth and tissue patterning. While initially discovered and characterized in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster, recent studies across various insect species have revealed the broad involvement of Notch signaling in shaping insect tissues. This review focuses on providing a comprehensive picture regarding the roles of the Notch pathway in insect development. The roles of Notch in the formation and patterning of the insect embryo, wing, leg, ovary and several specific structures, as well as in physiological responses, are summarized. These results are discussed within the developmental context, aiming to deepen our understanding of the diversified functions of the Notch signaling pathway in different insect species.

Genomics, transcriptomics, and peptidomics of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella neuropeptides and their expression in response to lead stress

Neuropeptides are crucial in regulation of a rich variety of developmental, physiological, and behavioral functions throughout the life cycle of insects. Using an integrated approach of multiomics, we identified neuropeptide precursors in the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella, which is a harmful pest of honeybee hives with a worldwide distribution. Here, a total of 63 and 67 neuropeptide precursors were predicted and annotated in the G. mellonella genome and transcriptome, in which 40 neuropeptide precursors were confirmed in the G. mellonella peptidome. Interestingly, we identified 12 neuropeptide precursor genes present in G. mellonella but absent in honeybees, which may be potential novel pesticide target sites. Honeybee hives were contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, enabling its bioaccumulation in G. mellonella bodies through the food chain, we performed transcriptome sequencing to analyze the effects of Pb stress on the mRNA expression level of G. mellonella neuropeptide precursors. After treatment by Pb, the expression of neuropeptide F1 was found to be significantly downregulated, implying that this neuropeptide might be associated with responding to the heavy metal stress in G. mellonella. This study comprehensively identified neuropeptide precursors in G. mellonella, and discussed the effects of heavy metals on insect neuropeptides, with the example of G. mellonella. The results are valuable for future elucidation of how neuropeptides regulate physiological functions in G. mellonella and contribute to our understanding of the insect's environmental plasticity and identify potential new biomarkers to assess heavy metal toxicity in insects.

Revision of Neotrichobia Tuttle & Baker (Acari, Tetranychidae) with ontogenetic development and redescription of N. arizonensis

The genus Neotrichobia Tuttle & Baker is redescribed with a revised diagnosis. The type species Neotrichobia arizonensis Tuttle & Baker, 1968 is redescribed based on larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs and adults including the paratype male and deutonymph.

Redescription of three species of Aponychus from China with ontogenetic development and morphological variations of A. corpuzae (Acariformes: Tetranychidae)

Ontogenetic development of leg chaetotaxy, stylophore and striae of the dorsal integument, and variations of leg setal counts and length of idiosomal setae in Aponychus corpuzae are discussed. The following changes were observed during the ontogenetic development of A. corpuzae: the depth of the depression in stylophore increases; the dorsal striae gradually reduce in number and prominence; the length of dorsal setae sc1, c12, d12 and e1 reduce in size; adult dorsal setae much thicker than those of immature stages. There are a significant number of setae suppressed in A. corpuzae, often resulting in unique patterns and sexual dimorphism. The adult males and females of Aponychus firmianae and A. taishanicus from mainland China are redecribed, and a key to all Aponychus from mainland China is provided.

Role of the Hox Genes, Sex combs reduced, Fushi tarazu and Antennapedia, in Leg Development of the Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae

Mites, the second largest arthropod group, exhibit rich phenotypic diversity in the development of appendages (legs). For example, the fourth pair of legs (L4) does not form until the second postembryonic developmental stage, namely the protonymph stage. These leg developmental diversities drive body plan diversity in mites. However, little is known about the mechanisms of leg development in mites. Hox genes, homeotic genes, can regulate the development of appendages in arthropods. Three Hox genes, Sex combs reduced (Scr), Fushi tarazu (Ftz) and Antennapedia (Antp), have previously been shown to be expressed in the leg segments of mites. Here, the quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR shows that three Hox genes are significantly increased in the first molt stage. RNA interference results in a set of abnormalities, including L3 curl and L4 loss. These results suggest that these Hox genes are required for normal leg development. Furthermore, the loss of single Hox genes results in downregulating the expression of the appendage marker Distal-less (Dll), suggesting that the three Hox genes can work together with Dll to maintain leg development in Tetranychus urticae. This study will be essential to understanding the diversity of leg development in mites and changes in Hox gene function.

Four New Species of Larval Charletonia and Leptus (Acari: Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae), with a Checklist of the Two Genera and Their Hosts from China

Four new species, Charletonia rectangia Xu and Jin sp. nov., Leptus (Leptus) bomiensis Xu and Jin sp. nov., Leptus (Leptus) longisolenidionus Xu and Jin sp. nov., and Leptus (Leptus) striatus Xu and Jin sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on larvae. All four new species are from biodiversity hotspots, L. (L.) bomiensissp. nov. from the Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot, while the other three species from the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

The Effects of Alternative Foods on Life History and Cannibalism of Amblyseius herbicolus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The development, survivorship, fecundity, and cannibalism of the predatory phytoseiid mite, Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant), fed six different alternative foods (Oulenziella bakeri, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Aleuroglyphus ovatus, almond pollen (Prunus armeniaca), apple pollen (Malus pumila), maize pollen (Zea mays)), and natural prey (Tetranychus urticae) were determined in the laboratory. Our findings indicated that A. herbicolus that fed on all six alternative foods could normally complete its developmental and reproductive cycles. The shortest pre-adult developmental duration was observed when A. herbicolus fed on almond pollen (4.91 d) as well as T. urticae (4.90 d), and the longest when it fed on maize pollen (6.24 d). Pre-adult survival rates were higher when the predator fed on almond pollen (0.99), maize pollen (0.96), and O. bakeri (0.93). The highest fecundity was observed when A. herbicolus fed on apple pollen (28.55 eggs/female), almond pollen (26.06 eggs/female), and O. bakeri (26.02 eggs/female) in addition to T. urticae (48.95 eggs/female), and the lowest when it fed on maize pollen (7.84 eggs/female). The highest value of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) was obtained when A. herbicolus fed on O. bakeri (0.202 d^-1) in addition to T. urticae (0.210 d^-1), followed by almond pollen (0.163 d^-1), and the lowest was when it fed on maize pollen (0.064 d^-1). Cannibalism of conspecific eggs by adults of A. herbicolus did not occur when O. bakeri and T. urticae were provided. The cannibalism rate of the predatory mite was the lowest when fed on almond pollen, T. putrescentiae, and A. ovatus and the highest on apple pollen. Above all, when fed on O. bakeri and almond pollen, and with no or low cannibalism rate, A. herbicolus had the best development, survivorship, fecundity, and population parameters. Therefore, O. bakeri and almond pollen could be potential alternative foods for mass rearing programs of A. herbicolus or to support its population in the fields.

Two New Species and a New Combination of the Subfamily Erythraeinae Based on Larval Stage (Acari: Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae) from China

The species Eatoniana yangshuonicus (Haitlinger) comb. nov. is transferred from the genus Erythraeus to Eatoniana based on the basifemoral setal formula 2-2-1. Two new species, Eatoniana nanlingensis Xu and Jin sp. nov. and Erythraeus (Erythraeus) kunyuensis Xu and Jin sp. nov. are described and illustrated based on larvae. Eatoniana nanlingensis sp. nov. from the Oriental region (Guangdong Province), Er. (Er.) kunyuensis sp. nov. from the Palaearctic region (Shandong Province). An updated key to larval species of the genus Eatoniana of the world is presented.

[Impact of exposure to ambient fine particulate matter-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on blood thrombogenicity in adults]

Objective: To investigate the effects of exposure to ambient fine particulate matter-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on blood coagulation in adults. Methods: A total of 73 adult volunteers were recruited in a cohort study and had four clinical visits from November 2014 to January 2016. Blood samples were obtained and used to measure biomarkers of blood thrombogenicity, including soluble CD40 Ligand (sCD40L), soluble P-selection (sCD62P) and Fibrinogen (FIB). White blood cell (WBC), 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and HDL cholesterol efflux capacity (HDL-CEC) were also determined. Daily concentrations of ambient fine particulate matter-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured throughout the study period, and positive matrix factorization (PMF) approach was used to identity PAHs sources. Linear mixed-effect models including single-pollutant model, two-pollutant model and stratification analysis were constructed to estimate the effects of exposure to ambient fine particulate matter-bound PAHs on blood thrombogenicity in adults after adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The mean age of participants was (23.3±5.4) years. During the study period, the median level of PM_2.5-bound PAHs was (55.29±74.99) ng/m³. Six sources of PM_2.5-bound PAHs were identified by PMF, with traffic sources contributing more than 50%. The linear mixed-effect model showed that PAHs exposure had a significant effect on elevated blood thrombogenicity. Significant elevations in sCD40L, sCD62P and FIB associated with per IQR increase (60.33 ng/m³) in exposure to PAHs were 14.36% (95%CI:6.94%-22.28%), 9.33% (95%CI: 1.71%-17.51%) and 2.07% (95%CI:0.44%-2.07%) at prior 5 days, respectively. Blood thrombogenicity levels were significantly and positively correlated with source-specific PAHs, especially gasoline vehicle emissions, diesel vehicle emission and coal burning at prior 1 or 5 days. Stronger associations between PAHs and increased blood thrombogenicity were found in participants with high plaque vulnerability, reduced HDL function, and high levels of inflammation and oxidative stress. Conclusion: Acute exposure to ambient fine particulate matter-bound PAHs, especially PAHs from traffic sources may promote blood thrombogenicity in adults, and PAHs have stronger effects on participants with reduced vascular function and high levels of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Biology, ecology, and management of cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is a highly invasive and harmful pest. It causes considerable loss of cotton crops in China, India and Pakistan. Little is known about its bionomics since it was first recorded in Pakistan and India in 2005. Rapid spread of this pest worldwide has accelerated research on its biology, ecology and management. The P. solenopsis has a short life cycle, and optimal temperatures lead to an increase in the number of generations per year, which is a serious threat to cotton crop production. Cotton mealybug is native to the USA, although it has now spread to >43 countries. Insecticidal control is the primary and dominant practice for this pest, and its resistance to commonly used insecticides is increasing. Biocontrol agents have strong potential for the management of nymphal instar stages. We read >250 articles related to our review title and finally reviewed recent advances in the understanding of P. solenopsis biology, ecology and control approaches, aiming to highlight integrated and biological management practices of this pest. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

The first record of the water mite genus Ljania Thor, 1898 (Acari, Hydrachnidiae, Aturidae) from China, with description of two new species

This is the first record of the genus Ljania Thor, 1898 (Axonopsinae, Aturidae, Hydrachnidiae, Acari) from China. Two new species, Ljania jini sp. nov. and Ljania guangxiensis sp. nov., are described from Guangxi Province, P. R. China. The new detections bring the total number of Chinese aturid mites to eleven species, representing seven genera.

First description of immature stages and redescription of female Bdella longicornis (Acari: Prostigmata: Bdellidae), with an ontogeny of chaetotaxy

Bdella longicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) is a widespread species. There has been no description of its immature stages before. In this paper, we redescribe its female adult and describe its four immature stages for the first time based on the specimens from P. R. China. Meanwhile, the ontogeny of chaetotaxy in B. longicornis is discussed.

Morphological changes in Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

This paper deals with the detailed morphological observation of larva, protonymph and deutonymph, as well as female and male adults of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) based on laboratory reared specimens. The main changes are as follows: larva with one dorsal shield, while protonymph with two, which fused into a holodorsal shield in deutonymph; 9 pairs of dorsal setae in larvae, 14 pairs in protonymph, and 19 pairs in deutonymph and adult; the immature stages without discernible ventrianal shield, though hypoplastic shield, a weakly sclerotized small plate around the anal pore, present in the protonymph and deutonymph. larva and protonymph each with seven pairs of ventral setae, while deutonymph and adult each with 12 pairs; movable digit with one or two teeth in larva, three teeth in protonymph, deutonymph or adult. The development of morphological traits in ontogenesis of N. californicus could provide helpful basis to identify it practically from its relatives.

Ontogenetic and morphological studies on Tetranychus canadensis (Acari: <br />Tetranychidae)

Tetranychus canadensis (McGregor) is redescribed based on type specimens and American non-type specimens. The ontogenetic development of leg chaetotaxy is provided, which is the typical additional pattern for Tetranychus. The variation of pregenital striae and shape of aedeagi are discussed.  Low temperature scanning electron microscopic photos show the supracoxal setae on palpfemur (ep) and leg coxae I (el) are eupathidia; lateral and ventral lips bear modified leaf-like adoral setae (or2 and or3) and the dorsal lips bearing a pair of spine-like dorsal adoral setae (or1); dorsal seta on tibia I (db) is a trichobothrium with a cup-shaped base and broken striae on the inner integument. Confocal scanning shows a thin, long ejaculatory duct and a thicker duct connecting the aedeagus to a cup-shaped seminal vesicle; the aedeagus is hollow where the ejaculatory duct passes through.

Two new species of the genus Onchodellus (Acari: Pachylaelapidae) from China

This paper describes two new species of the family Pachylaelapidae, Onchodellus menglaensis sp. nov. and O. quattuorspinous sp. nov., from the earth-boring dung beetles, Enoplotrupes sinensis Hope (Scarabaeoidea: Geotrupidae), collected from Mengla County, Yunnan Province, China. An identification key to the Chinese species of the genus Onchodellus (females) is provided.

The genus Erythraeus (Acari: Erythraeidae) from China with descriptions of two new species and a key to larval species of the genus worldwide

Two new mite species, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) hubeiensis sp. nov. and E. (Zaracarus) hainanensis sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on larvae parasitizing insects (Hemiptera) in Hubei and Hainan Provinces, China. An updated key to larval species of the genus Erythraeus of the world is presented.

Revision of Bryobiella Tuttle Baker (Acari, Tetranychidae), with ontogenetic development and redescription of B. desertorum

The genus Bryobiella Tuttle Baker is redescribed with a revised diagnosis. The type species B. desertorum is redescribed based on larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs and adults including the paratype male. Morphological differences from different host plants are noted, as are some intraspecific variations not associated with host plants. The ontogenetic development of leg setae shows some departures from the typical patterns known in the Tetranychoidea, such as males adding solenidia to the femur and genu of leg I and femur, genu and tibia of leg II. A key to species of Bryobiella based on females is given.

[Prognostic value of myeloperoxidase concentration in patients with acute coronary syndrome]

Objective: To evaluate the difference of plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) level in different types of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, and the value of baseline MPO level in predicting short-term and long-term outcomes in patients with ACS. Methods: The study cohort was derived from "the 12th Five-Year" National Science and Technology Support Program Project "Study on Comprehensive Intervention and Prognosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome" . We enrolled all hospitalized ACS patients who were enrolled in "the 12th Five-Year" cohort from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013. A total of 630 patients from 20 centers were enrolled. According to the diagnosis, the patients were divided into two groups: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) group and non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) group. Plasma levels of MPO were measured by ELISA method. Cardiovascular events in the hospital were recorded. All patients were followed-up by telephone, follow-up ended December 31, 2015. The occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, defined as cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, unscheduled coronary revascularization procedure and stroke) and all-cause death were recorded. Logistic regression analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate the predictive value of baseline MPO levels obtained during hospitalization and the long-term outcomes of ACS patients. Results: A total of 597 ACS patients were enrolled in final analysis. Level of plasma MPO in STEMI patients was significantly higher than that of NSTE-ACS patients (34.02(19.31, 67.87) μg/L vs. 27.25(16.69, 52.92) μg/L, P=0.028) . MPO was not related to the in-hospital cardiovascular events (OR=0.797, 95%CI 0.366-1.737, P=0.569). Follow up was completed in 476 patients, median follow-up time was 796 (32, 1 816) days. There were 23 all-cause deaths and 51 MACE. Plasma MPO level was not an independent predictor for all-cause death (HR=1.434, 95%CI 0.502-4.100, P=0.501) and MACE (HR=1.271, 95%CI 0.662-2.442, P=0.471). Conclusion: In hospitalized ACS patients, level of plasma MPO was significantly higher in STEMI patients than in NSTE-ACS patients, but MPO could not predict the short-term or long-term outcomes in patients with ACS.

Hotspots of new species discovery: new mite species described during 2007 to 2012

The type localities of new mite species described in two journals (Systematic & Applied Acarology and Zootaxa) during the last six years (2007–2012) were surveyed to detect hotspots of new mite species discovery. Among the 642 papers examined, 71% of them contain new species, with 148 new species in 2007, 207 in 2008, 234 in 2009, 208 in 2010, 333 in 2011 and 249 in 2012. Systematic & Applied Acarology published about 3% of the total new species indexed by Zoological Record during 2007–2012, whereas Zootaxa published about 35% of the total. The 1379 new species are distributed unevenly among 150 mite families; the top 15 families accounted for 55% of all the species, and 86 of the 150 families have 1–3 species each. The top family is the Eriophyidae, which alone accounted for nearly 15% of the total new species. Geographically, the new species were described from 92 countries and their distribution among these countries is highly uneven. The top 10 countries accounted for 62% of all the new species and the top country, China, alone accounted for 18% of the total. The average number of new species per country is 15 and no more than a fifth of the countries are above the average, and 40% of the countries have only 1–3 new species each. The top country for each continent is China (248 species) for Asia, Australia (166 species) for Oceania, Brazil (76 species) for South America, Kenya (51 species) for Africa, USA (51 species) for North America and Russia (42 species) for Europe. Increased efforts in discovering and describing new species are much needed for biodiversity-rich countries in South America, Southeast Asia and Africa.