A new species of phytoseiid mites, Neoseiulus neoagrestis sp. nov., was described based on all ontogenetic stages and extensive comparison with types/vouchers of closely related species and a thorough analysis of GenBank data. Mite specimens were collected in an area at the eastern coast of the Black Sea of Russia and cultured. Molecular barcoding revealed a close match (100–99.25%) with several unidentified COX1 sequences from Canada. Both Canadian and Russian mites reproduced sexually and had consistent morphology, including the presence of gd2 gland pores, indicating that they belong to a single species, N. neoagrestis sp. nov. The presence of gd2 gland pores distinguishes N. neoagrestis sp. nov. from a closely related, parthenogenetic species N. agrestis (Karg), which lacks gd2 gland pores. Despite having an arguably negligible morphological difference, these two species were clearly distinct by COX1 sequences (19.95–22.01% K2P distances). We studied the ontogeny of N. neoagrestis sp. nov. and provided comparison with related Neoseiulus species. Furthermore, our examination of types of N. agrestis, N. salish, and N. striatus indicated that the latter two species are potential junior synonyms of N. agrestis.
The predatory mite, Neoseiulus neoagrestis Khaustov and Döker (Acari: Phytoseiidae), recently described as new species for science, but seems to have a great potential to be used in biological control. In this study, as a first step to determine the optimum temperature (between three temperatures tested) for its mass rearing, we studied its biological characteristics and life table parameters fed on Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) at three different temperatures (20, 25, and 30 °C) under laboratory conditions. Results show that immature development, oviposition period as well as reproductive potential of this predator are significantly vary depending on the temperature. The immature developmental times and adult longevity for females, are ranged between 5.42 to 10.42 days and 39.88 to 74.12 days, based on the temperature, respectively. Average total number of eggs laid by per female at 25 °C (62.29) and 30 °C (58.65) are more or less similar but higher than that determined at 20 °C (41.46). The highest net reproductive rate (R<sub>0</sub>) is 29.066 (offspring/individual) at 25 °C. In addition, the highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) is 0.241 day<sup>-1</sup> at 30 °C. Furthermore, the highest finite rate of increase (λ = 1.272 day<sup>-1</sup>), and the shortest mean generation time (T = 13.416 days) and doubling time (DT = 2.874 days) are also determined at 30 °C. Our results demonstrate that N. neoagrestis successfully completed immature development, and can survive and reproduce at all tested temperatures. Nevertheless, a series of biological characteristics of this predator are differentially affected by the temperature. Finally, 25 °C and 30 °C seems to be more suitable for mass rearing of this predator on T . putrescentiae. Further studies should be conducted to determine biological characteristics and life table parameters of N. neoagrestis on several important pests such as spider mites, whiteflies and thrips.
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