Genetic analysis of the tomato russet mite provides evidence of oligophagy and a widespread pestiferous haplotype.

Worldwide, the tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici (Eriophyidae), is a key pest on cultivated tomato in addition to infesting other cultivated and wild Solanaceae; however, basic information on TRM supporting effective control strategies is still lacking, mainly regarding its taxonomic status and genetic diversity and structure. As A. lycopersici is reported on different species and genera of host plants, populations associated with different host plants may constitute specialized cryptic species, as shown for other eriophyids previously considered generalists.

Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata) from Brazil: an annotated checklist.

The superfamily Eriophyoidea constitute a group of phytophagous mites of particular economic and evolutionary interest due to their intimate association with host plants and their agricultural importance as harmful or beneficial organisms. Studies on the Eriophyoidea fauna in Brazil started in the early 1900s with botanical works on cecidias and were continued with researchers looking for and reporting on eriophyid mites causing damage to agricultural crops. Therefore, in this annotated checklist, we compile information from just over a century on eriophyid mites reported or described from Brazil.

Integrative taxonomy of Abacarus mites (Eriophyidae) associated with hybrid sugarcane plants, including description of a new species.

Phytophagous mites belonging to the Eriophyoidea are extremely diverse and highly host-specific. Their accurate morphological identification is hampered by their reduced size and simplified bodies and by the existence of cryptic species complexes. Previous studies have demonstrated the urgency of applying multisource methods to accurate taxonomic identification of eriophyoid mites, especially species belonging to the genus Abacarus.

Mites associated with sugarcane crop and with native trees from adjacent Atlantic forest fragment in Brazil.

In some Brazilian regions the Atlantic forest biome is currently restrict to fragments occurring amid monocultures, as sugarcane crops in the Northeast region. Important influence of forest remnants over mite fauna of permanent crops have been showed, however it has been poorly explored on annual crops. The first step for understanding ecological relationship in an agricultural systems is known its composition.