Location: Systematic Entomology Laboratory
2019 Annual Report
Accomplishments
1. Understanding the role of mites and viruses. Systematic studies of plant feeding mites in the families Varroidae, Macronyssidae, Trombiculidae, Tarsonemidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tetranychidae and Eriophyiidae have been accomplished. Continuous studies on species in the families Tenuipalpidae and Eriophyidae associated with viruses are helping to understand the genus-virus associations and impact on several fruit trees and ornamentals. ARS Researchers at Beltsville, Maryland, in collaboration with researchers from the USA (Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), University of Maryland, Ohio State University, University of Arkansas, State Departments of Agriculture of California and Florida), Brazil, and Mexico, are working in the identification of economic invasive pest. Extensive observations and measurements of mites collected worldwide were studied using differential contrast light microscopy, confocal microscopy, table top SEM and low temperature scanning electron microscopy, which allowed the researchers to define characteristic structures and patterns for the correct identification of the mites. This information has been disseminated by several publications and an on-line web pages which has over thousands visits/year from more than 180 countries. This research will be used by scientists, agriculture extensionists and border inspection agents to safeguard our country from invasive, destructive arthropods and diseases.
2. A reassessment of varroa mite feeding. Systematic studies of plant feeding mites belonging to several families, Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Eriophyidae, and Tarsonemidae have been accomplished. Systematic studies of mites affecting animals and insects importance in Agriculture have been accomplished. Studies of mites, affecting bees have been key to a major break in the understanding of morphology and feeding behavior. We collaborated with the University of Maryland, Department of Entomology, on a major publication of varroa mite feeding behavior. Varroa mites contrary to what the literature indicates feed on adult bees as well the larva, furthermore varroa mites are feeding on the fat rather than hemolymph. The understanding of varroa feeding on fat tissues will help future studies on management and control of this pest. The use of several techniques, including Low Temperature Scanning Electron Microscopy and confocal microscopy were key in the publication of this article.
Review Publications
Castro, E.B., Ochoa, R., Feres, R. 2018. A new species of Terminalichus (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) from Thailand, with a key to the known species. Systematic and Applied Acarology. 22(9):1431-1443.
Ramsey, S., Ochoa, R., Bauchan, G.R., Gulbronson, C., Mowery, J., Cohen, A., Lim, D., Joklik, J., Cierco, J., Ellis, J., Hathorne, D.J., Vanengelsdorp, D. 2019. Varroa destructor (Varroidae) feed on honey bee fat body tissue not hemolymph. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 116(5):1792-1801.
Beard, J.J., Ochoa, R., Bauchan, G.R., Dowling, A.G. 2018. Raoiella (Trombidiformes: Tenuipalpidae) of the world. Zootaxa. 4501(1):1-302.
Bassini-Silva, R., Jacinavicius, F.C., Maturano, R., Munoz-Leal, S., Ochoa, R., Bauchan, G.R., Labruna, M., Barros-Battesti, D.M. 2018. Blankaartia sinnamaryi (Floch & Fauran, 1956) (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae) parasitizing birds in southeastern Brazil, with notes on Rickettsia detection. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinaria. 27:354-362.
Bolton, S.J., Bauchan, G.R., Chetverikov, P.E., Ochoa, R., Klompen, H. 2018. A rudimentary sheath for the smallest of ‘biting’ chelicerae; A precursor to the stylet sheath of Eriophyoidea (Acariformes). International Journal of Acarology. 44(8):374-381.
Yi, T., Ochoa, R. 2019. Revision of Bryobiella Tuttle & Baker (Acari, Tetranychidae), with ontogenetic development and redescription of B. desertorum. Zootaxa. 4540(1):93-131.
Otero-Colina, G., Ochoa, R., Amrine, J., Hammond, J., Jordan, R.L., Bauchan, G.R. 2019. Eriophyoid mites found on roses in the United States. Journal of Environmental Horticulture. 36(4):146-153.
Bauchan, G.R., Otero-Colina, G., Hammond, J., Jordan, R.L., Ochoa, R. 2019. Rose rosette disease: It all started with a small mite. Acta Horticulturae. 1232(33):227-232. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1232.33.
Castro, E.B., Ochoa, R., Bauchan, G.R., Feres, R. 2019. Two new species of Tenuipalpus sensu stricto (Acari; Tenuipalpidae) from Brazil, with a discussion on the ontogeny of leg setae. Zootaxa. 4540(1):178-210.
