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Title: Infestation of grasses by eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) in Turkey

Author
item KIEDROWICZA, AGNIESZKA - Adam Mickiewicz University
item Rector, Brian
item DENIZHAN, EVSEL - Yuzuncu Yil Centennial University
item SZYDLO, WIKTORIA - Adam Mickiewicz University
item SKORACKA, ANNA - Adam Mickiewicz University

Submitted to: International Journal of Acarology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2014
Publication Date: 8/15/2014
Citation: Kiedrowicza, A., Rector, B.G., Denizhan, E., Szydlo, W., Skoracka, A. 2014. Infestation of grasses by eriophyoid mites (Acari: Eriophyoidea) in Turkey. International Journal of Acarology. 40:421-427.

Interpretive Summary: Wheat and other cereal crops were originally domesticated in the "Fertile Crescent" region that includes much of the eastern half of modern day Turkey. Many plant-feeding mite species live on grasses, with some causing economic damage to wheat and other cereals; however, grass-feeding mites are poorly studied in Turkey. The goal of this study was to survey the mite fauna on wild and domesticated grass species in eastern Turkey in order to better understand relationships between these grasses and their herbivores and to identify potential future pests of wheat and other cereals. Overall, 24 grass species were sampled in eastern Turkey, 19 of which were infested by mites. Seven different mite species were identified, including known pests of cereals, although further genetic and taxonomic studies will be necessary to distinguish between some cryptic mite species.

Technical Abstract: Despite the economic importance of eriophyoid mites as agricultural pests, especially of cereal crops, knowledge of the eriophyoid fauna in Turkey remains incomplete. This paper presents the results of a 3-year study on grass-infesting eriophyoid mites in Turkey. The aim of this study was to collect and identify eriophyoid species infesting wild and cultivated grasses and to estimate the degree of overall mite infestation on grasses. The study involved both qualitative samples (to record presence or absence of mites) and quantitative samples (to investigate parameters of mites infestation: viz. prevalence, intensity and density). Seven eriophyoid species: Aceria tosichella (Keifer, 1969), Abacarus hystrix (Nalepa, 1896), Abacarus lolii Skoracka, 2009, Aculodes holcusi Skoracka, 2004, Aculodes dubius (Nalepa, 1891), Abacarus longilobus Skoracka, 2002, Aculodes n. sp. were collected from grasses in the course of this study. Quantitative data were available for the first four of these species, and parameters of infestation differed greatly among the hosts. Aceria tosichella was the species infesting the largest number of grass species and A. hystrix was the species with the highest values of prevalence and density on wheat. New host species for A. tosichella were reported, including Dactylis glomerata, Bromus sclerophyllus, Eremopyrum orientale, Lolium temulentum and Poa bulbosa; all for the first time in Turkey.