Mycopathogens of Mites in Poland - A Review

• Published in: Biocontrol science and technology 2000-08, Vol.10 (4), p.459-465
• Main Authors: Miętkiewski, R., Bałazy, S., Tkaczuk, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hirsutella; Mycoses Of Mites; Neozygites; Poland; Tarichium
• ISSN: 0958-3157; 1360-0478
• DOI: 10.1080/09583150050115043

Studies on diseases of mites caused by entomopathogenic fungi have been undertaken in Poland about a half a century later than in West European countries. Nevertheless, during the last 30 years almost 40 species of arthropod pathogenic fungi have been identified, among them 23 species of Entomophthorales, 12 species of Hyphomycetales and four species of ectoparasitic Laboulbeniales. The most common are representatives of the genus Hirsutella , found both on phytophagous and parasitic or predaceous mites. Percentage infection by H. thompsonii in populations of some tarsonemid and eriophyid mites increases slowly from the end of spring reaching a maximum of 30-60% in August-September. Neozygites floridana is a common entomophthoralean species causing epizootics in spider mite populations; infection also peaks in late summer and autumn. The most numerous fungal taxa have been identified from the resting spores produced internally within the body of the host and show features of the genus Tarichium . From the total number of the taxa recorded within these studies, 22 were described as species new to science. Current research on invertebrate pathology in Poland includes many groups of mites and among their pathogens fungal diseases seem to be the most common.