In the present study, we evaluated the effect of management practices, fruit season, host habitats (young and old fronds, date fruits and grasses), and temperature on the phenology and abundance of the date palm mite (DPM). The study was conducted in two date palm orchards (two plots each): a managed and an unmanaged plot. The phenology of DPM was assessed based on adult cumulative mite days (ACMDs), while mean mite density was used to assess the mite abundance on different host habitats. The ACMDs and mean mite density were significantly different between managed and unmanaged plots on different host habitats in both fruiting and off-seasons. The date fruits had highest ACMDs during fruiting season. While young fronds had significantly higher ACMDs than on old fronds an grasses during both seasons in both plots.. The temperature and season type significantly affected the mean density of DPM eggs and adults. There was a significant effect of host habitats mean density of DPM eggs and immatures. Based on the adult phenology and abundance of DPM, the mite overwinters in young fronds and aerial offshoots of infested date palm trees. These overwintering DPM caused the seasonal date fruit infestation, each year. Additionally, different phytophagous and predatory mites, which co-occur with DPM, and were found on different host habitats affected the phenology and abundance of DPM. Moreover, the change in DPM body color was related to the host habitat that they fed in. Exceptionally, the brown color of females collected during the winter season could be due to physiological changes due to low temperature. In DPM males collected from different host habitats throughout the study, some morphological variations in the width of the knob, height of the hook, and the angle between the knob axis and dorsal margin of the shaft were also recorded. The results of this study suggest that young fronds and grasses are the suitable sites for DPM survival and overwintering. Hence, the management practices, early in the fruit season and/or during off fruit winter months, should be directed towards these habitats. These could provide efficient reduction in seasonal infestation of DPM.

The present study aimed to develop taxonomic keys to the world species of the genus Bryobia, categorized into three subgenera: Allobia Livschits & Mitrofanov, Bryobia s. str. Koch, and Lyobia Livschits & Mitrofanov. Published descriptions, redescriptions, and illustrations of a total of 149 world species were thoroughly analyzed. The taxonomic notes on the status of the species in the species groups of each subgenus are discussed in detail. The variability of morphological characters found among different populations of a species is discussed. As a result, 116 species of the genus Bryobia were classified in three diagnostic keys, with 22, 43, and 51 species assigned to the three subgenera Allobia, Bryobia, and Lyobia, respectively. The population of B. neoribis Tuttle & Baker from Utah, USA, should be re-identified through type examination due to differences from the original description of the species. Additionally, taxonomic notes are provided on the status of the remaining 33 species, and arguments are provided on suggested synonyms among them.

The present study aimed to revise the subgeneric divisions of the genus Bryobia based on persistent characteristics and to propose species groups in each subgenus to further ease the identification of species. As a result, only three subgenera, based on literature, are recognized, viz, subgenus Bryobia Koch (duplex setae present on leg tarsi III–IV), subgenus Allobia Livschits and Mitrofanov (duplex setae absent on leg tarsi III–IV), and subgenus Lyobia Livschits and Mitrofanov (duplex setae present only on leg tarsus III). The analysis based on morphological characters and available COI sequences on the GenBank database did not resolve the phylogenetic relationship of Bryobia species, and likewise, no support could be found for the proposed subgeneric divisions. The species in each subgenus were further categorized into species groups based on the position of the fourth pair of dorsocentral setae f1, viz, three species groups, praetiosa, osterloffi, and neoephedrae in subgenus Bryobia; three species groups, pritchardi, abbatielloi, and deserticola in subgenus Allobia; and three species groups, eurotiae, sarothamni, and rubrioculus in subgenus Lyobia. Furthermore, detailed notes are provided on eight Bryobia species which were described by Meyer, having morphological characteristics of both the tribes Bryobiini and Hystrichonychini. The generic status of two bryobine species, B. pseudorubrioculus Smiley and Baker and B. tuttlie Smiley and Baker, is also discussed and considered as species inquirendae.

The present study aimed to evaluate the web coping and attack behavior of a specialist mite predator, Stethorus gilvifrons, against the webbing structures of different spider mite pest species: Oligonychus afrasiaticus, Tetranychus urticae, Eutetranychus orientalis and O. punicae. The females of each pest species, in three different treatments, were allowed to construct web structures in the experimental arenas. The predator exhibited three different attack behaviors which were associated with the webbing life types of pest species. Against the O. afrasiaticus web, the predator used its palps and mandibles. Against the T. urticae web, the predator also made use of its first pair of legs to widen the entry hole it made by cutting. Against the O. punicae web, the predator protruded its hypognathous mouthparts to feed on mite individuals by merely entering into the web. Behavioral responses were also found to be associated with webbing life types of pests. Against O. afrasiaticus and O. punicae, the predator spent much time in web penetration and searching behaviors, respectively. The density-dependent complexity of web structure may cause hindrance to the predator, and it is suggested that adults should be released when a pest colony is growing with low webbing complexity for efficient pest management.

A new genus, Monobius Alatawi and Kamran, is hereby proposed for the two already described species, viz; M. electrus (Żmudziński) and M. meyerae (Bolland). In addition, the monospecific genus Tillandsobius Bolland is synonymized with the genus Tycherobius Bolland due to variations in the setae number of tibiae I–IV. Further, the genus Neophyllobius Berlese is categorized in two new subgeneric divisions as Neophyllobius Berlese and Monophyllobius Mirza. The number and position of the midventral setae on tarsi I–IV are considered as strong diagnostic generic and subgeneric diagnostic characters. The present study also includes the key to all known species of the genus Neophyllobius. The morphological characters of ten poorly described Neophyllobius species were studied in detail through published literature. The ambiguities in the ventral idiosoma setal notation are highlighted and discussed. It is concluded that two intercoxal setae 3a–4a are always present on small platelets, paired aggenital setae (ag) are present anteriorly and paired genital setae (g) present posteriorly on genital shield. In addition, five records of new species for Saudi Arabia are reported along with re–descriptions of three species.