The predatory mite, Neoseiulus neoagrestis Khaustov and Döker (Acari: Phytoseiidae), recently described as new species for science, but seems to have a great potential to be used in biological control. In this study, as a first step to determine the optimum temperature (between three temperatures tested) for its mass rearing, we studied its biological characteristics and life table parameters fed on Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) at three different temperatures (20, 25, and 30 °C) under laboratory conditions. Results show that immature development, oviposition period as well as reproductive potential of this predator are significantly vary depending on the temperature. The immature developmental times and adult longevity for females, are ranged between 5.42 to 10.42 days and 39.88 to 74.12 days, based on the temperature, respectively. Average total number of eggs laid by per female at 25 °C (62.29) and 30 °C (58.65) are more or less similar but higher than that determined at 20 °C (41.46). The highest net reproductive rate (R₀) is 29.066 (offspring/individual) at 25 °C. In addition, the highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) is 0.241 day^-1 at 30 °C. Furthermore, the highest finite rate of increase (λ = 1.272 day^-1), and the shortest mean generation time (T = 13.416 days) and doubling time (DT = 2.874 days) are also determined at 30 °C. Our results demonstrate that N. neoagrestis successfully completed immature development, and can survive and reproduce at all tested temperatures. Nevertheless, a series of biological characteristics of this predator are differentially affected by the temperature. Finally, 25 °C and 30 °C seems to be more suitable for mass rearing of this predator on T . putrescentiae. Further studies should be conducted to determine biological characteristics and life table parameters of N. neoagrestis on several important pests such as spider mites, whiteflies and thrips.

This review discusses various aspects of biology, production and application of phytoseiid mites in plant protection. Phytoseiids are one of the most widely used groups of natural enemies for biological control in greenhouses. Currently, 45 species are available on the market; many of them are produced in weekly amounts of tens of millions. The most popular biocontrol agents are omnivorous species Neoseiulus cucumeris, N. barkeri, Amblyseius andersoni, A. swirskii, Typhlodromus pyri, and T. montdorensis. They control wide range of pests but have no strong food preferences. As a result, they are used mostly in inundative augmentation, which means instant releases of large numbers of of individuals. Entomophages of this group quickly develop resistance to pesticides in the field, which opens up opportunities for selecting resistant lines. The review also talks about the introduction and maintenance of predator populations in greenhouses, including the use of banker plants.

The article analyzes newly identified documents detailing the detention of prisoners in Finnish detention facilities created on the territory of the Olonets region of Karelia during the Great Patriotic War. They provide an opportunity of studying regional aspects of the Finnish occupation of Karelia in 1941-44, comparing the data with other materials on the Finnish occupation of the Olonets region. The documents are letters of concentration camp prisoners, written to the archive in late 20th century in order to obtain certificates of their occupancy in the camp. Although the letters should have been stricken off, the archivists of the Olonets Archive have preserved them and carried out their initial analysis. These letters are, in essence, memoirs, and in the case of the Finnish occupation of Karelia, memoirs are often the only source allowing us to study the nature of the occupation regime. For instance, the letters have permitted to identify the exact location of some Finnish camps on the territory of the Olonets region, which remained unclear when working with the People's Commissariat for State Security (NKGB) documents. Some war crimes of the Finnish occupiers were already known, but these documents reveal new crimes of the camp guards, some against children. The letters listing names of deceased relatives are also of great interest, showing the mortality rate in the camps. In addition to confirming their occupancy in the camp, former prisoners recalled the events of the Finnish occupation of Karelia. This material demonstrates what work was performed by prisoners, reveals specific war crimes, and reconstructs everyday life in the detention camps. It is worth noting that modern Russian historiography often raises the issue of the impact of occupation on the psyche of children. The documents presented in the article contribute to the study of this issue. They can be used for studying regional aspects of the Finnish occupation of Karelia, for identifying war crimes, for micro level study of the Finnish occupation, and for indactive study of the occupation regime on the territory of the USSR in the days of the Great Patriotic War.