Species identification of spider mites (Tetranychidae: Tetranychinae): a review of methods

Abstract

Spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) are dangerous pests of agricultural and ornamental crops, the most economically significant of them belonging to the genera Tetranychus, Eutetranychus, Oligonychus and Panonychus. The expansion of the distribution areas, the increased harmfulness and dangerous status of certain species in the family Tetranychidae and their invasion of new regions pose a serious threat to the phytosanitary status of agroand biocenoses. Various approaches to acarofauna species diagnosis determine a rather diverse range of currently existing methods generally described in this review. Identification of spider mites by morphological traits, which is currently considered the main method, is complicated due to the complexity of preparing biomaterials for diagnosis and a limited number of diagnostic signs. In this regard, biochemical and molecular genetic methods such as allozyme analysis, DNA barcoding, restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), selection of species-specific primers and real-time PCR are becoming important. In the review, close attention is paid to the successful use of these methods for species discrimination in the mites of the subfamily Tetranychinae. For some species, e. g., the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), a range of identification methods has been developed – from allozyme analysis to loop isothermal amplification (LAMP), while for many other species a much smaller variety of approaches is available. The greatest accuracy in the identification of spider mites can be achieved using a combination of several methods, e. g., examination of morphological features and one of the molecular approaches (DNA barcoding, PCR-RFLP, etc.). This review may be useful to specialists who are in search of an effective system for spider mite species identification as well as when developing new test systems relevant to specific plant crops or a specific region.

New infestation records of two-spotted spider mites on potato tubers under storage conditions and response of genotypes at Kulumsa, Ethiopia

“…They were then examined in the KARC protection laboratory using a stereo microscope with a resolution power of 100 times the actual size in March 2023. Most morphological methods for identifying herbivorous mites are based on the visual evaluation of morphological traits; currently, this is considered the main method (Razuvaeva et al, 2023). The size and shape of the male genitalia are typically used to identify the mite's genus and species (NAPPO, 2014).…”

“…Their morphological identification is, however, greatly complicated by their microscopic size, slight variations in diagnostic features across species belonging to the same genus, and the laboriousness of preparing the biomaterial for study (Konoplev et al, 2017). The study of spider mite population dynamics, prompt control of their numbers in agro-and biocenosis, and the removal of trade barriers based on international plant quarantine are all dependent on the accurate identification of spider mite species (Li et al, 2015;Razuvaeva et al, 2023). The Tetranychidae family is currently diagnosed using biochemical (protein-based) and molecular (DNA-based) approaches, as well as identification by adult morphological trait techniques (Razuvaeva et al, 2023).…”

“…The study of spider mite population dynamics, prompt control of their numbers in agro-and biocenosis, and the removal of trade barriers based on international plant quarantine are all dependent on the accurate identification of spider mite species (Li et al, 2015;Razuvaeva et al, 2023). The Tetranychidae family is currently diagnosed using biochemical (protein-based) and molecular (DNA-based) approaches, as well as identification by adult morphological trait techniques (Razuvaeva et al, 2023). The principles of the morphological approach for identifying spider mites have made a significant contribution to the management and ongoing scientific study of the pest, in which the concepts derived from earlier research remain applicable (Mitrofanov et al, 1987;Mehle and Trdan, 2012;Popov, 2013;Konoplev et al, 2017).…”