The distribution of Halotydeus destructor and Penthaleus major (Acari : Eupodidae) in Australia in relation to climate and land use

Abstract

The red-legged earth mite, H, destructor, is restricted to the southern parts of Australia having a Mediterranean-type climate, with warm dry summer and cool wet winter. The northern or inland distribution agrees closely with the 205-mm isohyet for the growing season May-October inclusive. The eastern distribution is limited by the quantity of midsummer (December-March) rainfall and agrees closely with the 225-mm isohyet for this period. Other limitations to distribution within these isohyets are imposed by high summer temperatures (mean monthly maximum of hottest month, 33�C). The blue oat mite, P. major, can tolerate a drier climate, reaching a May-October isohyet of about 190 mrn, and a higher proportion of summer rain. This enables it to survive on the south coast of New South Wales and on the northern tablelands of New South Wales as far as southern Queensland, but not in north coastal areas where the midsummer rainfall exceeds about 500 mm. On the evidence available, the likely future movements of these mites both within Australia and overseas are discussed. Vigilance will be needed to prevent H. destructor from becoming a pest in the Americas and in the Mediterranean region.

A redescription ofHalotydeus destructor(Tucker) (Prostigmata: Penthaleidae), with a Survey of ontogenetic setal Development in the Superfamily eupodoidea

“…with dry warm summers and cold wet winters (Wallace and Mahon, 1971;Meyer, 1981). It will attack a wide range of cereals, ornamental plants and vegetable crops (Jeppson et al, 1975), but is particularly injurious to leguminous plants such as clover and lucerne.…”

Seasonal occurrence and abundance of redlegged earth miteHalotydeus destructor(Acari: Penthaleidae) in annual pastures of southwestern Australia

“…Halotydeus destructor occurs mainly in regions with a cool wet winter where the winter rainfall, between May and October, is greater than 204 mm, and a warm dry summer where the summer rainfall, between December and April, is less than 104 mm (Wallace & Mahon, 1971). Halotydeus destructor is active during the cooler, wetter period of the year from May to October.…”

Competitive Interactions Between Two Pest Species of Earth Mites, <I>Halotydeus destructor</I> and <I>Penthaleus major</I> (Acarina: Penthaleidae)

“…P. major is also polyphagous although it tends to feed primarily on pasture grasses as well as wheat, barley, oats, and peas (Weeks and Hoffmann 1999). Both species have a similar distribution throughout southern Australia, although P. major extends into drier inland regions (Wallace and Mahon 1971) and higher rainfall areas. The mites are active in the Þeld during winter from April to late October with two or three generations occurring each season.…”