Mites: Ecology, Evolution & Behaviour


Book Description

More than 40,000 species of mites have been described, and up to 1 million may exist on earth. These tiny arachnids play many ecological roles including acting as vectors of disease, vital players in soil formation, and important agents of biological control. But despite the grand diversity of mites, even trained biologists are often unaware of their significance. Mites: Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour (2nd edition) aims to fill the gaps in our understanding of these intriguing creatures. It surveys life cycles, feeding behaviour, reproductive biology and host-associations of mites without requiring prior knowledge of their morphology or taxonomy. Topics covered include evolution of mites and other arachnids, mites in soil and water, mites on plants and animals, sperm transfer and reproduction, mites and human disease, and mites as models for ecological and evolutionary theories.




Mites to Mastodons


Book Description

From as little as the snail to as big as the giraffe, from the thundering mastodon of long ago to the ordinary backyard squirrel of today, the animals in this book inspire our imagination. Here is a fascinating cornucopia that exudes a whimsical affection and respect for the creatures with whom we share our kingdom.




Dust Mites


Book Description

Conservatively, at least 100 million people are affected by house dust mite allergy worldwide, manifesting itself as asthma, rhinitis or atopic dermatitis. Despite the growing recognition of this major public health problem, and commitment of considerable research resources, there is still no simple, effective, generally-applicable strategy for dust mite control. The reasons for this are complex, but a contributing factor remains some important knowledge gaps and misconceptions regarding aspects of biology and ecology of dust mites. The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive reference work for all readers with an involvement or interest in house dust mite research and management, incorporating for the first time in a single volume the topics of systematics and identification, physiology, ecology, allergen biochemistry and molecular biology, epidemiology, mite control and allergen avoidance. It is hoped the book will help spread the message that studies of the biology and ecology of house dust mites should be regarded within the context of allergic disease rather than as ends in themselves, and that approaches to mite control in clinical management are subject to the same series of ecological rules as any other major problem in pest management.




Mites (Acari) for Pest Control


Book Description

Mites (Acari) for Pest Control is an extremely comprehensivepublication, covering in depth the 34 acarine families that containmites useful for the control of pest mites and insects, nematodesand weeds. In addition to providing information on each relevantacarine family, the book includes essential information on theintroduction, culture and establishment of acarine biocontrolagents, the effects of the host plants, agrochemicals andenvironmental factors on mites used in biological control anddiscusses commercial and economic considerations in theiruse. Mites are now used in various ways for biological control, witha growing number of species being sold commercially throughout theworld. The authors of this landmark publication, who have betweenthem a huge wealth of experience working with mites in biologicalcontrol programs, have put together a book that will for many yearsbe the standard reference on the subject. The book will be of great value to all those working in cropprotection and biological control both in research as well as incommercial operations, including acarologists, entomologists,integrated pest management specialists, agricultural and plantscientists. Libraries in all universities and researchestablishments where these subjects are studied and taught shouldall have copies on their shelves. Uri Gerson is at the Department of Entomology, Faculty ofAgricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Hebrew University,Rehovot, Israel. Robert L. Smiley and Ronald Ochoaare at the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, US Department ofAgriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA




Control of Poultry Mites (Dermanyssus)


Book Description

This book details worldwide research activities at laboratory and farm levels to control poultry red mites. It presents new control methods based on plants, predators or vaccine developments together with updated chemical, physical and managerial approaches.




Mites No More


Book Description

MITES NO MORE was written to help you fully eliminate annoying bird mites or other unidentified, tiny parasites that crawl on the skin and bite. Research and experience indicates that bird mites, northern avian mites and tropical bird mites are a growing problem, afflicting many households. This book contains proven mite-fighting solutions and practical tips for winning the battle of the bugs. Through personal experience in fully eradicating a year-long mite infestation, author Robert E. Johnson used trial and error to discover the right combination strategies for fighting mites. His efforts led to 100% bird mite extermination. In MITES NO MORE, you will read his story and learn the exact techniques and secrets he used to make it happen.




Mites of Greenhouses


Book Description

Mites are among the most important arthropods in greenhouses, both as pests causing economic injury to greenhouse crops, and as natural enemies used in the biological control of pest insects and other mites. Because of their minute size, mites are much less well known than insects. This book describes the biology, identification and control of such mites and the topics covered include an introduction to the Acari, illustrated keys to orders, families and selected species, the control of pest mites, and the role of beneficial mites in biological control. The book will be of interest to those working in entomology, crop protection and horticulture.




Citrus Mites


Book Description

Citrus pests are a serious issue for crop growers, causing problems in yield and economic losses. This title studies mites harmful to citrus plants from various citrus growing regions around the world. It addresses methods of removal from plants, describes symptoms of damage caused by pests and discusses methods of eradication and control.




Aquatic Mites from Genes to Communities


Book Description

Although the ancestral home of chelicerates was the sea, the vast majority of modern species live on land. Most students of spiders and mites also restrict themselves to terrestrial habitats. However, a surprising number of mites (Arachnida: Acari) have returned to a watery existence. Approximately 7000 species from the Mesostigmata, Astigmata, Oribatida, and especially the Prostigmata, now live in marine and freshwater habitats. In Aquatic Mites, a dozen chapters explore the distribution, ecology, behavior, genetics, and evolution of the most diverse of these astonishing arachnids. The results of these studies raise as many interesting questions as they answer, and should provoke more investigations of the biology of freshwater and marine Acari.




The Year of the Mite


Book Description

All it took was a few baby chicks and a carpeted floor, and soon, Jane Ishka, a San Francisco Bay Area homesteader, literally felt her skin crawling. She—and her house, her car, and all of her belongings—had been infested by the red poultry mite, Dermanyssus gallinae. Driven from her home and bed by the biting and itching, Jane used her scientific background to figure out what was wrong, and most importantly, how to fix it.