• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2021

Leptotrombidium scutellare is one of the 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China. It has been found in more than 15 provinces of China. Especially in Yunnan, it was found to be mainly distributed in some mountainous areas with high altitude, low temperature and low precipitation. Rodents and some other small mammals were the most common hosts of L. scutellare. To date, more than 40 host species of L. scutellare have been recorded with very low host specificity, and the main hosts varied in different geographical regions. L. scutellare had a strong resistance against the cold environment, and the temperature and humidity were 2 important factors affecting its growth and development. Among different individuals of their rodent hosts, L. scutellare mites often showed an aggregated distribution pattern, which reflected the interspecific cooperation of the mites. The chromosome karyotype of L. scutellare was 2n=16 and all the 8 pairs of chromosomes were short rod-shaped with metacentric or sub-metacentric types. The isozyme spectrum supported that L. scutellare, L. deliense and L. rubellum were in the same species group. Based on the natural infection, experimental transmission and epidemiological evidence, L. scutellare has been eventually confirmed as the second major vector of scrub typhus in China, which is second only to L. deliense.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.254-263
• /
• 2023

Two feather mites, Brephosceles anatina Dubinin, 1951 (Analgoidea: Alloptidae) and Freyana anatina (Koch, 1844) (Pterolichoidea: Freyanidae), have been reported for the first time from the Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Anas zonorhyncha Swinhoe, 1866 (Anseriformes: Anatidae), in Korea. The genera Brephosceles Hull, 1934 and Freyana Haller, 1877 are new records of Korean fauna. The morphology of B. anatina is distinguished from three species of the lambda species group in having legs IV extending the level of setae e2 with the distal end of the tarsus in males, and the incision on the posterior margin of the hysteronotal shield triangular-shaped and distinctly longer than its greatest width in females. Freyana anatina is distinguished from F. nyrocae and F. obliquasetae in having setae ps1 with a rectangle bend in homeomorphic males, and setae ps1 obliquely ovate and divergent, with the inner canal going obliquely across the membranous part of these setae in females. This study provides morphological redescriptions of both feather mite species supplemented with partial sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI), based on specimens collected in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.88-94
• /
• 2024

Pet rabbits are affected by the highly contagious ectoparasite Psoroptes (P.) ovis, which carries significant economic implications for the global rabbit industry. Accurate identification of the mite species remains essential to implement effective treatment and control strategies. Two approximately one-year-old female pet rabbits were admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Chungbuk National University due to excessive scratching of the ears and the presence of waxy debris within the ear canals. Mites were isolated from the waxy debris extracted from the ear canals and subsequently identified as Psoroptes spp. through microscopic examination. Species confirmation was achieved through mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene analysis. The analysis revealed the mites to be P. ovis based on cox1 gene sequences. The deposited GenBank accession numbers for these sequences are OR985022 and OR985023. This represents the first report of mitochondrial cox1 gene sequences of P. ovis isolated from pet rabbits in South Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Soil Zoology
• /
• v.6 no.1_2
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2001

Oribatid mite communities in the process of litter decomposition were analyzed In Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) forests of Namsan and Kwangreung, which were supposed to be under different environmental selective pressures. Oribatid mites were collected bimonthly from the litter bags (mesh size 0.4 mm, 1.7 mm) which was set up in the forest floor of study sites. This study had been carried out from Jan., 1997 to Sept., 1998. Species abundance of Kwangreung (mesh size 1.7 mm) was significantly higher than that of Namsan (mesh size 1.7 mm), but total no. of species did not exceed 30 species in all study sites. Concerning body length, medium sized oribatid mites (0.3-0.7mm) were more abundant than small ( < 0.3 mm) and large ( > 0.7 mm) sized mites. In Kwangreung, species whose body lengths were 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm were major group. However, a little larger species than Kwangreung's major group were dominant in Namsan. Sorenson similarity index and cluster analysis suggested that there were qualitative and quantitative differences in species composition in Namsan and Kwangreung. More species were collected in May through September than the other sampling times, but the pattern was rather different between first year and second year. Newly immigrant species were high in May in the first year and many of them regained on next year. Diversity indices suggested that species diversity of Kwangreung was higher than that of Namsan. Nearly 70% of total individual abundance was occupied by several dominant species in Namsan and Kwangreung . In the litter bags of mesh size 1.7 mm, the most dominant species was Trichogalumna nipponica in Namsan and Kwangreung, but in the litter bags of mesh size 0.4 mm in Kwangreung it was Ramusella sengbuschi which is smaller than T. nipponica. And important species related to litter decomposition were selected as follows; T. nipponica, Epidamaeus coreanus, Scheloribates latipes, Ceratozetes japonicus, Ramusella sengbuschi, Eohypochthonius crassisetiger, and Cultroribula lata.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.370-373
• /
• 1998

Fumigation by combination of methyl bromide/phosphide ($MB/PH_3$) was much more effective in disinfestating the rose insect pests (Aphis gossypii, Tetranychus urticae, and Frankliniella occidentalis) than that by individual MB or $PH_3$. Fumigation for 2 hours in the chamber using ;$MB/PH_3$ at the concentration of $10/3g{\cdot}m^{-3}$ brought about 91.3% and 100% mortality in aphids and thrips, respectively. Fumigation for 3 hrs using ;$MB/PH_3$ at the concentration of 5/3 or $7/3g{\cdot}m^{-3}$ showed over 96% mortalities in mites and thrips as well as no phytotoxicity symptoms, e.g. tip burn or bent neck, in cut roses, while mortalities of mites and thrips were not influenced by increasing $CO_2$ concerntration from 0.03% to 10% or decreasing $O_2$ concentration up to 15% in fumigation chamber.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.341-348
• /
• 1992

Because no reference on trombiculid mites (Acarina: Trombiculidae) in Cheju Island where tsutsugamushi disease is highly endemic had been available, studies on trombiculid mites in Cheju Island were implemented during the period of August 1991-Apil 1992, and the results obtained are summarized as follows: (1) The species and numbers of the field rodents collected were 143 Apodemus agrarius chejuensis (92.3%), 11 Crocidura lasiura (7. l%) and 1 Micromys minutus (0.6%) From total 12,075 chiggers harvested, 9 species of 4 genera in Trombiculidae were identified. (2) The predominant species through all seasons was 1. setum (43.3%), followed by 1. orientale (27.4%) and 1. scutellare (26.6%). However, in autumn when the most cases of tsutsugamushi disease occur, 1. scutellere was prominently predominant, having 79.8% of the collected chiggers. (3) Among 1,1421. scutellare examined for Rickettsia tsutsugpmushi by means of IFA test, 6 individuals were found positive showing 0.5% of infection rate. This is the first finding that 1. scutellere is the second vector species of tsutsugamushi disease in Korea. (4) Antibody positive rate of A. agrarius chejuensis sera were 31.2% (44/139), and 1 M. minutes serum was also found positive. The seropositive rates by season were not so significantly different. Key words: Tsutsugamushi disease, epidemiology, vector species, Cheju Island, Korea.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.58 no.3
• /
• pp.301-308
• /
• 2020

Owing to global climate change, the global resurgence of vector-borne infectious diseases and their potential to inflict widespread casualties among human populations has emerged as a pivotal burden on public health systems. Tsutsugamushi disease (scrub typhus) in the Republic of Korea is steadily increasing and was designated as a legal communicable disease in 1994. The disease is a mite-borne acute febrile disease most commonly contracted from October to December. In this study, we tried to determine the prevalence of tsutsugamushi disease transmitted by chigger mites living on rodents and investigated their target vector diversity, abundance, and distribution to enable the mapping of hotspots for this disease in 2015. A total of 5 species belonging to 4 genera (109 mites): Leptotrombidium scutellare 60.6%, L. pallidum 28.4% Neotrombicula tamiyai 9.2%, Euschoengastia koreaensis/0.9%), and Neoschoengastia asakawa 0.9% were collected using chigger mite collecting traps mimicking human skin odor and sticky chigger traps from April to November 2015. Chigger mites causing tsutsugamushi disease in wild rodents were also collected in Hwaseong for the zoonotic surveillance of the vector. A total of 77 rodents belonging to 3 genera: Apodemus agrarius (93.5%), Crocidura lasiura (5.2%), and Micromys minutus (1.3%) were collected in April, October, and November 2015. The most common mite was L. pallidum (46.9%), followed by L. scutellare (18.6%), and L. orientale (18.0%). However, any of the chigger mite pools collected from rodent hosts was tested positive for Orientia tsutsugamushi, the pathogen of tsutsugamushi disease, in this survey.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.171-180
• /
• 1997

Studies on geographical distributions and relative population densities of the vector mites of tsutsugamushi disease were carried out in October 1996 at 12 locations of the mid south inland of the Korean peninsula, where chigger mites have been never studied. Of 177 field rodents and insectivores collected. 154 (87.0%) were Apodemus ngrarius. Total 25,707 chigger mites were collected and 14 species were identified. of which Leptotrombidium pnllidum was predominant (79.8%) and L. palpate the next (8.9%) . L. pallidum, the vector species, was widely distributed in all study areas, showing the highest density at Cho-o 2-dong, Sangju-si (chigger index 201.8), and the lowest at Tanwol-dong. Chungiu-si (chigger index 40.7) . The other vector species, L. scutellare was found only at the southern part of the study area such as Yobae and Mipyong, Kumrung gun and Vnsu , Kimchon-si. The northernmost areas of the L. scutellcre distribution were coincided with the areas where actual mean air temperature is above 10.0%. Among 157 A. ograrius sera tested, 48.3% was Karp, 1.7% william and 3.3% Kuroki. The rest of the sera were not able to determine the sexto-type because of the cross antigen-antibody reactions among the tested sero-types.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.7
• /
• pp.39-51
• /
• 1969

The study involved determination of resistance levels of spider mites ta argano-phosphates using topical application and slide dip techniques; laboratory serening tests of alternative acaricides using an O/P resistant strain and a field trial of the screened materials. 1. Strains of Tetranychus were from Timaru(TR), Havelock Narth (HNR), Lincaln (LN). Germany (GR, GN). Comparisons of the resistant strains and normal strains at the LD50 and LC50 levels were as follows : (a) Using the topical application tochnique; with Parathian. resistant levels of the GR. TR and HNR strains of T. urticae were respeativuly, 1035. 484 and 452 times as resistant' as the LN strain. (b) Using the slide dip technique; with Phosdrin, resistant of GR, TR and HNR strains of T. urticae were 635, 274 and 266 times greater respeativuly, than the GN strain. 2. The laboratory sereaning tests were carried out far their contact plus stomach and residual effect to assess the toxicities of eleven alternative materials which would be used far control of O/P resistant strain of T. urticae. The acaricide groups represented were 3 organo-chlorines (Spidex, Kelthane and C 8514), 2 nitrophenyls (UC 19786 and Morocide), 2 cyclic carbonates(Eradex and Morestan). I carbamate (UC2004 7A), 1 mixture of carbamate and orano-chlorine and 2 other chemicals (C 8677 and M2527). From all acaricide tested. Kelthane and Morocide were the most effective, folowed by Spidex and M2527. Morestan, C8514. C8677 and RS 143 were intermediate, but Eradex, UC 19786 and UC 20046A were poor. 3, The number of sapmles required for estimation of the population in the field evaluation of acaricidal effects was one giving the highest practical precision. It was decided, after preliminary sampling trials. to use samples of 30 leaves per replicate which gave a $5.7\%$ standard error. 4. In the field trials, Morocide applied at the $0.05\%\;and\; 0.04\%$ a. i. conc. to black currant trees gave excellent control of O/P resistant population of T. urticae for about 12 days, but Morocide 0.025 and Kel thane $0.02\%$ a. i. cone. gave efficient control for about 6 days. In other words. first applications of Kel thane ane Moroeide gave very high degrees of control of O/P resistant population of the two-spotted spider mite. However, the results indicate that secondary application would sometimes be necessary. There was no foliage damage of black Currants and strawberries by either acaricides at the concentrations used. Acknowledgment ... The authors are grateful to: Dr. R. P. pottinger, Senior Lecturer in Agricultural Zoology. Lincoln college. New Zealand. for his helpful assistance in aiding with the organization of thd field work. Department of agriculture officers for mite colonies. Mr. D. A. Slade, Technical Advisor. Fruitgrowers' Federation (now at Massey University) for his assistance and provision of mites for testing. Mr T. McRae of Timaru for permission to use his crops for field tests. The following chemical companies and I or their New Zealand agents for so readily supplying samples of acarides; Ivan Watkins-Dow Limited. Fruitgrowers Chemical Company Limited. Henry H. York & company (New Zealand). Shell Oil (New Zealand) Limited.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.27-34
• /
• 1996

The geographical distribution and population density of rodents and chigger mites at six localities of Chollanam-do were investigated from October to December in 1993. Among total 142 field rodents collected by the modified Chemin wooden traps, 131 rodents were Aponemw usrari,us (92.3%) and 11 were Crocidurc losiurc (7.7%). Out of 142 field rodents, 92 were parasitized by chiggers, showing 69.0% of the infestation rate and 74.2 of the chiggor index. Infestation rate and chigger index of A. omfernrius and C. lusiurc were 73.3%, 80.4 and 18.2%, 0.5, respectively. From the trapped field rodents, 10,532 chiggers were collected and identified with 11 species of 4 genera. Leptotrombidium pcLLinun. the vector 3pecies of tsutsugamushi disease, was the dominant species, showing 8,038 chi99ers (76.31%). L. scutellnre was the second dominant species showing 1,359 chiggers (12.9%). The distribution of chigger mites was clearly localized by the species, showing the different dominant species according to localities. The predominant species was 1. scutellare (100%) in Changhung-gun, 1. scutellcre (41.5%) in Posong-gun, 1. pnllidum (88.8%) in Hwasun- gun, 1. pnLlidunl (59.2%) in Koksong-gun, 1. zetum (77.3%) in Hampyong-gun, and 1. pclpcle (63.4%) in Tamyang-gun. Regarding to the geographical distribution of chigger population density, the infestation rate and chigger index was most high in Hwasun-gun as 62.4% and 216.2 respectively, and next high in Koksong-gun as 22.4% and 77.7%, respectively.