PARASITISM OF TRIGONOTYLUS DODDI (HETEROPTERA: MIRIDAE) BY LASIOERYTHRAEUS JOHNSTONI (ACARI: ERYTHRAEIDAE), WITH NOTES ON ADDITIONAL HOSTS AND DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

Three new host species of Lasioerythraeus johnstoni Welbourn & Young are reported from Washington County, MS during 1986. These hosts were in the Thysanoptera (Thripidae) and Hemiptera (Cydnidae and Miridae), and increase to 18 the number of known hosts of L. johnstoni. Ecological characteristics of the 12 known sites of L. johnstoni are summarized, indicating an apparent association of these mites with undisturbed early successional moist habitats containing Erigeron sp. (Compositae), to include pasture, old-field, and roadside areas. A parasitization rate of 85% was recorded for 235 Trigonotylus doddi (Distant) nymphs collected at one time and place. Sixty-three percent of these hosts had one L. johnstoni attached; the remainder had 2–5 attached mites. Sixty-four percent of the attachment sites were on molt sutures.