Phoresy of Trichouropoda shcherbakae Hirschmann, 1972 (Acari: Mesostigmata) on beetles of the genus Tetropium Kirby, 1837 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Białowieża Forest, Poland

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the phoretic relationship between two beetle species of the genus Tetropium and mites from order Mesostigmata. The study was conducted in the Białowieża Forest, which is recognized as one of Europe's last natural forest areas. Insects were caught over a period of 8 weeks in 72 attractant traps (type Intercept IPM). In total 1250 specimens of genus Tetropium were collected. We analyzed 524 beetles, including 295 specimens of T. castaneum and 229 specimens of T. fuscum. On 49 beetles (9.4%) there were 785 individuals of Trichouropoda shcherbakae (Trematuridae). Mites were more common on T. fuscum, which carried 82% of all collected deutonymphs. Most of the mites found on beetles were attached to their legs. This study reports on changes in the intensity of phoresy in time and location of mite deutonymphs on their host species. © 2013 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.