Biology of Lasioerythraeus johnstoni (Acari: Erythraeidae), Ectoparasitic and Predaceous on the Tarnished Plant Bug, Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae), and Other Arthropods

One hundred fifty-one host records obtained in 1984—85 from Washington County, Miss., are reported for Lasioerythraeus johnstoni Welbourn & Young. Thirteen insect species from three orders are recorded as hosts of the larval stage, with nymphs of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), representing 52% of all records. Attached larval mites were obtained from undisturbed old-field habitats during the period of 20 March—13 September, with most of the records obtained in July. Parasitization levels for some host species were as high as 46%. Of the attached larval mites, >90% occurred on the dorsal head and thorax, usually at a molt suture. In the laboratory, field-collected attached larval mites killed their hosts and detached within 2 d, passed through several nymphal stages, and became adults in ca. 21 d. Both the active deutonymph and adult forms were predaceous on tarnished plant bug nymphs. L. johnstoni appears to have considerable natural control potential for the tarnished plant bug.