Spider Mites Web: An assessment 20 years later
2026 - Volume: 66 Issue: Suppl pages: 209
https://doi.org/10.24349/koe1-vp1b
ICA 2026 - XVII International Congress of Acarology, 20-24 July 2026, Montpellier
Keywords
Databases
Open Science
Taxonomy
Biodiversity
Tetranychidae
Abstract
Spider Mites Web was launched in 2006, and was first presented at ICA XII in Amsterdam that same year. Originally, this tool was a freely accessible database aimed at providing comprehensive information on every species of Tetranychidae, including taxonomy, distribution and host plants with reference to the literature since 1758. Several features have been added since then. The main work that led to this site was the database built by Bolland, Gutierrez and Flechtmann used for the publication of their fundamental work, “World Catalogue of the Spider Mite Family” in 1998. However, recognising the limitations of traditional publications, we first created a private database, which was presented at EurAAc 2004 in Berlin and made freely accessible in 2006. Initially, the database was essentially based on literature records regarding taxonomy, host plants and geographical reports. Several new features have been added over time, turning it into a full comprehensive tool. It can be accessed via a web interface (https://www1.montpellier.inrae.fr/CBGP/spmweb/public/). Three types of query are available by species or any level of taxon, by reference or an advanced search combining genus, host plants and geography. Since 2006, the number of references, host records and geographic records has doubled. Spider Mites Web is now widely used with over 1175 citations, which reinforces our primary aim of sharing knowledge via Open Science. The future of this tool will be in the hands of the community.
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