TY - JOUR JF - Acarologia T1 - From Lab to Leaf: Optimizing Survival and Release Methods for an Eriophyid Mite-Based Biocontrol program VL - 66 IS - Suppl SP - 278 EP - 278 PY - 2026 SN - 0044-586X SN - 2107-7207 PB - Les Amis d'Acarologia AU - Mehedi Hassan, Sharif AU - Mélanie, Tannieres AU - René, Sforza UR - https://doi.org/10.24349/e3pd-nbx3 DO - 10.24349/e3pd-nbx3 DA - 2026-07-20 ET - 2026-07-20 KW - Aculus taihangensis KW - Ailanthus altissima KW - Biological control KW - Eriophyid mite KW - Field application strategy AB - Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, a fast-growing Asian native, is a globally invasive tree that suppresses native vegetation, disrupts ecosystem processes, and serves as a primary host for the spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae), a major viticultural pest. The eriophyid mite Aculus taihangensis, Hong & Xue (Acari: Eriophyidae) represents a promising biological control candidate due to its strict host specificity and ability to cause severe physiological damage to the target plant. However, addressing laboratory findings into field applications requires a comprehensive understanding of mite survival, stress recovery, and effective release strategies. To support future field applications, mite survival and recovery of Aculus taihangensis were assessed under controlled laboratory conditions, and the efficiency of several inoculation methods was evaluated. Survival was tested under feeding and non-feeding conditions across two temperatures (10°C and 20°C) and relative humidities (70% and 90%), followed by recovery assessment upon transfer to fresh host material. For release trials, four carrier-based release methods were checked: leaf paste, cat litter, alginate beads, yeast and vermiculite. Mite survival, post-inoculation recovery, reproductive capacity, transfer efficiency, and practical suitability were monitored as key indicators of establishment potential on A. altissima. Survival of A. taihangensis was significantly influenced by both temperature and humidity, and once recovered, mites were able to reproduce after two weeks, with populations increasing exponentially over time. Spray application of a water-based mite suspension was ineffective, most likely due to low transfer efficiency and mechanical stress during application. Among the carrier materials tested, cat litter and alginate beads individually showed limited potential; however, vermiculite and a cat litter–alginate bead combination are expected to enhance mite establishment by maintaining the humidity levels favorable for mite survival. Leaf-paste inoculation showed promising potential, with preliminary results of survival and can be a potential strategy for practical field deployment. Overall, these findings represent an important first step toward bridging laboratory-based survival studies with field biocontrol strategies using A. taihangensis to manage tree of heaven ER -