On January 5, 2026, at the invitation of the Crop Disease Monitoring and Management Team, Professor Suqin Shang from the College of Plant Protection, Gansu Agricultural University, led a delegation to our university and delivered an academic report entitled “Overview of Agricultural Mites.” Faculty members and students from plant pathology, entomology, and related disciplines attended the event.

In her presentation, Professor Shang provided a systematic overview of the biological characteristics, ecological functions, and agricultural significance of mites. She pointed out that agricultural mites, despite their minute size, exert far-reaching impacts on crop production and exhibit dual attributes as both pests and beneficial organisms, warranting close scientific attention.

With regard to pest mites, Professor Shang elaborated on typical groups such as spider mites and grain mites, explaining their feeding mechanisms and potential role as vectors of plant pathogens, which may increase the risk of losses in grain, fruit, and vegetable production.

She further highlighted the important role of predatory mites—particularly members of the family Phytoseiidae—in biological control. As natural enemies of pest mites, predatory mites possess strong predation capacity and adaptability, and play an indispensable role in promoting environmentally friendly and sustainable plant protection.

Professor Shang also introduced major research techniques in mite studies, including morphological identification based on key characteristics such as legs, setae, and spiracles, as well as the application of molecular marker technologies for precise species identification and phylogenetic analysis. These approaches provide valuable methodological guidance for advancing research on agricultural mites.

During the discussion session, participants actively exchanged views and shared insights. Attendees noted that the lecture was rigorous, informative, and inspiring, further broadening their academic horizons and enhancing their understanding of interdisciplinary cooperation in plant protection.

Prof. Suqin Shang Delivers Academic Lecture on Agricultural Mites