Agricultural Acarology

This two-week course concentrates on the Acari associated with agricultural systems, including both pests and beneficial mites. This includes extensive discussion and examination of Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Eriophyidae, Astigmata, and many other groups of plant-associated mites. The main emphasis will be on identification and systematics of both adults and immatures, but this course will have a strong secondary emphasis on management, collection and curation techniques, and mite life-history. After completion of the course, participants will be proficient in the identification of a broad diversity of agriculturally relevant mites.

This course involves long hours, often 9-10 hours per day, roughly 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
or later each day. Most days are spent listening to lectures and identifying mites through the microscope. Participants must be able to spend long hours looking through the microscope in order to get the most out of the workshop. All necessary materials will be supplied by the program.

• Experience Fayetteville
• Getting Here

Housing Information

Housing will be on campus, just a few minutes walk from the classroom located on the University of Arkansas campus in the Agricultural Building, in suite-style dormitory rooms with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a living room, washer and dryer, and kitchen. Each participant will have their own bedroom. The apartment complex has a community center including fitness equipment. Participants may find their own housing options but will be responsible for getting themselves to the program each day. Housing costs include linens. Meals are not covered in the costs and are the responsibility of each participant. The housing cost for the two-week Agricultural Acarology program is $900.

About the Series

In its 70th year (and third year at the University of Arkansas), the Acarology Summer Program will once again offer courses to teach researchers, technicians, and students from around the world how to recognize and identify mites. Instructors will be brought in to share their expertise in mite biology, collection, identification, and management using specimens from the University of Arkansas collections. Whether you're new to mites or hoping to expand your breadth of knowledge, come join the long legacy of acarologists that have attended the Acarology Summer Program.

Check out the first course of the series, Introduction to Acarology!

Prior Learning

This non-credit course is designed for professionals working with agriculturally important mites, including students, researchers, and those in the industry and government sectors. Prior experience identifying mites is recommended, although not required. To ensure success, students should:

• Be prepared to spend many hours seated at a microscope examining mites. No prior experience working with microscopes is required.
• Be comfortable reading and understanding English, as all materials are provided in English.
• Have basic computer skills, including navigating the internet, downloading/uploading files, and using applications like Word, Powerpoint, and Adobe Acrobat.

These foundational skills will help you engage fully with our primarily online courses.

Limited financial assistance may be available in the form of partial registration or housing waivers. Travel and per diem funds are not available. More details coming soon.

These workshops involve long hours, often 9-10 hours per day, most of it spent listening to lectures and identifying mites through the microscope. Participants must be able to spend long hours looking through the microscope in order to get the most out of the workshop.

Summer program t-shirts will be available for purchase during the course.