Biodiversity and Seasonal abundance of Mites Associated with Two Varieties of Date Palm in Giza and Sohag Governorates, Egypt

Abstract

A large number of mites are known associated with different varieties of date palm throughout the world. Their distributional pattern is, however not constant everywhere, which varies according to climatic factors. These mite species could be either Phytophagous, Parasitic, Predators, Phoresy in addition to Suprophagous and Fungivorous species'. In this study 37 mite species representing 31 genera, 17 families, three Sub-orders, Actinedida; Gamasida and Acaridida were recorded. These mite species were classified according to their feeding habits into four categories; plant feeders of both leaves and fruits, parasitic and predaceous that play role as bioconirol agents of different insect and mite pests and fungivorous as well as those of uncertain feeding behavior. The population fluctuation of the phytophagous mites; Eutetranychus orientalis; Oligonychus afrasiaticus (Tetranychidae); Raoiella indica; Phyllotetranychus aegyptiacas Sayed (Tenuipalpidae) on Sewi variety was higher than on Zaghlol variety as well as in Giza than in Sohag during the two seasons, 2010-and 2011. The population of predaceous and parasitic mites associated with different pests infesting date palm increased as well as the population of pests increased. Therefore, the biocontrol agents suppress the populations of different pests in both varieties of date palm in the two localities.