Diversity and abundance of phytoseiid mites in natural vegetation in the vicinity of apple orchards in Japan

Abstract

Mite species of the family Phytoseiidae, which includes some important natural enemies of spider mites and insect pests, found on wild plants in the vicinity of apple orchards in north Japan, were studied during 2001 to 2006. Euseius finlandicus, Typhlodromus vulgaris, and Amblyseius orientalis were recognized as the dominant species of phytoseiid mites in natural vegetation. Of 18 plant species, 5 hosted an abundant number of phytoseiid mites. Especially on Viburnum dilatatum and Morus australis, the density of phytoseiid mites on leaves was low in spring and increased gradually until autumn. When we used a “Phyto trap” as a tool to collect phytoseiid mites walking on branches, the density on V. dilatatum was high in spring and low in autumn. Phytoseiid mites in traps on M. australis had 2 peaks of occurrence, in spring and autumn. Transeius fulvus was not collected from leaves but from traps, and E. finlandicus was not collected from traps but from leaves.