Diversity of mite fauna associated with agro-horticultural crops in Bihar, India

Abstract

A total of twenty species of predatory mite belonging to thirteen genera like Amblyseius, Euseius, Typhlodromips, Scapulaseius, Neoseiulus, Phytoseius, Typhlodromus, Lasioseius and Agistemus were recorded. The predatory mite, Amblyseius largoensis was found as most predominant species occupied 43.41% of total population followed by Typhlodromips syzygii, Lasioseius parberlesei, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) spp., Phytoseius jujuba and Neoseiulus longispinosus enumerated 16.48, 6.43, 5.95, 4.68 and 4.19% of total predatory mite population in surveyed areas, respectively. Some other predatory mites belonging to the families like Tydeidae, Bdellidae, Ascidae, Cunaxidae, Stigmaeidae and Cheyletidae under the order Prostigmata were also recorded during the period of investigation. Moreover, six major phytophagous mite viz., Tetranychus urticae, Eutetranychus orientalis, Oligonychus litchi, Oligonychus mangiferous and Schizotetranychus baltazari belonging to the family Tetranychidae and Polyphagotarsonemus latus under the family Tarsonemidae were documented and considered as key mite pest. The predatory mites were found effective against phytophagous mites and other soft bodied insect pests. However, Amblyseius largoensis, Amblyseius brachycalyx, Euseius ovalis, Euseius alstoniae, Euseius sajnekhalicus, Typhlodromips syzygii, Neoseiulus longispinosus, Neoseiulus imbricatus, Scapulaseius moraesi, Phytoseius jujuba, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) sp., Lasioseius parberlesei, Agistemus industani, Tydeus spp., Bdelloides spp. and Cunaxa spp. were found preying on Tetranychus urticae, Eutetranychus orientalis, Schizotetranychus baltazari, Oligonychus litchi, Oligonychus mangiferous, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Brevipalpus phoenicis, Eriophyidae, mealy bug and pupae of whitefly.