Study on diversity and community structure of mite fauna associated with vegetable crops in West Bengal, India

Abstract

Aim: Methodology: Results: Interpretation: A study was carried out to understand the diversity and community structures of phytoseiid and phytophagous mite fauna associated with vegetable crops in West Bengal aiming for the development of better and ecologically sound mite pest management strategy. Mite samples were collected from different agro-climatic zones of West Bengal and the specimens were brought to the AINP on Agricultural Acarology laboratory, BCKV, Kalyani for mounting on glass slides using modified o Berlese’s medium. The slides were then kept on slide wormer at 35-40 C for 5-7 days to process for observation under a phase contrast microscope. A total of fifteen species of phytoseiid mites were recorded belonging to the genera Amblyseius, Euseius, Paraphytoseius, Typhlodromips, Scapulaseius, Neoseiulus, Phytoseius, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) and Indoseiulus. Amblyseius largoensis was observed as predominant mite species followed by Typhlodromips syzygii occupied 19.71 and 15.05 % of total predatory mite population, respectively. The other predatory mites belonging to the family Tydeidae, Bdellidae, Ascidae, Cunaxidae, Cheyletidae and Stigmaeidae were also recorded during the period of investigation. Predatory mites were observed to predate upon different stages of phytophagous mites, mealy bugs and pupae of whitefly. Concerning the phytophagous mites, Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus ludeni, Schizotetranychus baltazari, Eutetranychus orientalis, Oligonychus andropogoni, Polyphagotarsonemus latus and Brevipalpus phoenicis were found as destructive mite pests in vegetables. Phytophagous mite is a serious concern for successful vegetables cultivation in West Bengal. Predatory mites were found effective against phytophagous mites and other soft bodied insect and they could be utilized for biological control programme to minimize the use of chemical pesticides.