Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) on wild and cultivated plants in Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract The Phytoseiidae family is considered the most important group of predatory mites, widely and effectively used in the biological control of pest mites and small insects, particularly thrips and whiteflies. This study aims to present the results of a survey of Phytoseiidae mites on wild and cultivated plants in the Espírito Santo State, Brazil. Twenty-four species across 11 genera from the three phytoseiid subfamilies were identified. The genus Amblyseius Berlese was the most diverse, comprising ten species, while Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma was the most common species, found on seven different plant species. Thirteen phytoseiid species and two genera (Phytoseiulus and Transeius) are reported here for the first time in this state.

Keywords

• Atlantic Forest
• Biodiversity
• Predator
• Survey