Survey of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) found in two citrus orchards and their associated vegetation in Tucumán, Argentina

Abstract

The Phytoseiidae family is among the predatory mites, one of the most economically important families because many of their species feed on insects and mites pests. In Argentina, phytoseid surveys were carried out in citrus
orchards of the NOA and NEA regions, however the latest records are from 2008. Therefore, the objective of this work is to update the diversity of phytoseiid mites in citrus plantations and their respective surrounding vegetation in the locality of El Manantial and Famaillá, Tucumán. The study was carried out in experimental plots of both localities implanted with lemon, orange, mandarin and grapefruit. Samples of leaves, flowers and fruits of the citrus fruits and vegetation associated were extracted. In citrus, Euseius concordis and Amblyseuis herbicolus, previously mentioned, were identified. However, the registration of new species is widened: Euseius fructicolus, Galendromus annectens, Typhlodromalus peregrinus, Neoseiulus tunus, Graminaseius gr. esp. bufortus, Metaseiulus (Metaseiulus) gr. esp.
cornus and Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) transvaalensis. In the spontaneous vegetation were identified A. herbicolus, E. concordis, Phytoseiulus longipes and Typhlodromalus peregrinus already registered previously. Graminaseius gr.esp bufortus and Typhlodromips gr. esp. lugubris are mentioned for the first time. Typhlodromips gr. esp. lugubris was the only one detected exclusively on this type of vegetation.