Advances in the understanding of phytoseiid mites genera (Acari: Phytoseiidae) present in citrus plantations Tucuman, Argentina

Abstract

The Phytoseiidae is within predatory mites the family most studied and many of its species are used as biological control agents of insect and mite pests. Previous studies report the presence of Amblyseius hibisci (Ch.), Thyphloseiopsis arboreus (Ch.), Phytoseiulus macropilis (B.) and Euseius concordis (Ch.) in citrus regions of the Northwest (NOA) and Northeastern (NEA) of Argentina. However, there is no recent information on the species
present in citrus plantations from NOA. The aim of this study was to update the diversity of phytoseiid mites in plantations of grapefruit, orange, tangerine, lemon and the spontaneous vegetation associated to them in the province
of Tucuman, Northwest Argentina. The following genera were identified: in grapefruit, Euseius W., Amblyseius B. and Galendromus M.; orange, Euseius W.; in Mandarin, Euseius W., Amblyseius B. and Tryphlodromalus M.; in lemon, Euseius W., Amblyseius B. and Phytoseiulus E. while in the spontaneous vegetation the genera Neoseiulus H., Euseius W., Amblyseius B., Typhlodromalus M. and Graminaseius Ch. y Mc M. were found. The most representative genus in all citrus species sampled was Euseius. Results show an increase in the diversity of the Phytoseiidae family genera present in the citrus agricultural system of the province of Tucuman compared to what has been reported by other authors. This information is relevant for the development of biological control programs of phytophagous mites in citrus crops in the region.