| Faunistic survey of mites associated with date palm trees in Bam |
| Paper ID : 1089-IPCA5 (R3) |
| Authors |
|
Azadeh Azari1, Mahdiyeh Asadi *, Mosayeb Mahdavi2, Hossein Arabpour1 1Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran 2Plant Protection Research Department, Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Kerman, Iran |
| Abstract |
| Mites (Acari), among the most diverse arthropod groups, inhabit nearly all ecosystems and play crucial roles as plant feeders, predators, and parasites. The suborder Prostigmata, particularly families such as Tetranychidae and Tenuipalpidae, includes serious agricultural pests of date palms. These mites can damage both leaves and fruits, reducing yield and market value. This study, conducted between 2018 and 2019, focused on investigating the mite fauna of date palm orchards in the Bam region of southeastern Iran. A total of 15 species from 15 genera across 9 families—including Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Anystidae, Bdellidae, Cheyletidae, Caligonellidae, Camerobiidae, Stigmaeidae, and Phytoseiidae—were collected and identified. The findings highlight the significant biodiversity of mites in these orchards and offer valuable insights for pest management and agricultural protection strategies. In total, 10 phytophagous and 5 predatory mite species were recorded. The most widespread species were Tenuipalpus eriophyoides and Oligonychus afrasiaticus. Phytoseiidae mites also showed wide distribution. Interestingly, orchards with previous chemical control showed high mite densities but reduced diversity—highlighting the impact of pesticide use on biodiversity and the importance of sustainable pest management. Mites (Acari), among the most diverse arthropod groups, inhabit nearly all ecosystems and play crucial roles as plant feeders, predators, and parasites. The suborder Prostigmata, particularly families such as Tetranychidae and Tenuipalpidae, includes serious agricultural pests of date palms. These mites can damage both leaves and fruits, reducing yield and market value. This study, conducted between 2018 and 2019, focused on investigating the mite fauna of date palm orchards in the Bam region of southeastern Iran. A total of 15 species from 15 genera across 9 families—including Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Anystidae, Bdellidae, Cheyletidae, Caligonellidae, Camerobiidae, Stigmaeidae, and Phytoseiidae—were collected and identified. The findings highlight the significant biodiversity of mites in these orchards and offer valuable insights for pest management and agricultural protection strategies. In total, 10 phytophagous and 5 predatory mite species were recorded. The most widespread species were Tenuipalpus eriophyoides and Oligonychus afrasiaticus. Phytoseiidae mites also showed wide distribution. Interestingly, orchards with previous chemical control showed high mite densities but reduced diversity—highlighting the impact of pesticide use on biodiversity and the importance of sustainable pest management. |
| Keywords |
| Fauna, Phytophagous mites, Predatory mites, Bam, Date Palm |
| Status: Abstract Accepted |
