Mites Predaceous on Pests of Agriculture

Abstract

Because of their small size and cryptic appearance, mites are difficult to detect and hence in most cases their role in nature is overlooked. The role of parasitic mites in reducing the population of honeybees (producer of honey) is well known. The role of predaceous mites particularly of family Phytoseiidae is also of great economic importance as regards management of spider mites on field crops and in fruit orchards. Associations of different mite species and their economic relevance on houseflies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers/locusts, scale insects, whiteflies, psylla, thrips, caddisflies, collembolans, cockroaches, bark beetles, stored grain beetles, moths and butterflies are discussed. Mite associations on snails and slugs, symphylans, nematodes and earthworms and their economic impact are also discussed. Predaceous mites belonging to mite families Acaridae, Acarophenacidae, Anystidae, Arrenuridae, Ascidae, Bdellidae, Cheyletidae, Cunaxidae, Limnesidae, Parasitidae, Pygmephoridae, Pterygosomatidae, Tarsonemidae and Uropodidae are reported associated with insect pests of agriculture in different habitats.