Vol. 18 No. 1
Diversity of mite fauna associated with agro-horticultural crops in West Bengal, India
Author(s): S. C. Bala and K. Karmakar
Abstract: A study was undertaken to understand the diversity of mite fauna associated with agro-horticultural crops in West Bengal in order to develop better and sound mite pest management strategy. A total of 24 species of phytoseiid mites were recorded belonging to the genera Amblyseius, Euseius, Paraphytoseius, Typhlodromips, Scapulaseius, Neoseiulus, Phytoseius, Asperoseius, Typhlodromus (Anthoseius), Indoseiulus and Phytoscutus. Among them Amblyseius largoensis was observed as predominant species followed by Typhlodromips syzygii occupied 20.87% and 16.26 % of total predatory mite population, respectively. The other predatory mites belonging to the family Tydeidae, Bdellidae, Ascidae, Cunaxidae, Cheyletidae and Stigmaeidae were also recorded. Concerning the phytophagous mites, Tetranychus urticae, Eutetranychus orientalis, Schizotetranychus baltazari, Schizotetranychus andropogoni, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Brevipalpus phoenicis, Aceria tulipae and Aceria guerreronis were recorded as destructive mite pests. Predatory mites were found effective against phytophagous mites and other soft-bodied insect and they could be utilized for biological control programme to minimize the use of chemical pesticides.