Phytophagous and Predatory Mites Inhabiting Citrus Trees in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt

Mites play an important role in citrus production whether as pests or beneficial predators. Based on published works, about 149 identified mite species representing 39 families were previously reported from citrus orchards in Egypt. Field surveys were conducted fortnightly from October 2014 to February 2016 in twenty-eight citrus orchards of eight districts in Assiut Governorate, Egypt to determine the species composition of phytophagous and predatory mites. Also, the incidence and distribution of the most important species were reported. Samples were taken from plant leaves, buds and fruits. The citrus brown mite, Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein, 1936) (Tetranychidae), the red and black flat mite, Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939) (Tenuipalpidae) and the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks, 1904) (Tarsonemidae) seemed to be the most common phytophagous species found in citrus orchards. Several predatory mite species of numerous families were also recorded, of these, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, 1962; Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) pyri Scheuten, 1857 (Phytoseiidae) and Agistemus exsertus González-Rodríguez, 1963 (Stigmaeidae) were found to be the most abundant predatory species inhabiting the leaves of mandarin, lime and orange, while Cheletogenes ornatus (Canestrini and Fanzago, 1876) and Hemicheyletia bakeri (Ehara, 1962) (Cheyletidae) were observed mostly on the fruits. Quantifying the presence of various predatory species inhabiting citrus trees will be an important step for pest mites control. In subsequent studies these predators can be used in biological control programs