Mite diversity and population dynamics of eriophyid mites on olive trees in Western Turkey

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the diversity of phytophagous mites and their predators in olive orchards in Balikesir, Izmir and Manisa Provinces, Turkey from 2015 to 2017. Also, the population density of eriophyid mites was detected in four olive orchards in Izmir and Manisa in 2016 and 2017. As a result, sixteen species were collected, namely, Aceria oleae (Nalepa, 1900), Tegolophus hassani (Keifer, 1959) (Eriophyidae), Cenopalpus lineola (Canestrini & Fanzago, 1876), Brevipalpus sp. (Tenuipalpidae), Amblyseius andersoni Chant, 1957, Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot, 1960), Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes, 1948, Paraseiulus talbii (Athias-Henriot, 1960), Typhlodromus athenas Swirski & Ragusa, 1976, Typhlodromus athiasae Porath & Swirski, 1965, Typhlodromus psyllakisi Swirski & Ragusa, 1976, Typhlodromus rarus Wainstein, 1961, Typhlodromus recki Wainstein, 1958 (Phytoseiidae), Raphignathus gracilis (Rack, 1962) (Raphignathidae), Agistemus duzgunesae Koc, Cobanoglu & Madanlar, 2005 (Stigmaeidae) and Tydeus californicus (Banks, 1904) (Tydeidae). Aceria oleae and T. hassani were found throughout the growing period from April to November in all orchards and they reached their highest population densities on buds during April, and leaves and fruit during May and June. Typhlodromus athenas was observed throughout the year in the majority of the orchards, and this is a first record of this species for the Turkish fauna. It was observed that A. duzgunesae also fed on eriophyid mites. Further studies are needed to investigate prey range of the predatory mites, T. athenas and A. duzgunesae and their potential as biological control agents of eriophyid mites.