Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in the northern coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the phytoseiid fauna in natural environments of the coastal plain of the northern coast of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The plants were sampled from locations within the counties of Tramandaí and Osório during the last month of each season. Three locations were chosen in the Tramandaí area: (A1)–sand dunes; (A2)–mangrove and (A3)–forest plantation; and one in Osório: (A4)–hill with ​​dense rainforest. A total of 561 specimens belonging to 29 species were collected. The preserved areas presented higher richness, given that the A4 area stood out as the richest, with 18 species, and A1 presented the lowest richness, with four species. The most abundant genus was Amblyseius, with five species, followed by Neoseiulus and Iphiseiodes, with three species. A redescription of Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) ornatus and a key for the species in this paper are provided.