Survey and biological studies on mite species and scale insects inhabiting mango trees at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.
Mohamed O. M. O., Nabil H. A.
Author Affiliation: Plant Protection Research Institute, Giza, Egypt.
Journal of Entomology 11 : 210-217
Abstract : Field studies were carried out on mite species and scale insects inhabiting mango trees at El-Khatara and Belbais districts, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt during the period extended from April 2010 to May 2012. Survey proved the occurrence of seventeen mite species belonging to four suborders, eleven families and twelve genera. These mites included five species of Phytoseiidae, three species of Tydeidae, one species belonging to each family of Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tarsonemidae, Cunaxidae, Stigmaeidae, Raphignathidae, Eupalopsellidae, Hemisarcoptidae and Haplozetidae. Two species of scale insects, Aulacaspis tubercularis (Newstead) and Kilifia acuminata (Signoret) were recorded. Phytoseiid, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, the stigmaeid Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez and the tydeid Tydeus kochi Oudemans were more abundant and inhabiting a wide range of host plants. Also, the eupalopsellid and hemisarcoptid mites were mainly founded associated with scale insects. The cunaxid mite, Cunaxa capreolus Berlese was usually found inhabiting mango trees in moderate numbers. Biological studies were carried out in plant protection research institute to determine the developmental duration of the cunaxid mite, Cunaxa capreolus Berlese when fed on different preys Eutetranychus orientalis, Tydeus kochi and Aulacaspis tubercularis at 30±2°C and 70±5% R.H. The predacious mite, C. capreolus was successfully developed from egg to adult stage during the experiment when fed on different preys.