ECOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON SOME MITES WHICH INFESTED DATE PALM AND THEIR CONTROL

Abstract

1- During the survey stud y, 28 species and 25 genera of mites belonging to 14 families were collected from date palm trees at different governorates of lower and upper Egypt .

2- The mites are classified according to their habits into three categories :

(a)- The phytophagous mites were: Oligonychus afrasiaticus McGregor, Eutetranychus orientalis (Kleiri) (Tetranychidae), Phyllotetranychus aegypticus Sayed, . Raoiella indica Hirst., Brevipalpus phoenicis, (Fenuipalpidea), Mackie/la phoenicis Keifer and Retracrus johnstoni Keifer (Eriophyidae).

(b)- The predaceous mites were: Phytoseius plumifer, Amblyseius swirskii (A-H), Amblyseius cydnodactylon Shehata and Zaher (Phytoseiidae), Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez (stigmaeidae), Saniosulus nudus (Eupa1opsellidae) and Cheletogenes ornatus Summers (Cheyletidae) and Hemisarcoptes malus Shimer (Hemisarcoptidae).

(c)- Mites of uncertain feeding habits were: Tarsonemus stifer Ewing, Tarsonemus smithi Ewing, Tarsonemus noxius Humic. (Tarsonemidae), Tydeus californicus (Banks),

Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor) (Tydeidae), Tyrophagous putrescentiae McGregor, Calogylyphus redikorzevi (Zach), Rhizoglyphus robini Claparede (Acaridae), Heterodispus elongatus Jac. (Scutacaridae),