Phytoseiidae (Acari: Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) associados a ambientes naturais na Amazônia Central

Abstract

The Amazon Forest is the largest Brazilian biome, occupying almost half of the country's territory. Despite its size and great diversity of environments in this biome, few studies have been conducted to investigate the diversity of mites in the Phytoseiidae family. Phytoseiid mites had received great attention due to their predatory habits and potential role as natural enemies of small insects and mites. Several species were shown to be useful in the biological control of phytophagous pests, being used commercially in several countries, including Brazil. Considering this, the objective of this study was to know the diversity of species of Phytoseiidae associated with plants in natural environments of Central Amazon. Samplings were carried out in eight areas, in the municipalities of Itacoatiara (two areas), Itapiranga (one area), Manaus (one area), Parintins (one area), São Sebastião do Uatumã (one area), and Silves (two areas). Were collected leaves, branches, flowers, and fruits of 83 plant species. A total of 62 phytoseiid species of 21 genera of all three subfamilies (Amblyseiinae, Phytoseiinae and Typhlodrominae) were recorded. The phytoseiid species recorded on the largest number of plants were Amblyseius aff. operculatus, Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark and Muma, Leonseius regularis (De Leon), A. aerialis (Muma) and A. martus De Leon. Studies of this nature need to be carried out, as they contribute significantly to science, in terms of providing information on new morphological patterns, description and redescription of mite species of the Phytoseiidae family, as is the case of a new species of Phytoseius Ribaga. This species belongs to the purseglovei species group, however, this group is needs to be redefined in order to accommodate this new species; an identification key for all species of this group is presented. Thus, the development of this study expands the knowledge about the mites of this family for the Amazonas state. Native plants from the Amazon can harbor a considerable richness of Phytoseiidae species. New fauna surveys must be carried out to increase knowledge about a mite fauna in the still little studied Amazon biome.