A SURVEY ON THE DIVERSITY OF MITES INHABITING THE ORNAMENTAL AND FRUIT PLANTS IN SOUTH BENGAL, INDIA

Mites are akin to spiders and most of them are inhabitant of plants. Phytophagous mites cause depletion in quality and quantity of ornamental and floricultural as well as fruit plants and thus causing substantial economic loss to the farmers and growers. Besides these, there are also some predatory mites which contribute actively in the biological pest control. Though some stray works have been done on ornamental and fruit plant mites, a consolidated record is so far unavailable. So the present study was undertaken to prepare a consolidated list of ornamental and fruit plant mites, their host, nature of damage, etc. The present study reports mites occurring on floricultural and fruit trees in 9 districts of South Bengal and the study period was 2009-2013. Among these mites, 6 species were found as major pests and those were Tetranychus urticae on rose, marigold and tuberose, Oligonychus biharensis on temple tree, Brevipalpus karachiensis on chrysanthemum, Brevipalpus phoenicis on temple tree, Polyphagotarsonemus latus on marigold, and Aceria jasminii on jasmine. 6 species appeared to be major predatory mites which could be used effectively in biological control of pests and those were Amblyseius largoensis, Amblyseius herbicolus, Paraphytoseius multidentatus etc. Among the fruit tree mites, mention may be made of Eutetranychus orientalis, Oligonychus mangiferus, Panonychus citri, Raoiella indica, Dolichotetranychus floridanus, Aceria mangiferae,, etc. as major phytophagous mites and Neoseiulus longispinosus, Euseius coccineae, Euseius ovalis, Cunaxa setirostris,, etc. as major predatory mites.