Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Apulia (Southern Italy), with a key to the species reported from Italy

ABSTRACT

The objective of this paper is to provide a taxonomic appraisal of the phytoseiids mainly from Apulia, Italy, through the examination of 1055 specimens collected in the areas of that district. Reports of occasional collection in Basilicata and Molise areas are also listed (16 specimens). The mite specimens were collected on the main cultivated and ornamental plants, and on spontaneous plants as well. Complementing the morphological characterization of the species collected is provided. This is the first wide report survey on the phytoseiid fauna in Apulian territories. This study reports on nine new records of Phytoseiidae for Apulia region (Southern Italy). Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) exhilaratus Ragusa was the most frequent or abundants species sampled. Also, some other species, i.e. Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, were collected and are potential taxa for biocontrol. In addition, a dichotomous key to separate phytoseiid mite species listed from Italy was provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Predatory mites
• global diversity
• complementary descriptions
• alpha-taxonomy
• biological control agents

Acknowledgements

Thanks are to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) that providing a scholarship for research under academic supervision to support the senior author. Thanks are to the Dipartimento di Scienze del Suolo, della Pianta e degli Alimenti (Di.S.S.P.A.), Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy to which the junior author is belong to, for hosting and offering facilities to finish the current project. Thanks also are to Dr. Haralabos Tsolakis (Università di Palermo, Italy) for revision the early version of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).