MITE FAUNA ASSOCIATED WITH DATE PALM (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.) AT BEHEIRA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

El-Nasharty, Hend A.-A.; Abd-Elmonem, Hend M.; Salama, Mohamed G.

doi:10.21608/ejz.2025.344925.1126

MITE FAUNA ASSOCIATED WITH DATE PALM (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.) AT BEHEIRA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Document Type : Short Communications

Authors

¹ Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Sharqia, Egypt

² Pest Physiology Department, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt

10.21608/ejz.2025.344925.1126

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the mite species occurring on date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. in Beheira governorate, Egypt, during the years 2022 and 2023. The results revealed the presence of two phytophagous, five predaceous, and two miscellaneous feeding habit mite species, on date palm trees. The dominance and frequency occurrence of the surveyed species were discussed. The tetranychid species Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) was found to be the most abundant phytophagous mite on this economic crop. Phytoseiid species formed the majority of predaceous mites inhabiting date palm trees, with Typhlodromips swirskii Athias-Henriot and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot appeared being the widest spread predatory mite species. On defected dry fruits of date palm fallen under trees, the dominant mite species were Tyrophagous putrescentiae Schrank and Caloglyphus berlesi Michael, along with five predatory mite species, where the ascid species Lasioseius bispinosus Evans was the dominant one. These findings may provide useful information for the management program of acarine pests affecting the date palm.

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