Phytoseiidae mites (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) associated with native plants from the Caatinga biome, Pernambuco, Brazil

Phytoseiid mites play a key role in regulating mites and small phytophagous insects and are often employed in agricultural systems for biological pest control. Studying the phytoseiid fauna in different ecoregions facilitates the discovery of new biological control agents adapted to local conditions, contributing both to the improvement of control programs and conservation of the natural vegetation that hosts this fauna.

The aim of this work was to carry out a survey of phytoseiids and describe a new species for the family in areas of the Caatinga biome in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Sampling was carried out in three areas in the municipalities of Bonito, Caruaru and São Caetano, including a total of 47 botanical species. A total of 1,044 adult specimens (females and males) were collected, belonging to 37 species from 17 genera.

Amblyseiinae was the subfamily with the highest number of species reported (26), followed by Typhlodrominae (6) and Phytoseiinae (5). The species Amblyseius operculatus De Leon, Euseius mesembrinus (Dean), Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma, Phytoseius woodburyi De Leon and Galendromus (Mugidromus) agreste Silva, Gondim Jr. & Demite were the most abundant. The highest phytoseiid species richness was observed on Guazuma ulmifolia (Malvaceae), Piper sp.

(Piperaceae), Swartzia sp. (Fabaceae), and Trema micrantha (Cannabaceae). The diversity of phytoseiids in the Caatinga biome is high, and their association with native plants may indicate that these plants may serve as important reservoirs.

This information can be used to improve future integrated pest management programs. A new species, Metaseiulus (Metaseiulus) fungicolus sp. nov., is described and illustrated, based on adult females.