The first report of Proctotydaeus schistocercae (Trombidiformes: Iolinidae), associated with desert locust in Iran

Several investigations was undertaken during 1999-2000 in south of Iran to collect mites associated with grasshoppers. Field collected grasshoppers were examined for the presence of mites on the body as well as thorax and wings. Mites were collected, cleared and mounted in Hoyer’s medium for study and the host grasshoppers identified. One species of Iolinid mites, Proctotydaeus schistocercae Fain & Evans, was collected from adults of desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal)(Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Ahvaz region, Khuzestan province. This is the first record of P.schistocercae in Iran, and is most probably the first report of this species associated with S.gregaria in the world.