Biodiversity of Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) in Sistan region, Iran

Mites of the family Phytoseiidae are all predatory species on phytophagous mites and small insects like thrips and whiteflies, on commercial plants and the wild vegetation. Several species are biological control agents for the control of pests in both open and protected crops all around the world. In 2019, biodiversity of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) were studied in the Sistan region, north of Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Iran. Samples were collected randomly in different seasons and in equal samples and distances from grape and tamarix trees from three cities of Zahak, Jazinak and Nimrooz. In this research, eight species belonging to four genera were collected and identified. Among them one species was introduced for the first time in the world and eight species were identified as the new records for mite fauna in Sistan and Baluchistan Province. Biodiversity indexes based on species richness were calculated using standard formulas and Ecological Methodology software. Data processing was performed using SAS software. The results of the study showed that in vineyard Neoseiulus barkeri (36%), Neoseiulus paspalivorua (17%) and Amblyseius rademacheri (16%), were the most abundant species, respectively. Paragigagnathus sistaniensis was the most aboundant species (77%) on tamarix trees. The analysis of variance indicated that the both factors of season and the interaction between season and habitat did not differ significantly, but the diversity indices of the two habitats (grape and tamarix) showed a significant difference. Accordingly, the vineyards had the highest species richness of Margalef (0.95) and Shannon-Wiener’s (1.70) .