Tetranychoid mites (Prostigmata: Tetranychoidea) associated with forest trees and bushes in suburb parks in Mashhad, NE Iran

A detailed knowledge of species diversity of pests of each host plant and the seasonal occurrence of them is essential for an integrated pest management program. To provide such basic information, a two-year survey was conducted for the first time on injurious mites associated with coniferous and broad leaf trees and shrubs in forest parks in and surrounding of Mashhad. As a result, 14 mite species belonging to families Tetranychidae and Tenuipalpidae were collected and determined. Among them,9 species are reported for the first time from Razavi Khorasan province including 3 new records for Iranian fauna. The species, Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi) and Tetranychus turkestani (U.& N.) were found in higher numbers and had more hosts. This article presents information on morphological characteristics as well as habits of collected mites on some common trees and bushes in woodland areas in suburbs of Mashhad city.