SURVEY OF PHYTOSEIID MITE SPECIES (ACARI: PHYTOSEIIDAE) IN CITRUS ORCHARDS IN LATTAKIA GOVERNORATE, SYRIA

The present study aimed to identify predatory mite species of the family Phytoseiidae on citrus trees and common wild plants species within or around citrus orchards. Surveys were carried out in fifty orchards in seven different sites in Lattakia governorate (the main citrus growing region of Syria). Fifteen phytoseiid species belonging to ten genera were found, among which fourteen are recorded for the first time from Syria. Euseius stipulatus was the most abundant on citrus trees, followed by Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) athiasae and Amblyseius andersoni. In this study, one female of the species Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) thesbites is rediscovered and illustrated. Information concerning locations, host plants, number of specimens, and measurements of morphological characteristics of each species collected are provided.