The Tetranychoidea, Tarsonemidae and Tydeoidea mite complex on Florida citrus between 1954 and 2014: Pests or Beneficials?

A survey of the mite fauna on citrus was conducted in 542 dooryard trees in the following counties: Dade (24), Broward (127), Palm Beach (68), Martin (35), St. Lucie (20), Indian River (11), Collier (23), Lee (37), Charlotte (20), Sarasota (67), Manatee (18), Pinellas (59), Polk (32), and Highlands (1) to update our knowledge of the mite complex on Florida citrus. We also sampled 25 varietal citrus trees at two research centers in Polk and Dade Counties. A third block of ‘Tahiti’ lime trees was sampled at the Tropical Research & Education Center in Dade County. At least 787 commercial citrus trees were also sampled in Florida between 2009 and 2014. Here we report the frequency and occurrence of the Tetranychoidea, Tarsonemidae and Tydeoidea on those trees. Previous field studies of the Tarsonemidae and Tydeoidea on citrus in Florida between 1993-2003, a horticultural mineral oil (HMO) field study during 1994–1996 and M. H. Muma from 1961-1975 are included for comparison. Eutetranychus species near orientalis was collected from a lemon tree in Broward County. This is a new record of this species on Florida citrus. Additional new records of mites on Florida citrus include Tarsonemidae: Fungitarsonemus setillus Sousa et al, Tarsonemus confusus Ewing, and Tarsonemus waitei Banks; Tydeoidea: (Iolinidae)- Parapronematus n sp, Neopronematus n sp; (Triophtydeidae): Triophtydeus immanis Kuznetzov, T. n sp; (Tydeidae): Afrotydeus n sp, Brachytydeus sp near australiensis, B. n sp, Pretydeus sp near reticulatus, and Tydeus sp near munsteri. Seven species of tarsonemids were collected from dooryard and varietal block citrus during the 2009-2014 survey compared with one species from commercial citrus trees. A total of 27 species of Tarsonemidae were collected from citrus in Florida between 1954 and 2014. Thirteen species of Tydeoidea were collected from dooryard and varietal block citrus trees during the 2009-2014 survey compared with 4 species from commercial citrus trees. A total of 31 species of Tydeoidea were collected from citrus in Florida between 1961-2014. The roles that different species of tarsonemid and tydeoid mites have as plant feeders, fungivores, mycophages, or predators of one or more phytophagous mites are discussed.