Diversity and Spatial Distribution of Predatory Mites with special Reference to Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Rao K. Sankara*, Vishnupriya R., Ramaraju K. Department of Agricultural Entomology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003 (T.N.) *ksankararao0987@gmail.com
Online published on 20 July, 2019. Abstract The present study was conducted to document the predatory mites associated with different crops in Coimbatore region of Tamil Nadu and to know the spatial distribution of selected predatory mite, Neoseiulus longispinous on the okra plant. In the survey, a total of 10 species belonging to nine genera were recorded. The predatory mite families recorded were Acaridae, Cunaxidae, Eupodidae, Phytoseiidae, Stigmaeidae and Tydeidae. The predatory mite, N. longispinosus count data on okra leaves followed the negative binomial (aggregated) distribution pattern. In addition to this, the estimated dispersion indices revealed the preference of predator to inhabit the top leaves of the plant. These results could be useful to expand the knowledge on the diversity and spatial distribution pattern of predatory mites. Top Keywords Diversity, Neoseiulus longispinous, Predatory mites, Spatial distribution. Top |