TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - Food, pathogens, and vectors: Fungi in the ecology of Phytoseiid mites
VL  - 66
IS  - Suppl
SP  - 60
EP  - 60
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Rostislav, Zemek
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/wtyx-fybr
DO  - 10.24349/wtyx-fybr
DA  - 2026-07-20
ET  - 2026-07-20
KW  - Predatory mites
KW  - Micromycetes
KW  - Powdery mildew
KW  - Alternative food
KW  - Biological control
AB  - Mites of the family Phytoseiidae are important predators of small arthropods and nematodes and include many species widely used in biological control. Besides animal prey, many phytoseiid mites utilize alternative food resources that enable them to persist during periods of prey scarcity. While pollen has been extensively studied as a supplementary food, the role of microscopic fungi in phytoseiid trophic ecology has received little attention. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on interactions between phytoseiid mites and fungi, with emphasis on mycophagy, potential pathogen dispersal, and interactions with fungal biocontrol agents. Relevant studies addressing feeding on fungal spores, associations between phytoseiid mites and plant pathogenic fungi, and interactions with entomopathogenic or acaropathogenic fungi were compiled from the published literature. Evidence from laboratory experiments, behavioral observations, and field studies was evaluated to identify patterns in fungal utilization and potential ecological roles of fungi in phytoseiid mite biology. Available evidence indicates that some phytoseiid mites actively consume fungal spores. Laboratory studies demonstrate that species like Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) pyri or Amblyseius andersoni can survive and reproduce when fed exclusively on conidia of pathogens such as powdery or downy mildews, suggesting that fungal propagules may represent nutritionally adequate food. Field observations also report increased abundance of phytoseiid mites during outbreaks of foliar fungal diseases, supporting a possible trophic link. Predatory mites may additionally contribute to the dispersal of fungal propagules on plant surfaces, although direct evidence of dissemination of plant pathogenic fungi remains limited. Entomopathogenic and acaropathogenic fungi used in biological control may interact with predatory mites inhabiting the same microhabitats: some fungal strains are capable of infecting phytoseiid mites, while behavioral studies indicate that certain predatory mites can detect and avoid infectious propagules. These characteristics have enabled experimental use of phytoseiid mites as vectors for targeted dissemination of fungal biocontrol agents. Fungi may play multiple and largely underappreciated roles in the ecology of phytoseiid mites—as alternative food resources, pathogens, and dispersal partners. Recognizing these interactions expands the traditional view of phytoseiid feeding ecology and highlights the need for further research integrating microbial resources into studies of phyllosphere food webs and biological control systems.
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