Abstract
In order to estimate the composition of the mite taxa occurring in citrus, their seasonal and relative abundance, 25 monthly samplings were accomplished in an orange orchard in Nea Kios region, Argolis county, Greece, from June 2004 to June 2006. In the examined samples, mites from 19 taxa belonging to 10 families in 3 orders were identified. These included nine predatory species belonging to three families (Phytoseiidae, Cheyletidae, Bdellidae), four primarily fungivorous species in the family Tydeidae and Tarsonemidae, five phytophagous species belonging to two families (Tetranychidae, Eriophyidae), and one saprophagous taxon (Cryptostigmata). The only dominant and constant species was Tydeus californicus (Banks). Lorryia formosa Cooreman was recedent and constant, while Panonychus citri (McGregor), Pronematus sp., Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot), and Cryptostigmata were marked as recedent and accessory. All the other taxa were recedent and accidental. Population of T. californicus was in general higher in fall, winter, and early spring. A similar population fluctuation was observed in L. formosa, in relatively lower population density. Tetranychids had remarkable population densities from June 2004 to December 2004 and from February 2005 to May 2005. Phytoseiids were present in long intervals, while their population peaked in June 2004 and April 2005. The role of tydeids as a very convenient prey to conserve phytoseiid population, when primarily phytophagous mites are absent, is to be considered.