Abstract
Studies on mites are essential in managing agroecosystems. Although they serve as hosts, food for phytophagous mites, native plants can also harbour predatory mites and other natural enemies that regulate phytophagous populations. As such, this study aimed to assess the occurrence of mites on fourHancornia speciosavarieties. Collections were made at theex situgermplasm of the School of Agronomy, Federal University of Goias, in Goias State, Brazil. Thespeciosas.str.,cuyabensis, gardneriandpubescensmangabeira varieties were assessed, from January to December 2016. Two plants of each variety/block were randomly selected to assess the mites present. Thirty-six species were recorded, distributed into 25 genera and 12 families. Of the taxa sampled, 12 were identified up to species level. The families with the largest number of individuals were Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae, Ceratozetidae and Tenuipalpidae. While the highest number of mites was found on thepubescensvariety,gardnerihosted the largest abundance of predatory mites andpubescensthe greatest richness of this mite group. The mangabeira harbours phytophagous species with a potential threat to agriculture, such asTetranychus mexicanus, Brevipalpus yothersiandPolyphagotarsonemus latus