Abstract
This study was conducted in Aydin, Turkey to determine mite species composition, their population densities in unsprayed chestnut orchards. Weekly samples were taken between April and November in 2015 and 2016 in Kosk, Nazilli and Sultanhisar districts of Aydin. As a result, six mite species belonging to two orders and five families were identified. The mite species found were Rhyncaphytoptus castaneae and Oligonychus coffeae as plant feeders, Euseius finlandicus, Typhlodromus psyllakisi and Anystis baccarum as predators, and Tydeus caudatus as a scavenger. Rhyncaphytoptus castaneae and O. coffeae are new records for Turkish fauna. Castanea sativa is recorded as a new host plant for O. coffeae. The population of R. castaneae peaked in June, July and October. Oligonychus coffeae and the predatory mite, E. finlandicus, appeared throughout the growing periods of chestnut and their population peaked in August. The occurrence of E. finlandicus was highly correlated with the presence of O. coffeae in all orchards, whereas E. finlandicus was not correlated with the presence of R. castaneae according to Sorensons coefficient.