Diversity of phytophagous and predatory mites in vegetable crops in Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

The surveys carried out in different vegetable growing areas of Himachal Pradesh yielded 25 species of mites belonging to 9 genera under 5 families. Among all, 5 species were phytophagous, 19 were predatory mites and 1 species was of saprophagous mite. On capsicum, a predatory mite of the family Anystidae was recorded for the first time from the state. During the study, majority of predatory mites were recorded on cucumber and brinjal than other vegetables. Four species are the new reports from Himachal Pradesh.