Present status of eriophyoid mites in Thailand

One of the common groups of phytophagous mites encountered on various plants in Thailand is that of the eriophyoid mites, which can be found on agricultural, horticultural, ornamental, and medicinal plants, including fruit and forest trees. Because there is a paucity of information on eriophyoid taxonomy in Thailand, where the host plants are so diverse, there is a need to investigate the presence of these tiny creatures – especially those species that can be harmful to economic crops. Here, the taxonomy of the eriophyoid mites in the collection of the first author was revised, together with the taxonomy of those reported by other researchers. To date, a total of 215 species of eriophyoid mites have been recorded from Thailand. The family Eriophyidae comprises 157 species, whereas only 58 species are reported in the family Diptilomiopidae. These mites are found on 161 plant species under 60 host plant families; they are relatively more numerous ( ＞ 10 species) on plants in the families Fabaceae, Poaceae, Moraceae, Sapindaceae, Rubiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Myrtaceae, and Euphorbiaceae. Fortunately, only a few species are considered to be pests of our economic crops. Eight new genera were assigned as new names for those mites previously identified by the first author and Professor Jan Boczek. Another 8 new genera and 10 new species were also added for unidentified eriophyoid mites in this collection where Diptilomiopus phylanthi (Chandrapatya, 1992), Liparus eugeniae Boczek, chonburi Chandrapatya, Konvipasruang & Amrine, 2016 for Aculops desmodii Chandrapatya & Boczek, 2000 preoccupied by Aculops desmodii (Keifer, 1964) and Diptilomiopus sakaena Chandrapatya, Konvipasruang & Amrine, 2016 for Diptilomiopus combretae (Chandrapatya & Boczek, 2002) preoccupied by Diptilomiopus combretae Wei & Lu, 2001. words: