Occurrence of phytophagous and predacious mites in two fig cultivars with population dynamics of the most abundant species in relation to weather factors and plant phenology at Sohag governorate, Egypt

A survey and ecological studies were carried out on mite species inhabiting fig, Ficus carica L. (Moraceae), an important fruit crop in Egypt, at Sohag governorate during 2020–2021. The occurrence of species inhabiting leaves, debris and soil of “Sultani” and “Condria” fig cultivars were considered. Results revealed the occurrence of 51 mite species. Nine phytophagous mite species presented nine genera and five families (i.e., Diptilomiopidae, Eriophyidae, Tarsonemidae, Tenuipalpidae and Tetranychidae). Thirty-one species of predaceous mites (25 genera, 13 families) and 11 species (10 genera and 8 families) miscellaneous-feeding habits were recorded. Population dynamics of Tetranychus urticae Koch, Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot), Tydeus oregonensis Baker, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez and Aceria ficus (Cotté) were found to be affected by both weather factors and plant phenology. Tetranychus urticae had two peaks in mid-Jul. and early Oct. on “Sultani” and “Condria” cultivars during the two successive years. The fig bud mite, A. ficus was recorded with a high numbers in Jun. on both cultivars. Predacious mites were found to be in relation to occurring phytophagous ones. The population dynamics of phytophagous mites with the relation of temperature, relative humidity and plant age (i.e., plant phenology to emulating plant nutritional value dynamic) were fitted to a polynomial model including weather factors and plant age as third degree of polynomial over two intervals presenting two phonological intervals of plant growth pattern. Results indicated that the change in the nutritional value of the host plant was more effective on mite population dynamics than weather factors.