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Title: PHYTOSEIIDAE OF CENTRAL AMERICA (ACARI: MESOSTIGMATA)

Author
item DENMARK, H. - FLA.DEPT.AGRIC., FL
item EVANS, G. - UNIV. FL., GAINESVILLE
item AGUILAR, H. - UNIV. FLA., LAKE ALFRED
item VARGAS, C. - (CATIE), COSTA RICA
item Ochoa, Ronald - Ron

Submitted to: Indira Publishing House
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/29/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: There are many important microscopic pests that cause billions of dollars in damage each year, like mites, thrips and whiteflies. Phytoseiidae, or predatory mites, are important biological control agents. This study describes 40 new species of predatory mites collected from many of the important crops grown in Central America. Biological information and identification tools are presented as information resources for the implementation of control strategies against important agricultural pests in Central America. This research provides new information on the predatory mites of the tropics and will be important for identifiers, quarantine and biological control specialists, and crop protection programs.

Technical Abstract: Mites of the family Phytoseiidae from Central America (Belize, fomerly British Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama) were reported: Garman (1958) 1 species, Chant (1959) 8 species, Chant and Baker (1965) 40 species, De Leon (1966) 2 species, Denmark and Muma (1973) 2 species, Denmark and Muma (1978) 6 species, Denmark and Andrews (1981) 21 species, and McMurtry (1983) 22 species. Additional collections, including 40 new species, have been made by the last 4 coauthors from different countries in Central America. These collections total 140 species of phytoseiid mites collected from Central American area. Two new genera, Honduriella and Swirskiseius, and 40 new species are described. Three new combinations and one new synonym are proposed. New Central American distribution records are listed for 12 species previously reported from other geographical regions.