Abstract

Surveys were conducted to assess Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesositgmata) diversity in various habitats and ecosystems (including natural and agricultural areas) since 2008 in Turkey. This paper aims to provide a review of the Turkish species belonging to genus Amblyseius Berlese (Acari: Phytoseiidae) based on materials collected during these surveys as well as previous records. As a result, A. nemorivagus Athias-Henriot was found for the first time for Turkish fauna. In addition, unknown male of A. bryophilus Karg is described and illustrated. A revised identification key is provided for the 13 Amblyseius species found in Turkey. Validity of some previous Turkish records, and identity of A. meridionalis Berlese, are discussed. There are series of discrete species reported under the name A. meridionalis, none of them truly match with the original description in terms of shape of ventrianal shield. Our results indicated that A. kadzhajai Gomelauri, A. meridionalis, A. nemorivagus and A. obtusus (Koch) sensu Karg, were found only on moss. Amblyseius andersoni (Chant), A. herbicolus (Chant) and A. swirskii Athias-Henriot are common in agricultural ecosystems or higher plants. According to results, there is a different geographic distribution between these three species; A. swirskii is reported only from east Mediterranean, while A. herbicolus only from North-East (Black Sea region), A. andersoni is common in western Turkey. Only a few specimens of Amblyseius adjaricus Wainstein & Vartapetov and A. bryophilus were collected, from cultivated plants from Black Sea region. Therefore, potential of Turkish populations of these five species and their using possibilities in biological control are warranted in Turkey.