Diversity and dynamics of populations of mites in nectarine trees (Prunus persica var. nucipersica) (Rosaceae)

Abstract

The international literature does not provide much information about the incidence of species of mites in nectarine cultivars. The purpose of the present study was to determine diversity and dynamics of populations of mites and their interactions in different nectarine cultivars in the southwestern region of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. These mites were split into 15 families, 22 genders and 28 species. <em>Aculus fockeui </em>(Nalepa &amp; Trouessant) (Eriophyidae) was the most abundant species, with 90.2 % of the mites collected. The populations of <em>A. fockeui</em> displayed specific periods with greater number of individuals. Phytoseiidae showed the highest richness of species. <em>Ricoseius loxocheles</em> (De Leon) and <em>Euseius ho</em> (De Leon) were the most abundant predators. <em>Euseius ho </em>population showed a positive correlation with rainfall.