First Record of Polyphagotarsonemus latus in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Several species of vegetables and fruits are attacked by many Tarsonemid mites. This includes the broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (Acari: Tarsonemidae). P. latus is widely distributed world-wide and has more than 60 host plants. In this study, it has been reported on peppers, Capsicum annuum L. (Solanaceae), for the first time in Saudi Arabia. This is the second record of P. latus from the Arabian Peninsula, after Oman. The mite population was recorded 6 times at 15 day intervals from September to the end of November on six leaves per plant, two each from the top level, middle level and bottom level selected at random. Therefore, more successvie research studies are needed for maganement and control of this pest.