شناسایی کنه‌های مهم شکارگر شته‌های مرکبات و بررسی تغییرات فصلی جمعیت آنها در غرب استان مازندران

Aphids are important citrus pests in north of Iran which cause severe damage to the plants by feeding plant sap, secretion of aphid honeydew, transmission of pathogenic viruses and etc. every year. Extensive applications of broad spectrum insecticides were done against the pests in the region every year. Mites are important predators of citrus pests in north of Iran. For identification of predatory mites of citrus aphids and study of their seasonal population dynamics, samplings were bi-weekly done from Satsuma mandarin orchards of Ramsar district, Mazandaran province, during 2016-2017. One citrus orchard with 20 hectare area was used for this trial. Identified predatory mite fed on citrus aphids were Allothrombium pulvinum Ewing (Acari: Trombidiidae) and Odontoscirus iraniensis Ueckermann (Acari: Bdellidae). Results showed that nymphs and adults of the mite fed on citrus aphids. In both years, A. pulvinum activity was began from mid June, peaked at early July and disappeared at mid July. First observation of O. iraniensis was done at mid May. Population peak of the mite was during early to end June and the predator disappeared at early July. Density increase trend in second year was slower than first year. The two species were firstly reported as predators of citrus pests in west of Mazandaran. Totally, seasonal population dynamics of the predators were affected by prey population, weather conditions and each mite showed different population fluctuations. Results of this study can be used for developing integrated pest management program, especially biological control, of citrus pests in the region.