although may not be considered as an effective biocontrol agent, more evaluation in
distributed regions would clear its role in control of mentioned pests.
3.2.1.2 Parasitidae
Thirty five genera and approximately 430 species of the Parasitidae are free-living
predators mostly on the ground, feeding on small arthropods and nematodes
(Lindquist et al. 2009). The genus Pergamasus prey actively upon Tyrophagus
mites (Acaridae) and springtails in soil habitats. Some Parasitus spp. (e.g. P.
bituberosus Karg, P. coleoptratorum L., P. gregarious Ito) are listed as natural
enemies of Rhizoglyphus robini Claparédè (Bulb mite) in soil and, early instars of
cecidomyiid and sciarid larvae in cultivated mushroom (Gerson et al. 2003; Castilho
et al. 2015). Several authors (e.g. Brown and Wilson 1992; Schwarz and Muller
1992; Gasperin and Kilner 2015) have repeatedly studied dynamics of symbiotic
relationships between carrion-feeding burying beetles of the genus Necrophorus
(Silphidae) and mites of the Poecilochirus spp. Typically, beetles carry mite
deutonymphs to the food resource (carrion) in order to mite feeding on nematodes
and fly larvae that are rivals of the beetles. This positive effect may be balanced by
predatory of mites on host beetles progeny. All of the genera mentioned above and
ten other ones have been recorded from Iran (Kazemi et al. 2013; Kazemi and Rajaei
2013; Nemati et al. 2018) however, their efficiency has yet to be done.
3.2.1.3 Macrochelidae
The cosmopolitan and speciose family Macrochelidae consists of about 20 genera
and more than 470 species, are primarily free-living predators attacking nematodes
and, eggs and early stages of small invertebrates including Diptera and other
arthropods in various habitats especially dung and manure (Lindquist et al. 2009;
Krant 2018). Their development is almost rapid and one generation is usually
completed in one week. It is well documented that some mites of the genus
Macrocheles such as M. muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) and M. merdarius (Berlese)
have a significant role in the control of synanthropic filth flies (Musca domestica L.,
Musca autumnalis DeGeer and Stomoxys calcitrans L.) (Gerson et al. 2003). However, these two useful species have been recorded from various regions of Iran,
unfortunately their effect on aforementioned nuisance flies has not yet evaluated.
Many other macrochelid genera and species are distributed in the country (Kazemi
and Rajaei 2013; Babaeian et al. 2015; Nemati et al. 2018).
3.2.1.4 Phytoseiidae
The phytoseiid mites are a large family of mesostigmatic mites that can feed on small
arthropods including mite groups, thrips, whiteflies and, as well as nematodes. Also,
3 Biological Control of Pests by Mites in Iran
91
distributed regions would clear its role in control of mentioned pests.
3.2.1.2 Parasitidae
Thirty five genera and approximately 430 species of the Parasitidae are free-living
predators mostly on the ground, feeding on small arthropods and nematodes
(Lindquist et al. 2009). The genus Pergamasus prey actively upon Tyrophagus
mites (Acaridae) and springtails in soil habitats. Some Parasitus spp. (e.g. P.
bituberosus Karg, P. coleoptratorum L., P. gregarious Ito) are listed as natural
enemies of Rhizoglyphus robini Claparédè (Bulb mite) in soil and, early instars of
cecidomyiid and sciarid larvae in cultivated mushroom (Gerson et al. 2003; Castilho
et al. 2015). Several authors (e.g. Brown and Wilson 1992; Schwarz and Muller
1992; Gasperin and Kilner 2015) have repeatedly studied dynamics of symbiotic
relationships between carrion-feeding burying beetles of the genus Necrophorus
(Silphidae) and mites of the Poecilochirus spp. Typically, beetles carry mite
deutonymphs to the food resource (carrion) in order to mite feeding on nematodes
and fly larvae that are rivals of the beetles. This positive effect may be balanced by
predatory of mites on host beetles progeny. All of the genera mentioned above and
ten other ones have been recorded from Iran (Kazemi et al. 2013; Kazemi and Rajaei
2013; Nemati et al. 2018) however, their efficiency has yet to be done.
3.2.1.3 Macrochelidae
The cosmopolitan and speciose family Macrochelidae consists of about 20 genera
and more than 470 species, are primarily free-living predators attacking nematodes
and, eggs and early stages of small invertebrates including Diptera and other
arthropods in various habitats especially dung and manure (Lindquist et al. 2009;
Krant 2018). Their development is almost rapid and one generation is usually
completed in one week. It is well documented that some mites of the genus
Macrocheles such as M. muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) and M. merdarius (Berlese)
have a significant role in the control of synanthropic filth flies (Musca domestica L.,
Musca autumnalis DeGeer and Stomoxys calcitrans L.) (Gerson et al. 2003). However, these two useful species have been recorded from various regions of Iran,
unfortunately their effect on aforementioned nuisance flies has not yet evaluated.
Many other macrochelid genera and species are distributed in the country (Kazemi
and Rajaei 2013; Babaeian et al. 2015; Nemati et al. 2018).
3.2.1.4 Phytoseiidae
The phytoseiid mites are a large family of mesostigmatic mites that can feed on small
arthropods including mite groups, thrips, whiteflies and, as well as nematodes. Also,
3 Biological Control of Pests by Mites in Iran
91