important species in Iranian orchards including Kermanshah province
(Darbemamieh et al. 2010; M. Darbemamieh pers. com.). This species is the most
common tydeid species in Italian vineyards (Castagnoli 1984), associated with grape
eriophyids during late winter and reported as a predator of Colomerus vitis
(Pagenstecher) in the laboratory (Camporese and Duso 1995). However, more
targeted studies are required to access beneficial predator and mycophagous
Iranian tydeid mites and, to evaluate their efficacy.
3.2.2.4 Iolinidae
The mostly omnivorous members of the family Iolinidae include 36 genera and more
than 125 species. There is an omnivorous species, Pronematus ubiquitus
(McGregor), reported as a predator on some eriophyids including Eriophyes ficus
Cotte and Aculops lycopersici (Massee) and tenuipalpids (Hernandes et al. 2015).
This predator species, along with Neopronematus neglectus (Kuznetzov), are
recorded as natural enemies of tetranychid mites on leaves of apple orchards in
northwestern Iran (Khodayari et al. 2008). Also, in this region, Shemshadian et al.
(2012) reported this mite as a potential predator of Panonychus ulmi (Koch). In
another study conducted on fig trees in central parts of Iran, maximum abundance of
P. ubiquitus populations recorded in October and December, simultaneous with
reduction of prey mobility, temperature and photoperiod (Baradaran and Arbabi
2008). Many Neopronematus species recorded in Iran from orchards (e.g. Sadeghi
et al. 2012; Darbemamieh et al. 2015) but there is no exact study on their diet and
foraging material.
Another well-known species is Homeopronematus anconai (Banker) feeding on
tomato russet mite (Aculops lycopersici) that can reduce population frequency of its
prey (Gerson et al. 2003; Hernandes et al. 2015). This species is also recorded from
Iran (Sadeghi et al. 2012; Darbemamieh et al. 2015). Some taxonomic studies on this
family have recently been initiated in Iran (for example, see Darbemamieh et al.
2015, 2016).
3.2.2.5 Anystidae
Fast moving and relatively large mites of the Anystidae including 18 genera and
about 110 species are general predators of many arthropods in soil and plant habitats.
The most important potentially biocontrol agent is the genus Anystis, members of
which attacking phytophagous insects and mites in many parts of the world (Gerson
et al. 2003; Walter et al. 2009). Many pests including tetranychid mites are being
preyed upon by familiar species Anystis baccarum (L.) and A. agilis (Banks).
Unfortunately, long development time, no prey preference, the low intrinsic rate of
increase and a predilection for cannibalism negatively affect the efficacy of these
mites to being a suitable candidate as a biocontrol agent. Some ubiquitous mites of
this family including A. baccarum have been recorded from various Iranian habitats
3 Biological Control of Pests by Mites in Iran
109
(Darbemamieh et al. 2010; M. Darbemamieh pers. com.). This species is the most
common tydeid species in Italian vineyards (Castagnoli 1984), associated with grape
eriophyids during late winter and reported as a predator of Colomerus vitis
(Pagenstecher) in the laboratory (Camporese and Duso 1995). However, more
targeted studies are required to access beneficial predator and mycophagous
Iranian tydeid mites and, to evaluate their efficacy.
3.2.2.4 Iolinidae
The mostly omnivorous members of the family Iolinidae include 36 genera and more
than 125 species. There is an omnivorous species, Pronematus ubiquitus
(McGregor), reported as a predator on some eriophyids including Eriophyes ficus
Cotte and Aculops lycopersici (Massee) and tenuipalpids (Hernandes et al. 2015).
This predator species, along with Neopronematus neglectus (Kuznetzov), are
recorded as natural enemies of tetranychid mites on leaves of apple orchards in
northwestern Iran (Khodayari et al. 2008). Also, in this region, Shemshadian et al.
(2012) reported this mite as a potential predator of Panonychus ulmi (Koch). In
another study conducted on fig trees in central parts of Iran, maximum abundance of
P. ubiquitus populations recorded in October and December, simultaneous with
reduction of prey mobility, temperature and photoperiod (Baradaran and Arbabi
2008). Many Neopronematus species recorded in Iran from orchards (e.g. Sadeghi
et al. 2012; Darbemamieh et al. 2015) but there is no exact study on their diet and
foraging material.
Another well-known species is Homeopronematus anconai (Banker) feeding on
tomato russet mite (Aculops lycopersici) that can reduce population frequency of its
prey (Gerson et al. 2003; Hernandes et al. 2015). This species is also recorded from
Iran (Sadeghi et al. 2012; Darbemamieh et al. 2015). Some taxonomic studies on this
family have recently been initiated in Iran (for example, see Darbemamieh et al.
2015, 2016).
3.2.2.5 Anystidae
Fast moving and relatively large mites of the Anystidae including 18 genera and
about 110 species are general predators of many arthropods in soil and plant habitats.
The most important potentially biocontrol agent is the genus Anystis, members of
which attacking phytophagous insects and mites in many parts of the world (Gerson
et al. 2003; Walter et al. 2009). Many pests including tetranychid mites are being
preyed upon by familiar species Anystis baccarum (L.) and A. agilis (Banks).
Unfortunately, long development time, no prey preference, the low intrinsic rate of
increase and a predilection for cannibalism negatively affect the efficacy of these
mites to being a suitable candidate as a biocontrol agent. Some ubiquitous mites of
this family including A. baccarum have been recorded from various Iranian habitats
3 Biological Control of Pests by Mites in Iran
109