Mite fauna of a coffee agroecosystem (Coffea arabicaL.) in the municipality of Monte Alegre do Sul, São Paulo State, Brazil. Part I.

Abstract

This study aims to assess the mite fauna of coffee plants in the municipality of Monte Alegre do Sul, SP. The sample period was from April 2004 to February 2008. Each month, we sampled 480 leaves and 1,920 fruits from plants of the Coffea arabica L. cv. Mundo Novo. In total 16,062 adult individuals from 30 families representing 81 species of mite (and 1 incertae sedis). Among them, 95% were obtained from leaves, with the Mesostigmata contributing 23 species and 1,805 specimens. The phytoseiid mites were the most abundant, with 1,793 specimens. Seventeen families of Prostigmatid mites were recorded, represented by 48 species and 12,485 individuals. On fruits, the Mesostigmatid mites included three families and eight species. The Prostigmatid mites included nine families and 18 species, totalling 852 individuals. Brevipalpus sp. was the most abundant and frequent species, representing approximately 92% of the Prostigmatid mites. The present work reveals the occurrence of predator mites on coffee plants in the region: Euseius alatus, Amblyseius herbicolus, Iphiseiodes matatlanticae, Armascirus sp.1 and Dactyloscirus sp..