الفهرس 
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Abstract
Mites play an important role in the biogeochemical cycles of nature as well as in the agricultural cycles of organic matter. They are considered to be very important in both human and animal catering. According to their feeding habits, the mites occurred on pomegranatetrees can be classified into three groups (phytophagous, predacious and these of unknown feeding habits). This point has gained an extended attention for the last five decades and mites have won nearly the same fame of importance as insects have.
When reviewing previous and current results focused on mite species (both phytophagous and predacious) live on pomegranate trees in both Egypt and abroad. It was cleared that, there were a lot of species pertaining to diverse groups of mites. So, the current work aimed to study the taxonomy and the ecology of some species with economic importance. In the present study, an accurate survey of mite species inhabiting pomegranate trees in Assiut city and its suburbs was done. The present study describes a new genus and four new species, new to science, belonging to two different families (Acaridae Latreille, 1802 and Histiostomatidae Berlese, 1897).
Moreover, the present study was designed to explore the ecological trends of certain phytophagous and predacious mite species inhabiting pomegranate trees under various circumstances. However, the great numbers of species and their various morphological differences acquire more intensive and comprehensive research especially for the predacious ones. Therefore, the author intended to give some ecological and taxonomical treatises.
The present work might help acarologists to classify the species of mites found on pomegranate trees, whether phytophagous or predacious ones. As for the description of the new species, the present survey helped to discover a new genus and four new species that have not been described before whether in Egypt or in the world.
The present course of investigation, therefore, had to be accomplished in the following five points:
1. Survey of mites inhabiting certain varieties of pomegranate trees (pomegranate orchards) in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt.
2. Morphology and taxonomy of some mite species inhabiting pomegranate orchards with description of one new genus and four new species pertaining to the families: Acaridae Latreille, 1802 and Histiostomatidae Berlese, 1897.
3. Study the population fluctuation of Tenuipalpus punicae Pritchard & Baker, 1958 and Oligonychus punicae (Hirst, 1924) on pomegranate.
4. Study the biolgy of Tenuipalpus punicae Pritchard & Baker, 1958 under laboratory constant temperatures.
5. Evaluation of the predatory efficiencyof phytoseiid mites, Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot, 1958) when feed on Siphoninus phillyreae (Haliday, 1835), and Tenuipalpus punicae Pritchard & Baker, 1958.
The present study included the regular samples collected from soil, leaves and debris under pomegranate fruit trees, Assiut Governorate, in order to study the mite fauna inhabiting pomegranate leaves and weeds under the pomegranate fruit trees.
This work revealed the following results:
5.1. Taxonomical studies:
Of the total number of mite fauna educed from different localities, one new genus and four new species belonging to the families: Acaridae Latreille, 1802 and Histiostomatidae Berlese, 1897 were found to be new to science.
- These are:
a. Egyptglyphus Eraky et al., 2019c
b. Egyptglyphusoconnori Eraky et al., 2019c
c. Caloglyphus azzai Eraky et al., 2020a
d. Caloglyphus punicum Eraky et al., 2020a
e. Myianoetus granatumEraky et al., 2020a
5.2. Ecological studies:
5.2.1. Survey studies:
Surveillance studies revealed the occurrence of 190 mite species pertaining to 50 families and 100 genera in addition to 1 unidentified genera and species. According to their feeding behavior, mites were divided into three major groups (i.e.,(15 species) plant feeders, (105 species) predacious mites and (70 species) miscellaneous feeding habits).
5.2.2. Population fluctuation of mites:
5.2.2.1. Population fluctuation of phytophagous and predaceous mites associated with leaves of some varieties of pomegranate trees at Abou-Tig; El-Fateh and Manfalout cities in Assiut Governorate:
The pomegranate false spider mite, T. punicae and the Avocado brown mite, O. punicae on leaves of pomegranate trees using direct count method during two successive seasons (2018 to 2020) in Assiut Governorate.The seasonal abundance of this mite species population expressed as monthly sum of individual numbers, average and percentages from the overall season numbers during the two inspected season (2018 to 2020)
A.1. Population fluctuation of phytophagous mites on leaves of Baladi (Manfalouty) pomegranate variety:
The pomegranate false spider mite, T. punicae on Baladi (Manfalouty) variety at Abou-Tig, El-Fateh and Manfalout cities have two annual peaks of seasonal abundance in July and August in the two years.While, the avocado brown mite, O. punicae had four annual peaks of seasonal abundance in June, July, August and September in the two years.
B.2. Population fluctuation of phytophagous mites on leaves of Assiuty pomegranate variety:
It’s clearly demonstrated that, the pomegranate false spider mite, T. punicae on Assiuty variety in Abou-Tig, El-Fateh and Manfalout cities has three annual peaks of seasonal abundance in July, August and September in the two years at Abou-Tig city. While, at El-Fateh city it had two annual peaks of seasonal abundance in June and July in the first year, in August and September in the second year. While, in local farm Manfalout city it had two annual peaks of seasonal abundance in July and August.
C.3. Population fluctuation of predaceous mites on leaves of Baladi (Manfalouty) pomegranate variety:
The phytoseiid mite, E. scutalis was recorded on leaves from February to November associated with different pests. On Baladi (Manfalouty) pomegranate variety the predator was found with rare numbers at first December, January, February and the population density of mite was maximum during July for the first and second years, at Abou-Tig local farm. The numbers of mite began to decrease again until the end of November, not recorded in December and January in both years at Abou-Tig, El-Fateh and Manfalout cities. While, in Abou-Tig city the predators were found with rare numbers at first of February and the population density of mites maximum numbers during July and August for the first and second years. While, in the local farm El-Fateh, the numbers of mites began to decrease again until the end of April, not recorded in December and January in both years.While, the phytoseiid mite, N. barkeri was found with rare numbers at first March, at Abou-Tig city and the population density of mite was maximum during September and July for the first and second years.
D.4. Population fluctuation of predaceous mites on leaves of Assiuty pomegranate variety:
The phytoseiid mite, E. scutalis has two annual peaks of seasonal abundance in August and September in the two years at Abou-Tig for the first year and the second year. While, in El-Fateh has two annual peaks of seasonal abundance in August and September in the two years. While, in Manfalout local farm has one annual peaks of seasonal abundance in August in the first years. The lowest numbers of mite were recorded in December and January at Abou-Tig, El-Fateh and Manfalout local farms. While, the phytoseiid mite, N. barkeri was found with rare numbers at first of November, February and the population density of mite was maximum during July and September in the two years at Abou-Tig. While, in El-Fateh city the phytoseiid mite, N. barkeri was recorded with rare numbers at first, after that the number increased gradually to reach the peak of seasonal abundance in February in the two studied years. The numbers of mite began to decrease gradually. In Manfalout, the phytoseiid mite, N. barkeri was recorded with scarce numbers at first,and then the number was increased gradually to reach its peak in March in the two years.
E.5. The relationship between population fluctuation of the phytophagous mites, Tenuipalpus punicae Pritchard & Baker, 1958 and Oligonychus punicae (Hirst, 1924) and the predaceous mites,Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot, 1958) and Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes, 1948) associated with leaves of pomegranate varieties during two years (2018/2019-2019/2020):
1. Leaves of Baladi (Manfalouty) pomegranate variety:
The predaceous mites (E. scutalis and N. barkeri) have two annual peaks of seasonal abundance in Septemberand July in Abou-Tig. While, in August and July in El-Fateh local farm and July and August in Manfalout in the first and second year. Showed highly significant positive effect existed on population density of T. punicae acted by the predator mite were detected in the first and second year, in Abou-Tig, El-Fateh and Manfalout local farm in Assiut Governorate.
2. Leaves of Assiuty pomegranate variety:
The predaceous mites (E. scutalis and N. barkeri) have one annual peaks of seasonal abundance on leaves of Assiuty pomegranate variety was found in July at Abou-Tig, in September and August at El-Fateh. While, in July at Manfalout during the two successive years (2018-2019 and 2019-2020).
F.6. The effect of two weather factors in population fluctuation of mites during twosuccessive years started from October 2018 in Abou-Tig, El-Fateh and Manfalout local farms, Assiut Governorate:
The results showed the following notes:
1. Temperature:
The population densities of T.punicae and the predaceous mites on leaves of pomegranate trees,exhibited a significant positive correlation with temperature during the twosuccessive years, and the density of T. punicaeexhibited non-significant negative correlation with temperature at Abou-Tig city onBaladi and Assiuty pomegranate varieties during the two successive years. While, significant negative correlation with temperature at El-Fateh and Manfalout cities, except for Baladi pomegranate variety it exhibited insignificant negativecorrelation with temperature in the first year, and significantnegative correlation was recorded with temperature in the second year.
2. Relative humidity:
The population density of T. punicae and the predaceous mites on leaves of pomegranate trees, exhibited significant negative correlation with relative humidity during thetwo successive years, and the density of T. punicaewas exhibited insignificant positive correlation with relative humidity at El-Fateh city, except for Assiuty variety a significant positivecorrelation was recorded during the first year, while insignificant positive correlation in the second year.
Some biological aspects of mite species:
A.Tenuipalpus punicae Pritchard & Baker, 1958 (Tenuipalpidae Berlese, 1913):
The pomegranate red mite,T. punicaewas rearedon leaves ofPunicae granatum L. cv., Baladi ”Manfalouty” at four different temperatures 20º, 25º, 30º, and 35°C, itcompleted its life span and fecundity, but the mite was affected by temperaturedegrees.
- This study showed the following notes:
1. Relationships between the biotic potential of pomegranate false spider mite, Tenuipalpus punicae Pritchard & Baker 1958and temperature was studied at constant temperature conditions of 20º-35ºC.
2. Optimum temperatures range forTenuipalpus punicae Pritchard & Baker 1958was 30º-35°C.
3. The shortest pre-oviposition period, the greatest egg-laying capacity and immature stages development, optimum conditions were noticed at 35ºC followed by 30ºC.
4. Complete age-specific fecundity schedules and life table parameters were computed from these data for each of four temperatures.
5. The shortest developmental duration was (12.56 & 9.63) days for female and male at 35oC.
6. The highest total mean fecundity rate was 13.13 eggs/female (with a daily rate of 1.59 eggs/female/day) was at 30oC.
7. The thermal constants (K) were (56.82, 100.80, 83.93, 122.23, 345.97, 419.22, 308.60 and 648.66) (DDs) for the previous stages as physiological times required for this species phenomena.
8. The maximum values of intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the finite rate of increase (λ) was obtained at 35oC (i.e., 0.120 and 1.12 individuals/female/day).
9. The gross reproductive rate (GRR) was the highest at 35oC as 16.4 eggs/female/generation.
10. The shortest time for population density doubling (DT) was (5.77) days at 35oC.
B. Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot, 1958)(Phytoseiidae Berlese, 1914):
C. Rearing the predatory mite, Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot, 1958):
The predatory mite, E. scutaliswas collected from pomegranate trees (Punica granatum L., Lythraceae Jaume Saint-Hilaire, 1805). In the pomology farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Assiut University [27° 02’ 28.20”N, 31° 00’ 25.80’’E].Infested pomegranate leaves with T. punicae were provided daily to the stock colony of the predator as a fresh food. The stock colony was maintained under controlled conditions (30±1˚C & 65±5 % R.H). Few drops of water were added when needed.
D. Effect of temperature and effect of different kind of foods on the development Euseius scutalis(Athias-Henriot, 1958):
- Following are the most important notes:
1. The biology, life table parameters and predation efficiency of the predatory mite, E. scutalis feed onT. punicae mobile stages and S. phillyreae eggs were tested at constant conditions (30±1ºC and 65±5% R.H.).
2. The predator completed its developmental times on both prey pests in (6.20) and (6.45) days.
3. The mite was slightly influenced by the prey type, as when fed onT. punicae mobile stages, its developmental time was shorter than preyed on S. phillyreae eggs.
4. Whenever, the female predator fed the mite mobile stages, the finite rate of increase (λ) was higher than that on the insect eggs.
5. The mean generation time (T) was also affected, whereas it was longer when the female preyed on S. phillyreae eggs compared with that on T.punicae mobile stages.
6. The E. scutalis female consumed high number of insecteggs during its oviposition period and the longevity was longer in comparison with feed T.punicae mobile stages.
Practical Application and Recommendations
1. Research on the taxonomy, morphology and ecology of the pomegranate mites is promising, especialy in Egypt, as compared with other groups of fruit orchards. However, the considerable numbers of species and various morphological differences require more intensive and comprehensive research. Therefore, the present course of investigation intended to give a morphological and taxonomical treatise as apart of the ecological research, this makes the identification of the species pertaining to the mite groups easier, especially the use of the identification keys, based on the morphological characteristics of the adult and deutonymphal stages.
2. Molecular identification of mite species is also required along with using morphological characteristics especially in the separation between the morphologically close species.
3. Biological control has great potential as a tactic for regulating pest populations in integrated pest management programs (IPM) in pomegranate orchards. Therefore, it is important to survey predacious mites associated with the both pomegranate spider mite and flat red mite in Egypt and study their role as biocontrol agents in order to minimize the use of pesticides.
4. Continuous monitoring of field crops as invasive/secondary pests may appear e.g.,Oligonychus punicae (Hirst, 1924) and Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks, 1904).
5. More surveys are needed in searching for more predatory species.
6. Testing the predation ability of the commonly reported predatory species (lab. studies and/or field releases).
7. Laboratory mass rearing of predatory mites reported.
8. Oligonychus punicae(Hirst, 1924) and Tenuipalpus punicaePritchard & Baker, 1958 were the phytophagous mites with more abundant.
9. Euseius scutalis(Athias-Henriot, 1958) and Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes, 1948) are the most common predator mites.
10. Tenuipalpus punicaePritchard & Baker, 1958 is the most important phythophagous mites in pomegranate culture in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt with outbreak population in June, July and August.
11. High predator diversity was observed on associated pomegranate trees, indicating the existence of species mobility in pomegranate orchard.