ÁCAROS PREDADORES PHYTOSEIIDAE (ACARI: MESOSTIGMATA) DO PANTANAL SUL-MATO-GROSSENSE

Abstract

Phytoseiidae is the most studied family of of predatory mites since some species are effectively used as biological control agents. Nevertheless, studies of these mites in some Brazilian biomes such as the Pantanal are still scarce. Thus, the objective this publication was to assess the diversity of Phytoseiidae (Parasitiformes: Mesostigmata) in Pantanal vegetation remnants from Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, verifying the importance of the native plants as reservoirs for these mites. Samplings were carried out in five phytophysiognomies of Pantanal biome: Cambarazal, Capão, Carandazal, Mata Ciliar and Paratudal. Thirty-five phytoseiid species were recorded on 40 plant species of 28 botanical families. The most common species were Amblyseius chiapensis De Leon and Euseius concordis De Leon, recorded on 21 and 18 plant species, respectively. Inga vera Wild. (Leguminosae) and Paullinia pinnata L. (Sapindaceae) were the host plants that harbored the greatest richness of phytoseiids, 14 species each. Our results suggest a high diversity of phytoseiid mites in the Pantanal biome. However, since a small proportion of biome total area was considered, only a fraction of the mite diversity was probably recovered. Thus, new studies on this biome are needed, especially in others wellpreserved native vegetation remnants.