The mites of the family Tarsonemidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) in West Bengal, India

Abstract

This paper reports a survey of plant-associated tarsonemid mites throughout the Indian state of West Bengal during 2009-2013. Eleven species in seven genera were collected. Among the most economically important mites, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) was most widely distributed and infested a wide range of host plants, including many commercial crops. Four species of Steneo-tarsonemus Beer were collected from paddy fields; S. spinki Smiley was the most dominant on rice during the wet season, and S. furcatus De Leon attacked rice in both the southern coastal districts and the Himalayan foothills; it was also found within the large air spaces of the inner side of the rice leaf sheath. Besides, Steneotarsonemus spinki and S. furcatus, two other species were also collected on rice those have been presented in table-1. Steneotarsonemus konoi Smiley & Emmanouel was collected from Cynodon dactylon, on which it causes a distinct whitish longitudinal patch on the leaves. Species of Daidalotarsonemus De Leon, Xenotarsonemus Beer, Tarsonemus Canestrini & Fanzago, Fungitarsonemus Cromroy, and Dendroptus Kramer were also collected on different plant species.