Mites Found on Açaí Palm Trees in Native and Cultivated Areas

Jim Crocker
23rd May, 2024

Mites Found on Açaí Palm Trees in Native and Cultivated Areas

Açaí Palm (Euterpe oleracea)

Photo adapted from: Guillaume Delaitre / CC BY (Source)

Key Findings

  • The study by the University of Taquari Valley - UNIVATES analyzed mite diversity on açaí palms in Bragança and Augusto Corrêa, Pará
  • More mites were found during the rainy season, but the dry season had greater species richness and diversity
  • Cultivated açaí trees had more mites, while native trees showed slightly higher species richness
The recent study conducted by the University of Taquari Valley - UNIVATES aimed to quantify and analyze the diversity of mites associated with native and cultivated açaí palm crops, focusing on their distribution during the dry and rainy seasons in the municipalities of Bragança and Augusto Corrêa, state of Pará[1]. This research is significant as it provides insights into the diversity and potential biological control agents within the Amazon biome. The study sampled a total of 2069 mites from 28 families, with the most representative families being Phytoseiidae (32.4%), Phytoptidae (13%), Cunaxidae (7.7%), Tetranychidae (5.6%), and Tydeidae (4.9%). Among the predatory mites, the most abundant species were Amblyseius sp. 1, Armascirus amazoniensis Wurlitzer & Silva, Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark & Muma, and Scutopalus tomentosus Rocha, Skvarla & Ferla. The phytophagous mites identified included Acaphyllisa sp., Davisella sp., Oligonychus sp., and Retracus johnstoni Keifer. Interestingly, the study found that more mites were sampled during the rainy season (1176) compared to the dry season (893). However, the greatest species richness (73 species) and diversity were observed during the dry period. Additionally, the municipality of Bragança exhibited greater species richness (78 species), and the cultivated açaí trees had a higher acarine abundance (74.7%) than the native ones, although the native trees showed slightly higher species richness (6%). These findings align with previous research on mite diversity and distribution in similar environments. For instance, a study on coconut palms in Brazil identified the Phytoseiidae family as predominant among predatory mites, highlighting species such as Neoseiulus paspalivorus and N. baraki as promising biological control agents[2]. The current study's identification of Phytoseiidae as the most representative family among mites associated with açaí palms echoes these earlier findings, suggesting a consistent pattern in mite diversity across different tropical crops. Moreover, the presence of Cunaxidae, a family of predaceous mites, in the açaí palm ecosystem is noteworthy. Previous work has provided comprehensive keys to world subfamilies, genera, and species of Cunaxidae, emphasizing their predatory role in various habitats[3]. The identification of Cunaxidae in the current study supports the idea that these mites could play a crucial role in controlling phytophagous mite populations on açaí palms. The study's findings on the seasonal variation in mite populations also reflect earlier observations. For example, research on tropical fruit trees in Bahia, Brazil, indicated that climatic conditions significantly influence mite diversity and abundance, with certain species thriving in specific environmental conditions[4]. The current study's observation that more mites were sampled during the rainy season, but greater species richness and diversity were found in the dry season, underscores the complex relationship between climatic factors and mite populations. In summary, the study conducted by the University of Taquari Valley - UNIVATES provides valuable insights into the diversity and distribution of mites associated with açaí palms in the Amazon biome. By identifying key predatory mites and analyzing their seasonal distribution, the research highlights the potential for using these natural enemies in applied biological control. The findings align with previous studies on mite diversity in tropical crops, reinforcing the importance of understanding ecological interactions for effective pest management strategies.

AgricultureEcologyPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Mites associated with açaí palm trees (Euterpe oleracea: Arecaceae) in native and cultivated areas of the state of Pará (Eastern Amazon, Brazil).

Published 22nd May, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-024-00925-4

Related Studies

2) Exploration of the acarine fauna on coconut palm in Brazil with emphasis on Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae) and its natural enemies.

Journal: Bulletin of entomological research, Issue: Vol 98, Issue 1, Feb 2008

3) A review of Cunaxidae (Acariformes, Trombidiformes): Histories and diagnoses of subfamilies and genera, keys to world species, and some new locality records.

https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.418.7629

4) Phytoseiid mites from tropical fruit trees in Bahia State, Brazil (Acari, Phytoseiidae).

https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.533.5981


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