Predaceous mites in apple orchads in Rio Grande do Sul

A survey of predaceous mites in apple (Prunus malus L.) orchards in central part of Rio Grande do Sul state (Serio and Capitão counties) was conducted from September 1993 to May 1994. The majority of the predators collected belonged to the Phytoseiidae family. The most common species were Neoseiulus tunus (DeLeon), Euseius alatus DeLeon, and Euseius brazilli (El-Benhawy). In Capitão, Euseius spp. were the predominant phytoseiids from the beginning of December 1993 to mid March 1994. In Serio, Euseius spp. were more abundant than N. tunus only at the end of January. The number of phytoseiids increased from the end of December 1993 to mid February 1994. The highest levels of Stigmaeidae and Cunaxidae occurred from the end of February to mid May, after the reduction of phytoseiids