Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) of Tunisian citrus orchards: Catalogue, biogeography and key for identification

This study presents the results of a survey aimed to determine the species composition of phytoseiid mites on citrus trees, inter-row grasses and conifers planted as break winds within and around citrus orchards. This survey was carried out in fourty six citrus orchards in the main citrus growing regions of Tunisia, from September 2009 to August 2011. Twenty six species belonging to ten genera were found, among which eleven are new for the Tunisian fauna. This paper provides a catalogue of all these species, with some information on their biogeography and biology when available. In addition, a key for the identification of all known Tunisian species (38 species belonging to 17 genera) is given