ديناميكية مجتمعات مفترسات عائلة Phytoseiidae في بساتين التفاح في جنوب سورية

Abstract EN

This study was conducted to monitor the population dynamics of Phytoseiids mites on two apple varieties, namely Golden Delicious and Starking Delicious, in three orchards at three different locations, Sad El-Room, Ain Arab and Fifth Tabna, in southern Syria during 2018 and 2019.

Results obtained indicated the occurrence of two species of Phytosiieds, Typhlodromus pyri (Scheuten) and Typhlodromus cotoneastri (Wainsten) in the studied orchards.

The population of Phytosiieds reached the peak between first and middle of July and late August.

The Phytosiieds population density was higher on Starking Delicious than Golden Delicious apples, however, the number of phytophagous mites were higher on Golden Delicious in some sites.

Population of Phytosiieds was highest in the third location during the two seasons 2018 and 2019.

This study pointed out the importance and spread of Phytosiieds mites in apple orchards in southern Syria.

However, more studies are needed to investigate further their importance as biological control agents in the management of apple orchards.

Keywords: Phytoseiidae, Typhlodromus pyri, Typhlodromus cotoneastri, Apple, population dynamics, Syria.