Phytophagous mite (Acari) species on garlic (Allium sativum L.) cultivation areas and storages of Kastamonu, Turkey

Turkey has a certain special garlic variety called “Taşköprü garlic”, (Allium sativum L.), which is an important agricultural crop, besides being especially tolerant aganist extreme climatic conditions. This study was carried out to determine harmful mite species of garlic fields and storages during 2015–2016. The samples were collected from Kastamonu (Taşköprü, Hanönü and Centrum) with a weekly interval between April to August. Twelve mite species represented two orders (Prostigmata and Oribatida [Astigmatina]); the identified species belong into five families, including Acaridae (seven species), Glycyphagidae (two species), Tetranychidae (one species), Tarsonemidae (one species) and Eriophyidae (one species). These results showed that Kastamonu has rich biodiversity, especially concerning the garlic groving areas and storages. Rhyoglyphus robini Clarapède (Acaridae) was found as the most abundant and common species with a frequency of 71.35% in Hanönü, while Tyrophagus putrescentia (Schrank) (Acaridae) was identified as the most populated species.