First report of the predator mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in natural environment of Iran

The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot has been used as importation from abroad or rearing in the laboratory and greenhouse in Iran. This predatory mite has been used for biological control of spider mites in greenhouses and fields. Due to the special thermal and humidity requirements of this mite, including temperature between 17-28˚C and relative humidity between 40-70%, the presence of this mite in natural conditions of Iran has not been reported so far. In the study of the fauna of mites associated with peanut in Astaneh-ye-Ashrafieh vicinity in Guilan province, a few specimens of this predatory mite were collected on peanut plants infected with the two spotted spider mites. After preparing microscopic slide and examining it under the microscope, the species of predator mite was identified as P. persimilis. This is the first report of the natural establishment of the predatory mite P. persimilis in Iran.