Population fluctuation of some economically important mites on two mango cultivars in Qalyubia governorate, Egypt

Population fluctuation of the most abundant mite species inhabiting mango, Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae), as one of the important fruit trees at Qalyubia governorate, Egypt was studied from August 2020 to September 2022. Results indicated the occurrence of 19 mite species from 18 genera in 10 families. Mango bud mite, Aceria mangiferae Sayed, mango rust mite, Metaculus mangiferae (Attiah) and tetranychid mite, Oligonychus mangiferus (Rahman & Sapra) have become important pests on “Naomi” mango cultivar. While, the mango leaf coating mite, Aceria aegyptindicae Elhalawany, Amrine & Ueckermann and Cisaberoptus kenyae Keifer are important pests on “Heidi” cultivar. Aceria mangiferae has two peaks (in mid and late November, and late May and early-June) on buds of “Naomi” cultivar during the two successive seasons. Metaculus mangiferae has two peaks on leaves (in mid-October and late May) in the first season and (in late November and May) in the second season. Oligonychus mangiferus was recorded in high numbers in spring and autumn on “Naomi” cultivar during the two collection seasons. Aceria aegyptindicae and C. kenyae have two peaks (in late November and mid-February) in the first season, and (in early December and late April) in the second season on “Heidi” cultivar. Predacious mites are following their associated phytophagous prey with a lag in time. The population of phytophagous mites was significantly affected by combined weather factors and plant age than weather factors alone. Results indicated ‘Heidi’ is resistant to infestation with A. mangiferae, and susceptible to both A. aegyptindicae and C. kenyae. However, ‘Naomi’ is susceptible to the first pest and resistant to latter two pests. The changes in the nutritional value of the host plant are more effective on mite population fluctuation than weather factors.