Study Plant mite fauna of ornamental plants cultivated in indoor and outdoor conditions in Tehran, Markazei and Isfahan provinces

Among injurious mites on ornamental plants identified in indoor and outdoor conditions, some species reported as a major pests in Iran and other parts of hhe world. An investigation of injurious and predacious ornamental plant mites were carried out in controlled and natural conditions in three main ornamental growing regions (Tehran and Markazi, Esfehan Provinces) in Iran during 2002-2003. More than 100 ornamental plant species belong to 45 botanical families were checked which 81 of them along with 17 weed species belonging to 11 botanical families were observed as mite harboring. Six spider mite species in three genera found injurious which host ranges of Tetranychus urticae, T. cinnabarinus observed with more than 70 ornamental species. Botanical families of Asteraceae and Araceae observed with maximum host plant species. Four species of Tenuipalpid mites from 7 host plants identified and population and damages of Brevipalpus sp. on Agloanema commutatum and Cissus rhombifolia found higher than other one. Phytocoptella yuccae damages on terminal leaves of Yucca gloriosa caused white powdery spots d at based of leave along with growth retardation which led to ugly appearance of infested Y. gloriosa leaves under controlled condition. Rhizoglyphus robini and R. echinopus (Acaridae) injuries on bulbs of Gladioulus grandiflorus, Polianthes tuberose caused noticeable damages and protect normal bulb growth in large infested area. Density population of an unidentified oribatid mite on petals of Anthurium andraeanum caused brown spots appearance of infested plants in some greenhouses in Varamine region. Among predacious mites from Tydeidae, Trombidiidae, Euplapsellidae, Phytoseiidae Parasitidae families collected on some ornamental plants, only two phytoseiid species i.e. Neoseilus umbraticus and Phytoseius sp. observed in less number on Magnolia grandiflora and Peteris cretica respectively. Maximum host ranges of predatory mites recorded for tydeid mite in comparison to other.