Diversity of erythraeid mite species (Erythraeidae, Trombidiformes) in Syria

Document Type : Scientific notes

Authors

Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damascus University, P.O. Box 77, Masaken Barza St., Damascus, Syria

Abstract

Mites belonging to the family Erythraeidae were collected from three governorates: Al-Hasakeh from Al-Dabbaghiya village during 2022, Damascus governorate from Abu Jarsh farm, and Hama governorate from an olive field in Masyaf area during 2023/2024. Eleven erythraeid species were collected from their larval stages. Ten of them pertaining to the genus Erythraeus: Erythraeus (Erythraeus) adanaensis, Erythraeus (Zaracarus) chrysoperlae, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) hilariae,  Erythraeus (Erythraeus) hypertrichotus, Erythraeus (Zaracarus) kurdistaniesis, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) loomerus, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) phalangoides, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) pistacicus, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) populi, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) soleimanii, and a single species belonging to the genus Leptus: Leptus horiacus. These species are the first recorded in Syria except for Erythraeus (Erythraeus) phalangoides, Erythraeus (Erythraeus) adanaensis and Leptus horiacus that have been previously recorded.

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