Diversidade de ácaros (Acari) e biologia deTetranychus mexicanus (Mcgregor) em Annonaceae

Abstract

The family Annonaceae Juss. is composed by more than 120 genera and 2000 species, from the tropical regions of America, Asia and Africa. Many of these species are edible; the genus Annona is the most cultivated. Phytophagous and predators mites are commonly found in Annonaceae, however in Brazil few reports of the mites are associated with this family. This study aimed to assess the diversity mite species in Annonaceae in Northeastern Brazil and Pará state, as well as its population dynamic in the state of Pernambuco. It also aimed to evaluate the biology of Tetranychus mexicanus (McGregor) identified as phytophagous species more frequent and abundant in that state. The following families were found associated with Annonaceae: Acaridae, Bdellidae, Cheyletidae, Cunaxidae, Eriophyidae, Phytoseiidae, Stigmaeidae, Tarsonemidae, Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae and Tydeidae. Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes), Tetranychus mexicanus (McGregor) and Tenuipalpus annonae De Leon apparently can cause damage to fruits and leaves of Annonaceae. Among the predators found the greatest richness ofspecies was found the family Phytoseiidae. T. mexicanus showed better development, survival, as well as net rate of reproduction in Annona muricata L. (soursop), but this species is usually prefer feed and by eggs in Annonaceae in which it was reared. The family Tydeidae presented the greatest abundance in all Annonaceae studied. Genera Afrotydeus, Homeopronematus, Lorryia,Parapronematus and Tetranychus in Annona coriaceae L. (araticum); Lorryia, Pronematus, Oligonychus and Tenuipalpus in Annona squamosa L. (sweetsop); Afrotydeus, Agistemus, Homeopronematus, Lorryia and Tetranychus in soursop were very abundant, very common, constant and dominant. There was no difference in the amount of mites collected in the Annonaceae studied in relation to the dry and rainy season, except for the family Tetranychidae in sweetsop, Phytoseiidae in A. coriaceae and Tetranychidae and Phytoseiidae in soursop.