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The structure of the mite communities were compared in San José de las Lajas municipality, Mayabeque province, Cuba, before and after the introduction of Raoiella indica Hirst to establish its ecological impact on the mite fauna present on selected species of the families Arecaceae and Musaceae . The selected botanical species were Cocos nucifera L., Adonidia merrillii (Becc.) Becc., Dypsis lutescens (H. Wendl.) Beentje & J. Dransf., Roystonea regia O.F. Cook, and Musa spp. The abundance of the mites detected by functional group was calculated and different ecological indices were applied. The introduction of R. indica into San José de las Lajas municipality caused a reduction of the associated-mite richness in the evaluated plant species, which was particularly marked in coconut and garden palm due to the reduction of predatory mites. A significant increase in the family Tenuipalpidae was observed, due to the high populations of R. indica recorded on C. nucifera, A. merrillii and Musa spp., to the detriment of representatives of the families Tetranychidae and Eriophyidae, which were majorities in the first sampling period. The existence of a rearrangement of the mite species and their abundance was demonstrated, being evidenced by the reduction of species diversity and the increase of dominance, in response to population increases of the invasive exotic mite, which could cause imbalances and affect biodiversity over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the diversity of phytophagous and predators mites in agroecosystems of the farms "El Caimito" and "Dos Rosas", Cotorro municipality, Havana, Cuba, periodic samplings were carried out from February 2018 to March 2019. In all the samplings, 100 simple leaves per plant were selected, which were reviewed under a stereoscopic microscope (Carl ZeissTM, StemiTM DV4 model). The collected adult mites were clarified and mounted on slides. For their identification, they were observed with a Carl ZeissTM microscope, model AxioSkope.A1 and the corresponding taxonomic keys were used. The relative abundance and frequency of each species were calculated, the species accumulation curve was made and the ecological indices were determined by type of ecosystem. As a result of the inventory, eleven families of mites were detected. The phytophagous mites were represented by three families (Tarsonemidae, Tetranychidae and Tenuipalpidae) and six morphospecies, five families of predatory mites (Bdellidae, Cunaxidae, Stigmaeidae, Eupodidae and Phytoseiidae) with 17 morphospecies and four families of mites with varied eating habits (Acaridae, Tarsonemidae, Tydeidae, and Oppidae). The no disturbed ecosystem, represented by plant species in natural habitats, was the most diverse. Agroecosystem management practices were shown to influence the relative abundance and frequency of species, impacting the diversity of ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the diversity of mites in the farm "Las Piedras", Guanabacoa municipality, Havana Province, Cuba, periodic sampling was carried out between June 2018 and April 2019. In each sampling, 100 simple leaves per plant species were selected, which were examined under a stereoscopic microscope (Carl ZeissTM, StemiTM DV4 model), and the adult mites were clarified and mounted on slides. The corresponding taxonomic keys were used for their identification. The relative abundance and frequency of each species were calculated, the species accumulation curve was made by the Clench equation and the ecological indices by types of ecosystem were calculated. As a result of the inventory, nine families of mites were detected; two of them were phytophagous mites (Tarsonemidae and Tetranychidae), four of predatory mites (Bdellidae, Cunaxidae, Stigmaeidae and Phytoseiidae) and three of mites with varied feeding habits (Acaridae, Tydeidae and Oppidae). The parameters and values estimated by the Clench species accumulation model indicated that the inventory results were reliable. A differential behavior was observed in the relative abundance and frequency of the phytoseid mite species as a function of the management of the ecosystems. The species I. quadripilis were very abundant and very frequent in the undisturbed ecosystem, while E. hibisci and Agistemus sp., were very abundant and frequent in the little disturbed ecosystem. The little disturbed ecosystem, represented by the fruit species, was the most diverse. Among the detected species, I. quadripilis and E. hisbisci stood out for presenting the greatest possibilities of use as biological control agents of harmful organisms in the farm "Las Piedras". This knowledge will make possible to establish the most favorable agroecosystem management practices for the conservation of these important natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae are important in agroecosystems, given their significant role in the regulation of pest mites and small insects. The present work aimed at to determining the diversity of phytoseid predatory mites in Jaruco municipality. For this purpose, an inventory of predatory mites was carried out in selected agroecosystems of the municipality, the mites present were quantified and their taxonomic identification was performed. With the information obtained, species richness, relative abundance, and frequency, as well as derived ecological indices, were calculated. As a result of the inventory, five families of predatory mites were detected. The family Phytoseiidae represented 69.23 % of the detected species and 93.40 % of the inventoried individuals. The 13 species of predatory mites detected were considered new reports for the locality. The species A. largoensis was abundant and frequent, while the remaining species were infrequent and not abundant, except I. quadripilis that was abundant and Tetranychus sp. that was frequent. The ecological indices calculated demonstrated that the locality presented a high diversity. This was demonstrated by the 21 species of mites found, as well as by the values of the Margalef (MDg= 3.76) and Shannon-Wiever (H'= 2.40) indices. Among the predatory mite species found, A. largoensis, A. aerialis, I. quadripilis, N. longispinosus T. subtropical, and E. hibisci stood out with the greatest potential as biological control agents for phytophagous mites. This knowledge will make possible to establish the most favorable agroecosystem management practices for the conservation of these important natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]