Species Typhlodromus occidentalis - Western predatory mite

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Identification · Range · Food · Life Cycle · Remarks · Internet References

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Chelicerata (Chelicerates)

Class Arachnida (Arachnids)

Subclass Acari (Mites and Ticks)

Superorder Parasitiformes

Order Mesostigmata (Mesostigs)

Suborder Dermanyssina

Superfamily Phytoseioidea

Family Phytoseiidae

Genus Typhlodromus

Species occidentalis (Western predatory mite)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Metaseiulus occidentalis, Galandromus occidentalis

Explanation of Names

Author: Nesbitt

Identification

Pear shaped. First they are white. Later they take the color of their prey, usually red or brown.

Range

Native to western US

Food

Predaceous on other mites, etc.

Life Cycle

overwinters as mated adult females in duff at base of trees, under bark scales, or in crevices on tree trunks.

Remarks

Used as primary biocontrol agent of pest mites on many crops. Its benefit to commercial apple, plum, peach, and cherry orchard farming is especially well known.

Internet References

Cornell U.

Washington State University

Contributed by Tim Loh on 24 February, 2009 - 4:14pm
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset
Last updated 24 September, 2016 - 4:35pm

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