First report of <i>Schizoglyphus</i> (Acari: Schizoglyphidae) on white grub larvae from India

Abstract

White grubs cause serious yield losses in high-value and staple crops, including sugarcane, groundnut, maize and potato, but biological control through entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes is by far the most sustainable management strategy available. In our investigations on the factors causing mortality of several species of white grubs, we found an undermined species of the soil-dwelling mite, Schizoglyphus affecting white grub species belonging to Scarabaeidae of Coleoptera. This is the first report of the occurrence of this mite from India and as well from scarab larvae. The potential of this mite as a biocontrol agent has to be explored.