New records of mites (Acari: Mesostigmata, Sarcoptiformes, Trombidiformes) from Hama Province, Syria

Abstract

This research aimed to identify phytophagous and predatory mites occurring on several plant species in Hama governorate, Syria, during 2023-2024. As a result, 33 species from 12 families and three orders (one Mesostigmata, two Sarcoptiformes and nine Trombidiformes) are reported, with 13 of these species recorded for the first time in Syria. More than 50% of collected specimens belong to the Phytoseiidae family, with ten species recorded. Within this family, a synonymy appears to be present between Amblyseiella setosa Muma and A. antonii Kolodochka and Omeri, and between Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) intercalaris Livshitz and Kuznetsov, and T. (A.) sternlichti Swirski and Amitai, when compared with the literature. Further investigations are needed to confirm this hypothesis.