Environmental management and biological aspects of the two eriophyoid fig mites Aceria ficus (Cotte) and Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer in Egypt

Mites associated with abandoned fig trees in Egypt were observed during a 2 -year study. This study included species diversity and seasonal fluctuation s as well as some biological aspects of common eriophyoid species, Three ph ytophagous species consisted of the fig bud mite Aceria ficus (Cotte), the fig leaf mite Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer and the twospotted spider m ite Tetranychus urticae Koch, representing a basic trophic level, were fed upon by three of predacious mites (Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor), Amblyse ius swirskii Athias-Henriot, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez), Population abund ance of the injurious mites were affected by the prevailing climatic condit ions, action of predators and leaf age. A control measure of one summer pes ticide (abamectin) application throughout the year seemed to be the most su ccessful management of harmful mites. Life table parameters showed that the population of A. ficus multiplied 28.52 times in a generation time of 17.9 0 days, while R. ficifoliae population increased 16.50 times in a generatio n time of 14.61 days. Field and laboratory studies indicated that the vivip arity is a typical character in the reproduction of R. ficifoliae.