Abstract

CHAIRES-GRIJALVA, M. Patricia et al. Mesostigmatid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated to Dendroctonus rhizophagus from Chihuahua, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2013, vol.84, n.4, pp.1235-1242. ISSN 2007-8706.  https://doi.org/10.7550/rmb.35723.

We report 7 species of mesostigmatid mites associated to Dendroctonus rhizophagus. Samples were taken in the state of Chihuahua (June and July 2008-2011). The roots of Pinus arizonica were observed under the microscope to obtain mites associated to D. rhizophagus and their galleries. Collection from Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP) and Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) were reviewed. Dendrolaelaps neocornutus, Macrocheles boudreauxi, Proctolaelaps hystrix, P. subcorticalis, Trichouropoda ovalis, T. polytricha, Trichouropoda sp. 2, Lasioseius imitans, and Androlaelaps casalis were found in galleries and on the insect's body, located mainly on gular zone and ventral sternites. The species found in the galleries can find a wide availability of food resources with constant temperature and above all protection from other predators. With this study the number of species associated to D. rhizophagus is increased for the state of Chihuahua, and the general distribution of these mites in Mexico is expanded.

Keywords : Scolytinae; mites; predatory; phoresy; Pinus arizonica.