Mite fauna on Dittrichia species (Asteraceae) in Syrian costal region: new records and primary observations on the behavior of Typhloseiella isotricha (Athias-Henriot) (Meostigmata: Phytoseiidae)

Surveys of mite fauna on Dittrichia viscosa and D. graveolens (Asteraceae) were conducted at multiple locations in Tartous and Latakia governorates, Syria, in 2021 and 2022. A total of 13 mite species belonging to seven families (Acaridae, Camerobiidae, Erythraeidae, Phytoseiidae, Raphignathidae, Tenuipalpidae, and Tetranychidae) were collected. Among them, Erythraeus (Zaracarus) passidonicus (Erythraeidae), Raphignathus collegiatus (Raphignathidae), and Brevipalpus rotai (Tenuipalpidae) are recorded for the first time in Syria. The most abundant family observed on Dittrichia species was Phytoseiidae with four species representing about 86% of total collected mite specimens. Among them, Typhloseiella isotricha was the dominant species. It was mainly observed on big leaves of D. viscosa, highly infected by the rust spots of Coleosporium inulae. Results suggest that rust spores could be a potential food for this predator.