ACARINE PREDATORS OF NORTH KERALA, INDIA

This is an authentic record of the work done on the biosystematic and biocontrol aspects of predatory mites inhabiting various economically important plants and a few stored ecosystems of North Kerala, India. A total of 45 species of predatory mites representing 9 genera, 7 subgenera and 5 families under 2 suborders viz. Mesostigmata and Prostigmata could be recovered during the study and out of these 20 species belonging to 5 genera were new taxa, some of which have been published elsewhere. Systematic descriptions of 32 species of predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae, 6 species of Cheyletidae, 3 species of Cunaxidae, 2 species of Bdellidae and 2 species of Stigmaeidae have been included. Morphological characters have been illustrated with appropriate drawings, data on synonyms, distribution, host range etc. along with keys. Potential of selected species for the biological control of spider mite pests along with data on their developmental parameters have been included. The book will impart guidelines for the UG/PG students, Research Scholars and Scientists in Agricultural Entomology & Acarology, biological control of pests etc.