Population Fluctuation Of Mites Families Associated With Blackberry Plants (Rubus Fruticosus L.)

The objective of this research was to identify the families of mites associated with blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.), know its space distribution and population fluctuation in the Municipality of Sayula. A total of 5 937 mites were collected, corresponding to three orders and 13 families, the most abundant were Eriophyidae, Tetranychidae, Diptilomiopidae and Phytoseiidae, which contributed 86% of the total collected mites. The Parasitidae, Bdellidae, Cunaxidae, Iolinidae families are new records of association with blackberry plants in Mexico. Most of the families were distributed in the middle stratum of the plants. Population fluctuation increased from February, with the highest peak in May. It was observed that the number of predatory families increased as the number of phytophagous families increased. This constitutes an antecedent to carry out research on how to use more effective management strategies towards this crop.