TYDEIDS (ACARIFORMES, TYDEIDAE) OF THE FAUNA IN ARMENIA

As is known, the interest of acarologists in tydeid mites (Acariformes, Tydeidae) which are of great theoretical and practical importance has increased in recent years. Mites of the Tydeidae family have been studied very poorly in general and have not been studied at all in Armenia. Being one of the dominant groups of mites on plants, the family includes both predators that feed on herbivorous mites and plant pests. It should also be noted that many tydeid species are themselves food for a number of acariphages, especially those from the Phytoseiidae family. All of the above evidences the relevance of this field. The study presents results of the research conducted for tydeid mites in Armenia for 2020–2021. Previously unknown information on the species composition and spread of tydeid mites, as well as a number of issues of their biology, ecology and morphology were given. The presented study is based on the data of our own collections of tydeid mites (Acariformes, Tydeidae) from Armenia. For the first time, the following four species of mites were recorded for the fauna of Armenia: Tydeus kochi, Oudemans, 1928; Tydeus caudatus, Dugès, 1834; Tydeus mali, Oudemans, 1929 and the mite of the genus Lorryia Oudemans, 1925. Their role and significance was shown in the orchard ecosystem. The types of identified species are stored in the collections of the Laboratory of Experimental Zoology of the Institute of Zoology of the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of the Republic of Armenia National Academy of Sciences.