Incidence and Diversity of Mite Species Associated with The Red Palm Weevil, Rhynochophorus ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) at Beheira Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Various species belonging to the genus Rhynchophorus are widely distributed, the red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is a beetle species that relies on palm trees to complete its life cycle. The larvae of RPW feed on the trunk of the palm tree, which can lead to the tree's death, causing significant damage to both wild and cultivated palm trees in various countries. Invasive populations of the red palm weevil (RPW) have caused significant economic and biodiversity losses, leading to its classification as a major pest. It infests various palm species in Egypt and has been designated by the FAO of the United Nations as a "category-1" insect pest of date palms in the Middle East and Africa. An incidence study for the mite families associated with Rhynchophorus ferrugineus adults, cocoon and their habitats in the core of palm tree was conducted at Beheira governorate, Egypt. To throw more lights on their roles as natural enemies for the Red Palm Weevil (RPW). A total of 25 mite species belong to 13 families (Uropodidae Kramer, Macronyssidae Oud., Ascidae Oud., Ameroseiidae Evans, Digamasellidae Evans, Acarophenacide Cross, Sejidae Berlese, Pygmoforidae Cross, Scutacaridae Oud., Acaridae Ewing and Nesbitt, Histostomidae comb, Pyroglyphidae Cunliffe and Oppidae Granjeen) and four suborders (Gamasida, Actinedida, Acaridida and Oribatida) were found associated with the Red Palm Weevil (RPW).