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Editorial Book
OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 15-Sep-2026 | Pages: 139-162 |
Mites are tiny, ubiquitous arthropod organisms distributed in a wide array of habits and habitats. In agroecosystems, mites have multifaceted roles, from pests to predators and even the soil engineers. The phytophagous mites of families, mainly Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae, Tarsonemidae and Eriphyiodae wreak havoc on the crop plants by feeding on the plant tissues, transmitting viruses and eventually killing the plant in the long run. Their microscopic nature helps them to avoid early detection, usually their population is visible after they have crossed the ETL. Many of these mites have polyphagous nature and are able to feed on a wide array of host plants, making their control even more difficult. But not all mites are harmful, predatory mites of families Phytoseiidae, Laelapidae, Bdellidae etc., feed on other mites and soft bodied insects, reducing their populations. The soil-inhabiting mites, in addition to killing soil pests, also help to improve soil quality and structure by forming soil aggregates. This chapter deals with the different roles mites play in Agroecosystems, focusing mainly on the plantation and fruit crops.
Mites, Crop Pest, Biocontrol, IPM, Sustainable Agriculture
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