Determination of phytophagous mites species, their damage incidence and prevalence in peanut growing areas in Adana

This study was conducted in order to determine possible phytophagous mite species, damage and prevalence in peanut growing areas of Adana province in 2019-2020. The studies were carried out as periodic and non-periodic field surveys. Non-periodic field surveys were revealed in Ceyhan, Yumurtalık, Yüreğir and Karataş districts. Periodic field surveys were conducted in Ceyhan district, where peanut growth was the most intense in both years, and in Sarıçam district in 2020, under pesticide free field conditions. The studies were carried out between May and September in first crop peanut production season in both years. As a result of the study, Tetranychus urticae Koch red form (Acari: Tetranychidae) was determined as the most common phytophagous mite species in peanut growing areas in Adana province. The presence of T. urticae was detected in 18% of the surveyed fiels. In general, T. urticae densities varied between 0.2 and 2 total life stages /leaflets. Depending on the survey results, the highest T. urticae-infested field density was in Yumurtalık with 33%, followed by Ceyhan district with 13%. The most common predatory mite species in the sampling areas was Neoseiulus sharonensis (Riwnay&Swirskii) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Based on the results, T. urticae detected in peanut cultivation in Adana province was evaluated as a potential pest due to its low density.