Check list of Eriophyoidea Nalepa (Acari: Prostigmata) mites from Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

Eriophyoid mites (Acari: Prostigmata) are the most diverse group and certain species are economically important due to their damage potential. These mites are the most highly adapted plant feeding fauna evolved in intimate association with their host plants. The host-specific factors of the eriophyoids limit their niche exploitation and promote rapid speciation. This compilation on eriophyoidea mites records from Tamil Nadu, India comprising of 73 genera and 281 species, under three familes, Eriophyidae (56 genera and 252 species), Phytoptidae (2 genera and 2 species) and Diptilomiopidae (15 genera and 27 species). Eriophyidae is the most specious family with 56 genera and 252 species and the maximum species diversity was observed under genus Aceria Keifer with 88 species.