A Preliminary survey on acarine fauna inhabiting different stored products in four districts of Malabar region, Kerala (India)

Abstract

The present paper reports for the occurrence of mites on stored products in four districts of Malabar region in Kerala which includes 33 species under 14 genera 12 families and 3 orders viz, Trombidiformes (suborder Prostigmata), Mesostigmata and Sarcoptiformes (Cohort Astigmata). The Family Cheyletidae represented as the most dominating family while Cheyletus malaccensis was the most abundant species found in stored products. The representatives of Stigmaeidae and Cunaxidae families were also dominant. Among the stored product, from pepper maximum number of mite species were identified followed by boiled rice and raw rice. Coriander represented with six species of mites whereas wheat represented with five species. This study also reported 3 species namely Lasioseius sp.1, Stigmaeus sp1 and Tydeus sp.1 which appeared to be un described and among these one species Lasioseius sp.1 which is being reported here for the first time from India inhabiting stored products.