بررسی فراوانی کنه‌های اریباتید(Acari: Oribatida) در باغ‌های مرکبات تحت مدیریت‌های مختلف آفات در شهرستان بابلسر، استان مازندران، ایران

Mites are a significant component of soil biodiversity, contributing to taxonomic diversity and exhibiting a wide range of behaviors and lifestyles. They are often used as indicators of diversity, habitat quality, and ecosystem health, and play a crucial role in monitoring habitat management, particularly in soils. To investigate the effect of orchard management on the abundance of oribatid mites, a study was conducted in the citrus orchards of Babolsar County, which have various pest management programs including: a. organic garden (no spraying) and b. common garden (sprayed). We used a circular sampler (10 cm in diameter and 10 cm in depth) to collect 12 soil samples from each site. The study was carried out from February 2021 to February 2022, with samples collected once every two weeks. Specimens were extracted using the Berlese-Tullgren funnel, and the collected samples were then identified and counted. The results showed that the highest abundance of oribatid mites in the organic garden (no spraying) occurred in September, with 6,274 samples, and the lowest abundance occurred in March, with 993 samples. In the common garden (sprayed), the highest abundance was also in September, with 4,373 samples, and the lowest was in March, with 397 samples. Overall, the abundance of oribatid mites was significantly higher in the organic garden (no spraying) compared to the common garden (sprayed) on all sampling dates and months. Also, the total number of oribatid mites collected in the organic garden (no spraying) was 35,319 and in the common garden (sprayed) was 23,212. The dominant species in both citrus orchard management programs were Mycobates austroamericanus Hammer, 1958 and Oribatula (Oribatula) pallida Banks, 1906.