México occupies the 6th place in the world as a citrus-producing country, the State of Tamaulipas has 44,000 ha of citrus crops. Phytophagous mites are the most important citrus pests, these species diminish fruit production and quality.
The main objectives of this study were to determine the type of spatial distribution and the seasonal abundance of Texas citrus mite (Eutetranychus banksi McGregor), citrus rust mite (Phyllocoptruta oleivora Ashmead), the false citrus spider mite (Brevipalpus californicus G.) and the predatory mite Euseius mesembrinus Dean, in the area of Güémez, Tam. México. In order to determine the consistency of the obtained results, three dispersion indices were used to estimate the type of distribution of variance-mean ratio: Southwood (1966), Taylor (1966) and Green (1966) to find the most appropriate index.
During the research period April-November 2000, the phytophagous mites presented an aggregated distribution pattern and E. mesembrinus was distributed at random. Seasonal abundance was both temperature and precipitation dependent. Population peaks occurred in June-July, therefore this species was present on fruits all the time during the period of study.
Species 1: Acari Tetranychidae Eutetranychus banksi (Texas citrus mite)
Species 2: Acari Eriophyidae Phyllocoptruta oleivora (citrus rust mite)
Species 3: Acari Tenuipalpidae Brevipalpus californicus (false citrus spider mite)
Keywords: spatial distribution, Acari
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