A new predatory mite species of the genus Agistemus (Agistemus officinarumus) Acari: Stigmaeide from Pakistan

Mites are minute arthropods and microscopic in size. They are present in wide range of habitat where life is possible. They are the biologically most diverse, abundant arachnids and worldwide in distribution in all types of habitat. Mites of family stigmaeide are well known predators against plant feeding mites and small soft bodied insects. A random survey was conducted to explore the mite fauna from Punjab (Pakistan). A new record of genus Agistemus (Agistemus officinarumus) collected from different localities of city Layyah from sugarcane crop (Saccharum officinarum). Seventeen paratype females were also collected from the cities of Jhang and Bakhar. The description and illustration of main body parts, host range and comparison remarks are also given in this manuscript. All specimens were deposited in Acarology Research Laboratory, Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

Keywords: Acari, Agistemus, new species, predatory mite