Abstract
The species of phytophagous mites identified for Costa Rica have not been updated since 2013, so the list was summarized by using the information available from 2013 to 2018 and incorporated into the existing one. The processed material was supplied by growers, technicians, students, and public in general, besides the material collected by the Laboratory of Acarology personnel, from the University of Costa Rica, by using the protocols developed for that matter. Seventy five new entries were introduced for this period, grouped in 30 plant families, for the 6 major phytophagous mite families. Tetranychus urticae, family Tetranychidae, was the species with the highest number of introductions, 24 in total. Various species in the genus Oligonychus were often found on a diverse number of host plants, i.e. O. gossypii, O. mcgregori, O. punicae, O. yothersi, and O. zeae. Other spider mites collected were Eotetranychus deleoni, Mononychellus sp., Panonychus citri, Schizotetranychus sp., Tetranychus cinnabarinus, T. mexicanus, and T. turkestani. Brevipalpus papayensis, B. phoenicis and B. yothersi, family Tenuipalpidae, were also collected on new host plants. Likewise, Tuckerella ornata, family Tuckerellidae, was registered, as well as another species, not identified yet. From the family Tarsonemidae, four new entries for Polyphagotarsonemus latus were included, as well as one for Phytonemus pallidus, found on a new variety of strawberry. Species from the family Eriophyidae were grouped as exposed and not exposed individuals due to most of eriophyid mite species, are not described yet, worldwide. Retracrus costaricensis, from Heliconia latispatha, was included by the correct identification, since 2012, was recorded as R. johnstoni. Symptoms description of some relevant species were included, supported by pictures of plant damage. Accordingly, the report of phytophagous mite species in Costa Rica, was updated from 2013 to 2018.
Keywords: Acari; plant feeding mites; Eotetranychus; Oligonychus; Tetranychus; Polyphagotarsonemus; Costa Rica.