ABSTRACT
The predatory mites inhabiting soil or vegetation, represented by six families belonging to two orders: Mesostigmata (Phytoseiidae, Laelapidae, Ascidae, Rhodacaridae and Melicharidae) and Prostigmata (represented by Stigmaeidae), can be used in organic farming to reduce pesticides in the field. Sixty predatory mites belonging to six families were recorded in Egypt. Also, the phytoseiid mite species are successfully used as biocontrol agents in controlling phytophagous mites, thrips and whitefly. The stigmaeid mite, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez is one of the most important predaceous mites which can attack pests of the families Tetranychidae and Eriophyidae as well as scale insects and whitefly in the file crops and orchards.
