Research article

MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF THE RED PALM MITE RAOIELLA INDICA HIRST (ACARI: TENUIPALPIDAE) IN BASRAH PROVINCE, SOUTHERN IRAQ

Abdul Karim A. Salman, Khaled A. Fahid and Labeed A. Al-Saad

Online First: December 06, 2022


Raoiella indica Hirst (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae) is a mite that feeds on a variety of plants and has been found in many countries around the world and the Middle East. In Iraq, it was found on the leaves of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) cultivars. In this study, mite specimens collected from Basrah orchards were examined microscopically and diagnosed morphologically to differentiate the Raoiella spp. This family Tetranychidae (Chelicerata: Acari) contains ~1200 species, many of which are of agricultural importance. Mitochondrial genomes of only a few Tetranychidae species are now been sequenced. The mitochondrial genomes of Tetranychidae are essential for phylogenetic analysis and population genetics. The mitochondrial genome of Raoiella indica (Family Tetranychidae), a widespread palm pest, was sequenced in this study. The central region of the mitochondrial COI region has been extensively studied for intra- and interspecific variation. All of these researches add up to a large database of sequencing information for the Tetranychidae family. This is the first research on red date palm mites on date palm trees in Iraq to our knowledge. Future research is needed, including surveys, biological studies, and host determination, as well as effect assessments and control measures.

Keywords

red palm mite, Raoiella indica, Hirst