INDIAN ERIOPHYOIDEA: TAXONOMIC CATALOGUE AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

The group which includes eriophyoid mites is of enormous importance among phytophagous mites not only because of the fact they attack agri-horticultural crops and suck the sap causing direct damage like devitalization of plants, reducing growth and yield, formation of galls, erinea, malformation, deformation, witche's broom effects, etc. on one hand and on the other hand act as vectors of various plant viral diseases. Contrary to their harmful roles, they have some beneficial role also and that they do by acting as biocontrol agents against weeds. Though from India over 535 species under 129 genera, 10 tribes, 8 subfamilies and 3 families have been reported but those information are very much scattered and so far no consolidated information of all the species taken together is available. The present book is a humble attempt made by the authors to consolidate the taxonomic information known so far from India along with their economic importance as pests or as vectors of viral diseases or as biocontrol agents. Expectedly, this book will help to a great extent the mite taxonomists throughout the world and will provide a strong database in respect of Indian eriophyoid mites.