Linden trees are favourable host plants for phytoseiid generalists in urban environment

Abstract

The assemblages of phytoseiid mites on the leaves of Tilia cordata and T. platyphyllos planted in heterogeneous urban habitats were studied. Six phytoseiid species, namely, Euseius finlandicus, E. gallicus, Neoseiulella tiliarum, N. aceri, Paraseiulus talbii, and Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) pyri, were found on the studied linden leaves. The results indicate that both T. cordata and T. platyphyllos may serve as favourable host plants for the generalists E. finlandicus and N. tiliarum in urban environments. Both generalist predatory species preferred sheltered leaf microhabitats. The first record of E. gallicus in central Europe and the consistent occurrence of other phytoseiid species on the surveyed linden trees confirm the important role of urban greenery in landscape biodiversity.