Predatory mites fauna on medicinal and aromatic plants from Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, West Bengal, India

A regular survey was conducted in different places of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) region of West Bengal on 32 different medicinal and aromatic plants. A total of 41 species of predatory mites belonging to 19 genera, 7 families, under 2 orders were observed during this study. Collection data, distribution and keys are given for all taxonomic categories. Many of the species and habitats reported here are new records. Ecological and behavioral remarks on all the predatory mite species reported from Sundarban Biosphere Reserve are also presented

Acaricidal activity of nishinda (Vitex negundo) leaf and garlic (Allium sativum) bulb extract against red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in tea plantations of Darjeeling hill, West Bengal, India

The red spider mite, Oligonychus coffeae (Nietner) serves as a serious threat to the Darjeeling tea plantations affecting the quality of the leaves. Various plant extracts are currently being researched as an alternative to the chemical pesticides to control the red spider mites. In the present study, the leaves of Vitex negundo L. and the bulb of Allium sativum L. were analyzed for their acaricidal activity on the larval, nymphal and adult stages of the mite. Both the extracts were found to have potent activity against red spider mites and may prove to be potential acaricides in future