Genetic diversity of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) with an overview of its distribution and implications for biological control

• A. swirskii is present in 22 countries, mainly Africa and the Middle East. occurs mostly on crops uncultivated plants of Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Solanaceae. Molecular diversity was very low all populations except those Cape Verde. Populations tested Egypt, Israel, Reunion Island, Benin were similar to commercial material. Verde population may reflect novel life history traits useful biocontrol. Amblyseius a predatory mite family Phytoseiidae that widely used biological control small insect pests. A from Israel source material now commercially marketed by several biocontrol companies. The study aimed characterize genetic variability using 12S rRNA, CytB COI mtDNA sequences, explore its geographical distribution based compilation known newly- reported occurrences, including countries where this species naturally occurs. primarily eastern Mediterranean basin Africa. has been 48 plant families, with highest number observations Rutaceae Solanaceae, crops, but also plants. one Verde; other studied not differentiated ones. results suggest commercialized natural co-occur widely, even environments. seems be distinct relatively high intra-population variation, among specimens collected single locality species. Further analyses would required determine how much observed differentiation different features, provide potential improve performance enemy.