Current status and prospects of applied research on using phytoseiid mites for controlling citrus pest mites

Pest mites are a significant pest group on citrus, severely impacting the green development of the citrus industry. The use of phytoseiid mites for controlling citrus pest mites is an important biological control technology with tremendous application value. This article reviews the known phytoseiid mite natural enemies of Panonychus citri McGregor and Eotetranychus kankitus Ehara, including 35 species from 10 genera. It also summarizes the potential natural enemies of these two pest mites in citrus orchards in China, comprising 39 species from 13 genera of phytoseiid mites. Additionally, the paper analyzes the current application status of Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes, Euseius nicholsi Ehara & Lee and Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans in controlling P. citri and E. kankitus. Finally, we discuss future directions such as improving phytoseiid mite strains, enhancing mass-rearing technologies, and developing an integrated pest management system centered on phytoseiid mites.