Abstract
The effect of intercropping on the diversity of mesostigmatid soil mites was investigated in three types of citrus orchards of
four selected districts in replicated field experiment. Maximum Shannon diversity (H´=2.11) was recorded from citrus +
barseem intercropped orchards while minimum (H´=2.03) from citrus orchards without intercropping. Maximum mean
abundance and richness of Mesostigmata (9.22±0.57, S=4.40±0.18) was reported from citrus orchards without intercropping
while minimum values for abundance and richness (7.46±0.42. S=4.06±0.17) from citrus + wheat intercropped orchards.
Community structure of mites showed that Ameroseiidae, Ascidiae, Laelapidae, Pachylaelapidae was found maximum from
citrus orchards without intercropping Melicheridae and Phytoseiidae from citrus + wheat intercropped while, Parasitidae,
Sejidae and Uropodidae was recorded most abundant from citrus + barseem intercropped orchards.
