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Abstract
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Members of superfamily Raphignathoidea are important biological control agents of spider mites, eriophyid mites, and scale insects in agriculture and forestry. They have worldwide distribution in most of geographical regions (Fan & Zhang 2005). Up to date, 18 species of genus Eustigmaeus, 12 species of genus Raphignathus, 7 species of the genus Favognathus, 3 species of the genus Zetzelliaand 9 species of the genus Molothrognathushave been recorded from Iran (Bayzavi et al., 2013). During 2013-2015, Raphignathoid mites associated with spider mites in different orchards of Tuyserkan were studied. In this order, leaves of apricot, plum, almond, peach, apple trees which were infested by two spotted spider mites were collected in some parts of Tuyserkan and taken to the laboratory. Mites were removed from plant leaves with a No. 0 paint brush under a stereomicroscope and directly mounted in Hoyer’s medium. In total, 7 species, belonging to genera Eustigmaeus,Favognathus,Molothrognathus,Raphignathus and Zetzelliawere identified. Among them, Zetzellia pourmirzai and Zetzellia mali were found abundantly and almost with wide distribution in these areas. Identified species are listed as follow:Eustigmaeus seemani Khanjani et al., 2013; Favognathus guilanicus Khanjani et al., 2014;Molothrognathus mehrnejadi Liang & Zhang, 1997; Raphignathus zhaoi Hu et al., 1995; Raphignathus gracilis (Rack, 1962); Zetzellia pourmirzai Khanjani & Ueckermann, 2008; Zetzellia mali (Ewing, 1917).
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