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A contribution to the knowledge of the spider mites (Prostigmata, Tetranychidae) from Kazakhstan

Kamayev, Ilya ¹ ; Temreshev, Izbasar ² and Mukhamadiev, Nurzhan ³

¹✉ All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center (“VNIIKR”), Bykovo (Moscow Oblast); Russia.
²LLP Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh. Zhiembayev, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan.
³LLP Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh. Zhiembayev, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan.

2026 - Volume: 66 Issue: 2 pages: 497-510

https://doi.org/10.24349/7i4h-lc1x

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Original research

Keywords

fauna biodiversity pests host plants plant protection Palearctic region Central Asia

Abstract

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Introduction

Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia (a total area of 2,724.9 thousand km²) with diverse natural landscapes: steppe, semidesert, desert, mountains, including mountain coniferous forests and alpine meadows, etc., and the presence of endemic species of flora and fauna (Belyi et al., 2023; Danshin et al., 2024).

The spider mite fauna of this territory was mainly studied in the 1950s by Boris Wainstein (1954, 1956abc, 1958, 1960), who described 12 new species for science from here (see Kamayev, 2023a for more details). Taking into account the recent records, 36 spider mite species were known for the fauna of Kazakhstan (Kamayev, 2023a). For comparison with other Central Asian countries, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have 52 and 58 species of Tetranychidae, respectively (Mitrofanov et al., 1987; Strunkova, 1988; Kamayev, 2023b). It demonstrates a lack of knowledge of the fauna of the region under discussion.

In the course of the studies in 2024-2025, we found new records of spider mite species and clarified the information about the distribution of some species of Tetranychidae from different regions of Kazakhstan. Also unpublished data from the collections in 2019 was included in the present work.

Materials and methods

The collections were carried out in Almaty city and Almaty, Jambyl, Jetisu and Kostanai Regions (Kazakhstan) in 2019 and 2024-2025. The mites and leaves with mites were preserved in 70% ethanol. Microscopic preparations were made with Hoyer's medium. The mites were identified by I. Kamayev under transmitted light using phase-contrast (PH) and DIC microscopes of ZEISS Axio Imager 2 and Levenhuk MED D45T LCD and with the literature sources (Mitrofanov et al., 1980, 1987; Livshits, Mitrofanov, 1968; Flechtmann, 2013; Mahdavi et al., 2017; Kamran et al., 2024; Mirza et al., 2024, 2025). Photography of distinctive characters of some spider mite species were carried out to support the identification with Zen 2.3. Subsequent processing of the illustrations was carried out using Zerene Stacker and GIMP 2.10.30.

The materials and microscopic preparations are stored in the All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center (Bykovo, Moscow Oblast) and LLP Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh. Zhiembayev (Almaty).

The systematics of Tetranychidae, the host plants, and the world distribution of each spider mite species are based on the ''Spider Mites Web'' database (Migeon and Dorkeld, 2026). The host plants were identified by I. Temreshev. The scientific names of plants and their taxonomy are taken from the Catalogue of Life (Bánki et al., 2025).

Results and discussion

Family Tetranychidae Donnadieu, 1875

Subfamily Bryobiinae Berlese, 1913

Tribe Bryobiini Reck, 1952

Genus Bryobia Koch, 1836

Type-species: Bryobia praetiosa Koch, 1836.

Bryobia rubrioculus (Scheuten, 1857)

Bryobia redikorzevi Reck, 1947: Wainstein, 1954: 561; Wainstein, 1956a: 71; Wainstein, 1956b: 384; Wainstein, 1960: 110.

Material examined — 11 females, collected on Malus sp. and Prunus armeniaca L. (Rosaceae), roadside (43.2599°N 77.0834°E, alt. 1121 m a.s.l.), Ile-Alatau mountain range, Talgar District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 1-VIII-2019, leg. I. Kamayev & M. Mironova; 5 females, collected on Ulmus laevis Pall. (Ulmaceae), roadside (43.3854°N 77.4071°E, alt. 875 m a.s.l.), near Esik, Enbekshikazakh District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 5-VIII-2019, leg. I. Kamayev & M. Mironova.

Note about host plants — B. rubrioculus is polyphagous. Ulmus laevis is a new host plant for this spider mite species.

Bryobia ulmophila Reck, 1947

Bryobia ulmophila: Wainstein, 1956a: 71; Wainstein, 1956b: 384; Reck, 1959: 90; Livshits and Mitrofanov, 1966: 838; Mitrofanov et al., 1987: 157.

Material examined — 1 female, collected on Tilia cordata Mill. (Malvaceae), ornamental planting (43.2233°N 76.9080°E, alt. 870 m a.s.l.), Park of ''Atakent'' business cooperation center, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 23-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & N. Mukhamadiev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds on 7 plant species from 5 families, including Tilia sp. (Malvaceae).

Remarks — Wainstein (1960) synonymized B. ulmophila with B. redikorzevi (currently a junior synonym of B. rubrioculus) based on the lack of differences in morphometry (the ratio of leg I length to body length) and trophic ecology. Afterwards Livshits and Mitrofanov (1966) conducted a reinstatement of B. ulmophila as valid species, with an indication of its distribution in Kazakhstan.

Tribe Hystrichonychini Pritchard & Baker, 1955

Genus Tetranycopsis Canestrini, 1889

Type-species: Tetranychus horridus Canestrini & Fanzago, 1876.

Tetranycopsis spiraeae Reck, 1948

Figure 1A

Material examined — 1 female, 1 deutonymph, collected on Spiraea hypericifolia L. (Rosaceae) (43.8430°N 76.3559°E, alt. 560 m a.s.l.), Kurty river bank, Ile District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 26-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Distinctive characters. This species differs from the 9 currently known species of the genus Tetranycopsis (Migeon and Dorkeld, 2026) by the short dorsal setae with blunted tips; length of the dorsocentral setae c1 and d1 is less than the distance between the rows of dorsocentral setae (Fig. 1). In addition, the cuticle is dense and pigmented, and the microsculpture on the dorsal surface of the body has a species-specific pattern.

Note about host plants — This species feeds on Spiraea spp. (Rosaceae) and Ephedra procera C.A.Mey. (Ephedraceae).

Remarks — Tetranycopsis spiraeae is known from Central Asian countries: Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. This species was recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time.

Subfamily Tetranychinae Berlese, 1913

Tribe Eurytetranychini Reck, 1950

Genus Eurytetranychus Oudemans, 1931

Type-species: Tetranychus latus Oudemans, 1931.

Eurytetranychus buxi (Garman, 1935)

Material examined — 8 females, 2 males, collected on Buxus sempervirens L. (Buxaceae), ornamental planting (43.2305°N 76.9767°E, alt. 1110 m a.s.l.), Kok-Tobe, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 26-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds mainly on Buxus spp. (Buxaceae).

Remarks — Eurytetranychus buxi is known from Central Asia: Uzbekistan. This species was recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time.

Eurytetranychus furcisetus Wainstein, 1956

Eurytetranychus furcisetus: Wainstein, 1956c: 1146; Wainstein, 1960: 224; Mitrofanov et al., 1987: 74; Kamayev, 2023a: 1030.

Material examined — 7 females, collected on Picea schrenkiana Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Pinaceae), mountain spruce forest (43.1596°N 77.0346°E, alt. 1620 m a.s.l.), Akbulak Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 22-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 9 females, collected on P. schrenkiana, ornamental planting (43.1601°N 77.0588°E, alt. 1680 m a.s.l.), Medeu (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 24-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 14 females, collected on P. schrenkiana, mountain spruce forest (43.1289°N 76.9529°E, alt. 1690 m a.s.l.), Big Almaty Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 27-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds on Picea spp. and Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinaceae).

Remarks — This species was described by Wainstein (1956c) from Kamenskoe Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), suburb of Almaty (Kazakhstan).

Tribe Tenuipalpoidini Pritchard & Baker, 1955

Genus Tenuipalpoides Reck & Bagdasarian, 1948

Type-species: Tenuipalpoides zizyphus Reck & Bagdasarian, 1948 by original designation.

Tenuipalpoides zizyphus Reck & Bagdasarian, 1948

Figure 1B

Material examined — 2 females, collected on Spiraea lasiocarpa Kar. & Kir. (Rosaceae) (43.1513°N 76.5969°E, alt. 1080 m a.s.l.), foothills of Ile-Alatau mountain range, near Zhandosovo, Karasay District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 25-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — Reck (1959) noted Caragana arborescens Lam. and C. halodendron (Pall.) Dum. Cours. (Fabaceae) as the host plants of T. zizyphus (p. 44). Also on this page, in footnote 1 for T. zizyphus, he wrote that ''In original description of the species, jujube [Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (Rhamnaceae)] was erroneously indicated as a host plant.''. As shown in our study, Spiraea lasiocarpa is a new host plant for T. zizyphus.

Remarks — Tenuipalpoides zizyphus was unknown for the fauna of Central Asia. This species was recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time.

Tribe Tetranychini Reck, 1950

Genus Amphitetranychus Oudemans, 1931

Type-species: Tetranychus viennensis Zacher, 1920.

Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher, 1920)

Tetranychus (Amphitetranychus) viennensis: Wainstein, 1954: 561; Wainstein, 1960: 164.

Tetranychus (Amphitetranychus) crataegi: Wainstein, 1956a: 72; Wainstein, 1956b: 387.

Material examined — 4 females, 2 males, collected on Prunus armeniaca, ornamental planting (43.1842°N 76.8631°E, alt. 1012 m a.s.l.), territory of Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 7-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 4 females, collected on Prunus spinosa L. and P. cerasifera Ehrh. (Rosaceae), mountain forest (43.1623°N 77.0504°E, alt. 1610 m a.s.l.), slope of Mokhnatka mountain, Medeu (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 22-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — Amphitetranychus viennensis is polyphagous; this species is often recorded on the Rosaceae plant species.

Remarks — According to studies of the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine experts, A. viennensis is one of the key pests of fruit crops in Kazakhstan.

Genus Eotetranychus Oudemans, 1931

Type-species: Trombidium tiliarium Hermann,1804 by original designation (but erroneously referred to as Acarus telarius Linnaeus, 1758).

Eotetranychus latifrons Wainstein, 1954

Schizotetranychus (Eotetranychus) latifrons: Wainstein, 1954: 562; Wainstein, 1956a: 72; Wainstein, 1956b: 387; Wainstein, 1960: 198; Mitrofanov et al., 1987: 90.

Material examined — 2 females, 1 male, collected on Spiraea hypericifolia (43.8430°N 76.3559°E, alt. 580 m a.s.l.), Kurty river bank, Ile District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 26-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds on Rosa spp. (Rosaceae) and Morus sp. (Moraceae) (Wainstein, 1954, 1960; Mitrofanov et al., 1987; Strunkova, 1988). Spiraea hypericifolia is a new host plant for E. latifrons.

Remarks — This species was described from suburb of Shymkent, Southern Kazakhstan, by Wainstein (1954).

Eotetranychus populi (Koch, 1838)

Schizotetranychus (Eotetranychus) salicicola: Wainstein, 1956a: 72; Wainstein, 1956b: 387.

Schizotetranychus (Eotetranychus) populi: Wainstein, 1960: 192; Mitrofanov et al., 1987: 98.

Material examined — 6 females, 2 males, collected on Populus nigra var. italica (Moench) Koehne (Salicaceae), ornamental planting (43.1630°N 77.0498°E, alt. 1611 m a.s.l.), Medeu (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 8-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species has been recorded from more than 35 plant species belonging to 9 families, including Populus spp.

Eotetranychus pruni (Oudemans, 1931)

Schizotetranychus (Eotetranychus) viticola Reck, 1948: Wainstein, 1954: 562.

Schizotetranychus (Eotetranychus) pruni: Wainstein, 1956a: 72; Wainstein, 1960: 182.

Material examined — 12 females, 3 males, collected on Corylus avellana L. (Betulaceae), Crataegus ×dsungarica Zabel ex Lange (Rosaceae), mountain spruce forest (43.1605°N 77.0479°E, alt. 1635 m a.s.l.), slope of Mokhnatka mountain, Medeu (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 8-X-2024 and 22-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 6 females, 4 males, collected on Sorbus aucuparia L., Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh. [= M. sieversii (Ledeb.) M. Roem.], Rubus caesius L. (Rosaceae), Lonicera altmannii Regel & Schmalh., and L. caerulea L. (Caprifoliaceae), mountain spruce forest (43.1289°N 76.9529°E, alt. 1690 m a.s.l.), Big Almaty Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 27-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 2 females, 2 males, collected on Betula pubescens Ehrh. (Betulaceae) (43.2587°N 76.9679°E, alt. 802 m a.s.l.), Central Park, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 28-VIII-2025, leg. N. Mukhamadiev, I. Kamayev, & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species has been recorded from more than 40 plant species belonging to 10 families. Betula pubescens, Crataegus ×dsungarica, Lonicera altmannii, L. caerulea, and Rubus caesius are new host plants for E. pruni.

Remarks — According to studies of the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine experts, E. pruni is one of the significant pests of fruit crops in Kazakhstan.

Eotetranychus thujae (McGregor, 1950)

Eotetranychus thujae: Kamayev, 2023a: 1032.

Material examined — 10 females, 1 male, collected on Thuja occidentalis L. (Cupressaceae), ornamental planting (43.1840°N 76.8875°E, alt. 1034 m a.s.l.), First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Park, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 19-VIII-2025, leg. N. Mukhamadiev, I. Kamayev, & I. Temreshev; 3 females, collected on T. occidentalis, ornamental planting (43.2242°N 76.9060°E, alt. 865 m a.s.l.), Park of ''Atakent'' business cooperation center, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 23-VIII-2025, leg. N. Mukhamadiev & I. Kamayev; 2 females, collected on Juniperus pfitzeriana (Späth) P.A. Schmidt (Cupressaceae), ornamental planting (43.2240°N 76.9137°E, alt. 866 m a.s.l.), Botanical Garden, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 9-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds on cypress plants (Cupressaceae).

Eotetranychus tiliarium (Hermann, 1804)

Figure 2

Material examined — 4 females, 3 males, collected on Tilia cordata Mill. (Malvaceae) (43.1601°N 77.0578°E, alt. 1680 m a.s.l.), Medeu (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 8-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 1 female, 1 male, collected on T. cordata, ornamental planting (43.2203°N 76.9134°E, alt. 891 m a.s.l.), Botanical Garden, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 9-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 1 female, 2 males, collected on T. cordata, ornamental planting (43.2233°N 76.9080°E, alt. 869 m a.s.l.), Park of ''Atakent'' business cooperation center, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 23-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & N. Mukhamadiev.

Note about host plants — This species has been recorded from more than 30 plant species belonging to 10 families, including Tilia cordata.

Remarks — Eotetranychus tiliarium is known from Central Asia: Kyrgyzstan. This species was recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time.

Genus Neotetranychus Trägårdh, 1915

Type-species: Neotetranychus rubi Trägårdh, 1915 by original designation.

Neotetranychus rubi Trägårdh, 1915

Figure 3A

Material examined — 10 females, 2 males, collected on Rubus idaeus L. (Rosaceae), mountain spruce forest (43.1592°N 77.0462°E, alt. 1654 m a.s.l.), slope of Mokhnatka mountain, Medeu (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 8-X-2024 and 22-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 8 females, 3 males, collected on R. idaeus and R. caesius, mountain spruce forest (43.1289°N 76.9529°E, alt. 1690 m a.s.l.), Big Almaty Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 27-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds mostly on species of Rubus genus. Rubus caesius is a new host plant for N. rubi.

Remarks — Neotetranychus rubi wasn′t listed for the fauna of Central Asia. This species was recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time.

Genus Oligonychus Berlese, 1886

Type-species: Heteronychus brevipodus Targioni Tozzetti, 1878.

Oligonychus karamatus (Ehara, 1956)

Oligonychus karamatus: Kamayev, 2023a: 1032.

Material examined — 6 females, collected on Larix sp. (Pinaceae), ornamental planting (43.2191°N 76.9152°E, alt. 885 m a.s.l.), Botanical Garden, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 9-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds mostly on species of Larix genus.

Oligonychus piceae (Reck, 1953)

Oligonychus piceae: Wainstein, 1960: 212; Kamayev, 2023a: 1032.

Material examined. Material examined. 8 females, 1 male, collected on Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinaceae), ornamental planting (43.1844°N 76.8642°E, alt. 1012 m a.s.l.), territory of Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 7-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 5 females, collected on Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold (Pinaceae), ornamental planting (43.1600°N 77.0580°E, alt. 1673 m a.s.l.), Medeu (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 8-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 16 females, 2 males, collected on P. nigra and P. sylvestris, ornamental plantings (43.2245°N 76.9281°E, alt. 877 m a.s.l.), Esentai riverfront, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 10-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 12 females, 1 male, collected on P. sylvestris, ornamental planting (43.2235°N 76.9074°E, alt. 870 m a.s.l.), Park of ''Atakent'' business cooperation center, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 23-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & N. Mukhamadiev.

Note about host plants — This species has mainly been recorded on Pinus and Picea species (Pinaceae).

Oligonychus ununguis (Jacobi, 1905)

Paratetranychus ununguis: Wainstein, 1956a: 72.

Oligonychus ununguis: Wainstein, 1960: 212.

Material examined — 8 females, 2 males, collected on Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. and Picea pungens Engelm. (Pinaceae), ornamental plantings (43.1844°N 76.8642°E, alt. 1012 m a.s.l.), territory of Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 7-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 28 females, 2 males, collected on P. abies, P. schrenkiana, Juniperus sp., Thuja occidentalis, ornamental plantings (43.2161°N 76.9171°E, alt. 894 m a.s.l.), Botanical Garden, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 9-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 18 females, 2 males, collected on Chamaecyparis sp. and T. occidentalis (Cupressaceae), ornamental plantings (43.2258°N 76.9271°E, alt. 877 m a.s.l.), Esentai riverfront, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 10-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 6 females, 1 male, collected on P. abies, P. pungens, P. schrenkiana, Juniperus pfitzeriana, ornamental plantings (43.1853°N 76.8855°E, alt. 1028 m a.s.l.), First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Park, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 19-VIII-2025, leg. N. Mukhamadiev, I. Kamayev, & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species is polyphagous; it has been recorded on more than 100 plant species from 12 families.

Remarks — According to observations of I. Temreshev, in Almaty this spider mite species harmed coniferous ornamental plantings, especially spruce trees.

Genus Panonychus Yokoyama, 1929

Type-species: Panonychus mori Yokoyama, 1929=Tetranychus citri McGregor, 1916.

Panonychus ulmi (Koch, 1836)

Material examined — 1 female, collected on Ulmus laevis, forest belt (45.8618°N 81.6566°E, alt. 363 m a.s.l.), near Koktuma, Jetisu Region, Kazakhstan, 03-VII-2025, leg. I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species is polyphagous; it has been recorded on more than 160 plant species from 41 families. Ulmus laevis is a new host plant for this spider mite species.

Remarks — Wainstein (1956a: 73, 1960: 203) specially noted, that P. ulmi was not recorded in Kazakhstan. Also, this spider mite species was not listed for Kazakhstan by Mitrofanov et al. (1987). In the recent works Kazakhstan scientists didn′t indicate P. ulmi as a pest of fruit crops (e.g., see Kairova et al. 2013, Absatarova et al. 2017). This cosmopolitan species was reliably recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time.

Genus Schizotetranychus Trägårdh, 1915

Type-species: Tetranychus schizopus Zacher, 1913 by original designation.

Schizotetranychus avetjanae Bagdasarian, 1954

Figures 1C, 3B

Material examined — 4 females, 1 male, collected on Spiraea hypericifolia (43.8265°N 76.3600°E, alt. 566 m a.s.l.), Kurty river bank, Ile District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 26-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds on Spiraea sp. (Rosaceae) and Hypericum androsaemum L. (Hypericaceae).

Remarks — Schizotetranychus avetjanae was unknown for the fauna of Central Asia. This species was recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time.

Schizotetranychus brachypodii Livshits & Mitrofanov, 1968

Figure 3C

Material examined — 1 female, 2 males, collected on Calamogrostis sp. (Poaceae), mountain spruce forest (43.1291°N 76.9545°E, alt. 1708 m a.s.l.), Big Almaty Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 27-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 1 female, 2 males, collected on Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P. Beauv. (Poaceae), mountain spruce forest (43.1616°N 77.0499°E, alt. 1631 m a.s.l.), slope of Mokhnatka mountain, Medeu (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 22-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds on Brachypodium sylvaticum (Livshits and Mitrofanov, 1968; Mitrofanov et al., 1987). Calamogrostis sp. is a new host plant for S. brachypodii.

Remarks — Schizotetranychus brachypodii was unknown for the fauna of Central Asia. This species was recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time.

Schizotetranychus schizopus (Zacher, 1913)

Schizotetranychus schizopus: Kamayev, 2023a: 1032.

Material examined — 5 females, 1 male, collected on Salix alba L. (Salicaceae) (43.1619°N 77.0396°E, alt. 1571 m a.s.l.), Akbulak Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 22-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 4 females, collected on Salix sp. (Salicaceae), forest belt (43.6307°N 78.3727°E, alt. 618 m a.s.l.), near Shelek town, Enbekshikazakh District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 20-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds mainly on Salix and Populus.

Genus Stigmaeopsis Banks, 1917

Type-species: Stigmaeopsis celarius Banks, 1917.

Stigmaeopsis malkovskii (Wainstein, 1956)

Schizotetranychus malkovskii: Wainstein, 1956a: 81; Wainstein, 1960: 175; Mitrofanov et al., 1987: 101.

Material examined — 6 females, 1 male, collected on Bromus sp. and Calamagrostis pseudophragmites (Haller f.) Koeler (Poaceae), forest belt (43.6307°N 78.3727°E, alt. 618 m a.s.l.), near Shelek town, Enbekshikazakh District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 20-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — Stigmaeopsis malkovskii was found by Wainstein (1956a) on Calamagrostis sp. (Poaceae). Calamagrostis pseudophragmites and Bromus sp. are new host plants for this spider mite species.

Remarks — Stigmaeopsis malkovskii was described from Pavlodar Region, Northern Kazakhstan (Wainstein, 1956a). This species was not previously recorded from South-East Kazakhstan.

Genus Tetranychus Dufour, 1832

Type-species: Tetranychus lintearius Dufour, 1832.

Tetranychus gladioli Livshits & Mitrofanov, 1980

Figure 3D

Material examined — 10 females, 2 males, collected on Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. & A. Gray (Cucurbitaceae), ornamental planting (43.3595°N 76.9790°E, alt. 668 m a.s.l.), Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 29-VII-2019, leg. I. Kamayev & M. Mironova; 13 females, 5 males, collected on Artemisia vulgaris L. (Asteraceae) and Rosa sp. (43.2799°N 77.7157°E, alt. 1558 m a.s.l.), Turgen Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), Enbekshikazakh District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 5-VIII-2019, leg. I. Kamayev & M. Mironova; 4 females, 2 males, collected on Urtica cannabina L. (Urticaceae), roadside (43.1630°N 77.0498°E, alt. 1611 m a.s.l.), Medeu (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 8-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 4 females, 1 male, collected on Populus tremula L. (Salicaceae), mountain spruce forest (43.1291°N 76.9545°E, alt. 1708 m a.s.l.), Big Almaty Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 27-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species was registered on 14 plant species from 9 families. Artemisia vulgaris, Echinocystis lobata, Populus tremula, Rosa sp., and Urtica cannabina are new host plants for T. gladioli.

Remarks — This species was unknown for the fauna of Central Asia. T. gladioli was recorded from Kazakhstan for the first time.

Tetranychus przhevalskii Reck, 1956

Tetranychus przhevalskii: Wainstein, 1960: 158.

Polynychus (Reckiella) przhevalskii (Reck, 1956): Mitrofanov et al., 1987: 138.

Figure 3E

Material examined — 2 females, 1 male, collected on Miscanthus sinensis Andersson (Poaceae), ornamental planting (43.2154°N 76.9181°E, alt. 897 m a.s.l.), Botanical Garden, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 9-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 1 female, 1 male, collected on Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv (Poaceae), forest belt (43.6307°N 78.3727°E, alt. 621 m a.s.l.), near Shelek town, Enbekshikazakh District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 20-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 4 females, 1 male, collected on Lolium perenne L. (Poaceae) (43.1619°N 77.0396°E, alt. 1571 m a.s.l.), Akbulak Gorge (Ile-Alatau mountain range), area of Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 22-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 8 females, 5 males, collected on Triticum aestivum L. (Poaceae), crop planting (53.4265°N 63.3915°E, alt. 182 m a.s.l.), 25 km northwest of Kostanay, Kostanay Region, Kazakhstan, 15-VIII-2025, leg. N. Sultanova.

Note about host plants — This species feeds mainly on Poaceae. Lolium perenne, Miscanthus sinensis, and Setaria viridis are new host plants for T. przhevalskii.

Remarks — Tetranychus przhevalskii was listed for Kazakhstan by Wainstein (1960), but without detailed information about the distribution of the species in this region.

Tetranychus similis Wainstein, 1958

Tetranychus similis: Wainstein, 1958: 455; Wainstein, 1960: 159; Mitrofanov et al., 1987: 129.

Figures 3F, 4

Material examined — 10 females, 2 males, collected on Juniperus pfitzeriana, ornamental planting (43.2240°N 76.9137°E, alt. 866 m a.s.l.), Botanical Garden, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 9-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 6 females, 1 male, collected on J. pfitzeriana, ornamental planting (43.2195°N 76.9105°E, alt. 885 m a.s.l.), Botanical Garden, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 27-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 3 females, 1 male, collected on Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae), roadside (43.1567°N 76.5957°E, alt. 1037 m a.s.l.), near Zhandosovo, Karasay District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 25-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species feeds on Apiaceae: Eryngium sp.; Asteraceae: Artemisia sp., Centaurea sp.; Convolvulaceae: Convolvulus sp.; Malvaceae: Gossypium sp.; Poaceae: Bromus sp. Two host plant species, Juniperus pfitzeriana and Achillea millefolium, are new for T. similis. Outbreak of this spider mite species on J. pfitzeriana in Almaty city, Kazakhstan, is shown on Fig. 4.

Remarks — Tetranychus similis was described by Wainstein (1958) from Western Kazakhstan. This species was recorded from South-East Kazakhstan for the first time.

Tetranychus turkestani (Ugarov & Nikolskii, 1937)

Tetranychus turkestani: Wainstein, 1958: 455; Wainstein, 1960: 155; Pashchenko et al., 1975: 165.

Material examined — 6 females, 2 males, collected on Solanum nigrum L. (Solanaceae), roadside (43.5389°N 73.9123°E, alt. 503 m a.s.l.), 4 km from Birlikustem, Shu District, Jambyl Region, Kazakhstan, 3-VIII-2019, leg. I. Kamayev & M. Mironova; 4 females, 4 males, collected on Juglans regia L. (Juglandaceae), Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Fabaceae) and Elaeagnus commutata Bernh. ex Rydb. (Elaeagnaceae), ornamental plantings (43.2178°N 76.9378°E, alt. 910 m a.s.l.), Esentai riverfront, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 10-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev; 1 female, 1 male, collected on Helianthus annuus L. (Asteraceae), crop planting (53.2842°N 63.8692°E, alt. 193 m a.s.l.), 14 km northeast of Kostanay, Kostanay Region, Kazakhstan, 15-VIII-2025, leg. N. Sultanova; 8 females, 3 males, collected on Sophora pachycarpa Schrenk ex C.A. Mey (Fabacea) and Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. (Tamaricaceae) (43.6294°N 76.5518°E, alt. 622 m a.s.l.), Sorbulak lakeside, Ile District, Almaty Region, Kazakhstan, 26-VIII-2025, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species is polyphagous. Elaeagnus commutata, Sophora pachycarpa, and Tamarix ramosissima are new host plants for T. turkestani.

Remarks — Our research confirms the conclusion of Wainstein (1958, 1960) about the widespread distribution of T. turkestani in Kazakhstan (compared to T. urticae). According to the studies of the Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine experts, T. turkestani has importance as one of the key non-specialized plant pests in studied region.

Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1835

Tetranychus urticae: Pashchenko et al., 1975: 167.

Material examined — 14 females, 4 males, collected on Populus sp. (Salicaceae), greenhouse (43.1837°N 76.8637°E, alt. 1014 m a.s.l.), Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 7-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev; 2 females, 2 males, collected on Ulmus glabra Huds. (Ulmaceae) (43.2157°N 76.9171°E, alt. 896 m a.s.l.), Botanical Garden, Almaty city, Kazakhstan, 9-X-2024, leg. I. Kamayev & I. Temreshev.

Note about host plants — This species is polyphagous.

Remarks — Wainstein (1958, 1960) pointed out that his previous records of T. urticae from Kazakhstan (Wainstein, 1954, 1956a, 1956b) were identical to the species T. turkestani.

Conclusion

Of the 26 collected species of Tetranychidae, 9 following species of Tetranychidae were recorded for the first time for the fauna of Kazakhstan (the asterisks mark new records for Central Asia): Eotetranychus tiliarium, Eurytetranychus buxi, Neotetranychus rubi^*, Panonychus ulmi, Schizotetranychus avetjanae^*, Schizotetranychus brachypodii^*, Tenuipalpoides zizyphus^*, Tetranychus gladioli^*, and Tetranycopsis spiraeae. The distribution of Stigmaeopsis malkovskii, Tetranychus przhevalskii, and Tetranychus similis have also been indicated for South-East Kazakhstan. Thus, based on the previous and current investigations, the fauna of spider mites in Kazakhstan has 45 species.

A few notes should be made about the ecology of spider mites from Kazakhstan. So, Eotetranychus tiliarium and Eurytetranychus buxi as well as Eotetranychus thujae and Oligonychus karamatus were detected only on ornamental plantings of urban area, whereas the rest of thespecies are found in natural ecosystems or both. In the latter case, an interesting example is Tetranychus similis that develops on Achillea millefolium in the semi-desert-steppe ecosystems, and in the urban area outbreaks on Juniperus pfitzeriana. Also, the complex of species, including Schizotetranychus avetjanae, Tenuipalpoides ziziphus, Tetranycopsis spiraeae, and Eotetranychus latifrons, associated with plants of Spiraea in arid conditions, has been established.

The spider mite species associated with Poaceae differ in their biotopic distribution. Tetranychus przhevalskii is relatively eurybiont and probably widespread in Kazakhstan as inhabits various Poaceae in steppe agrocenoses (on Triticum aestivum), semi-desert forest belts, urban area and open sites of mountain forest ecosystems. On the contrary, Schizotetranychus brachypodii and Stigmaeopsis malkovskii are stenotopic species, because the first species inhabits grass plants in mountain forests, while the second one lives in a semi-desert and steppe ecosystems.

As a result of the conducted study, new data on host plants have been obtained for the following species of Tetranychidae: Bryobia rubrioculus, Eotetranychus latifrons, Eotetranychus pruni, Neotetranychus rubi, Panonychus ulmi, Schizotetranychus brachypodii, Stigmaeopsis malkovskii, Tenuipalpoides zizyphus, Tetranychus gladioli, Tetranychus przhevalskii, Tetranychus similis, and Tetranychus turkestani.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank N. Sultanova and M. Mironova for their help in collecting mites.

This study was carried out within the framework of the agreements on scientific cooperation between All-Russian Plant Quarantine Center, Bykovo, Russia, and LLP Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh. Zhiembayev, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan.

The work of specialists of LLP Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine named after Zh. Zhiembayev was carried out within the framework of the project BR 22885887 ''Improvement and implementation of pest management system'' of Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

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