The objective of this work was to study the diversity of mites found on a coffee (Coffea arabica L.) plantation located in Atibaia County, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The study was carried out on a near 15 year old plantation of 'Catuaí Amarelo'. From 60 marked coffee plants, leaves, branches and berries were collected to evaluate the species of mites present on the plants. Twenty one species of mites belonging to 14 families were found. The highest diversity was observed on branches. The most abundant phytophagous species were Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes) (Tenuipalpidae) and Oligonychus yothersi (McGregor) (Tetranychidae). Among the predators, the mites of the families Phytoseiidae and Bdellidae were the most abundant. The phytoseiid Iphiseiodes zuluagai Denmark and Muma predominated on leaves as well as on branches. Bdella sp. (Bdellidae) was also mostly present on branches.
Acari; Brevipalpus phoenicis; Oligonychus yothersi; predaceous mites
