Cheyletid mites (Acari:Trombidiformes) in stored grains in Iran

In Iran, cheyletid mites (Acariformes: Cheyletidae) were collected over 15 years (1996–2010) in stored cereal. Samples were collected from silos, flour-mills, barn and rice-mills in 12 provinces scattered throughout the North, Centre, East and West of Iran. 8 genera and 13 species were recorded: Acaropsellina sollers (Kuzin, 1940), Cheletomorpha lepidopterorum (Show, 1794), Cheyletus bidentatus Fain & Nadchatrum, 1980, Cheyletus carnifex Zachvatkin, 1935, Cheyletus eruditus (Schrank, 1781), Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans, 1903, Cheyletus malayensis Culiffe, 1962; Cheyletus trouessarti Oudemans, 1903, Culifella variegata (Barilo, 1985), Lepidocheyla gracilis Volgin, 1963, Nodele calamondin Muma, 1964, Neoeucheyla iranica Fain & Ardeshir, 2000, Zachvatkiniola reticulata (Cunliffe, 1962). Cheyletus bidentatus is a new record for the mite fauna of Iran. The widespread mites were Acaropsellina sollers and Cheyletus malaccensis (the most frequent species found in all samples). The greatest presence of predatory mites (25%) was recorded in wheat and dust.