The Jean Gutierrez spider mite collection.

Area of Science:

• Zoology
• Entomology
• Acarology

Background:

• The family Tetranychidae, commonly known as spider mites, includes 1,275 species, with around 100 identified as agricultural pests, and ten designated as major threats.
• Spider mites are significant agricultural pests, impacting crop yields and necessitating ongoing research for effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document and present the comprehensive spider mite (Tetranychidae) dataset from the Jean Gutierrez Collection.
• To establish a foundational resource for acarological research, particularly concerning spider mite biodiversity and distribution.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of data from the Jean Gutierrez Collection, housed at the CBGP (France), spanning specimens collected between 1963 and 1999.
• Cataloging 5,262 specimens representing 175 species and 1,564 unique occurrences (species/host plant/date/location).

Main Results:

• The dataset comprises 5,262 spider mite specimens, covering 175 species and 1,564 occurrences.
• Geographical focus of the collection includes Madagascar, Western Indian Ocean islands, New Caledonia, South Pacific islands, and Papuasia.
• This collection represents the most extensive global dataset on Tetranychidae currently available.

Conclusions:

• The Jean Gutierrez Collection provides an unparalleled dataset for the study of spider mites (Tetranychidae).
• This resource is vital for advancing research on spider mite taxonomy, biogeography, and their role as agricultural pests.