| Sumario: | Since the pesticide use has augmented in papaya (Carica papaya L., 1753), phytophagous mite populations have increased, because of the unbalance in populations, causing considerable damage. Thus, the population dynamics and the space-temporary correlation between phytophagous and predatory mites were determined in a papaya agroecosystem in Manlio F. Altamirano, Veracruz, Mexico, with conventional management including pesticides and fertilizers. Collections of three leaves per plant were performed (high, middle and low strata, one leaf each one) in 20 plants, in nine samplings from May 2007 to September 2008. Eotetranychus lewisi (McGregor, 1943) was the most abundant species in all three strata, followed by Eutetranychus banksi (McGregor, 1914) that had major populations in the low and middle strata. The generalist predator Euseius hibisci (Chant, 1959) and the tetranychid-specialized predator Galendromus helveolus (Chant, 1959) were found. Two synchronic population peaks between the group of predatory and phytophagous mite species were found. Positive correlations (r2 from 0.5 to 0.6) between populations of phytophagous and predatory mites were found. Mean temperatures above 30 °C and monthly-accumulated rain above 200 mm caused the decline of E. banksi. Based on the above data, we recommend mite sampling to begin two months from transplant, since favorable environmental conditions for the development of phytophagous mites are present in the Central zone of the State of Veracruz.
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