Soil-dwelling predatory mites in citrus: Their potential as natural enemies of thrips with special reference to Pezothrips kellyanus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

► Pezothrips kellyanus was the most abundant of the nine thrips species found in the soil. ► Fifteen species of soil-dwelling predatory mites were found. ► Higher abundance of Hypoaspis aculeifer correlated with lower populations of P. kellyanus. ► The use of Chlorpyrifos did not affect the abundance of the soil predatory mites. ► The abundance of the soil predatory mites increased after compost addition.