Many insect pests and mites expose the trees to infestation, which affect their growth and productivity. Plant mites are considered among the most important of these pests that infest leaves and buds and lead to a reduction in both the quantity and quality of production, causing direct and indirect damage (Ayuso et al., 2022; Desoky et al., 2021).
       
The mites infesting fig trees include several species belonging to different families and the fig bud mite, Aceria ficus, is considered one of the most important species causing economic damage and belonging to the family Eriophyidae, as it feeds on the tissues of leaves and buds, causing growth deformities and the appearance of several different symptoms such as leaf curling or discoloration, which leads to a reduction in the efficiency of the photosynthetic process and consequently a decline in productivity (De Lillo et al., 2018). Many species associated with fig trees have been recorded, such as Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae, which is specialized on fig trees and Tetranychus urticae, which is considered one of the important pests infesting many agricultural crops and causing major economic damage when its numerical density increases (Meteab et al., 2022; Jakubowska et al., 2022).
       
The study of mite population density is considered one of the basic aspects in agricultural ecology, as it reflects the level of pest spread and the extent of its effect on the host plant. Population density is defined as the number of individuals present in a unit area or on a specific part of the plant such as the leaf or bud and these criteria are used to determine the severity of infestation and to evaluate the effect of the various environmental factors influencing the dynamics of mite populations (Paredes et al., 2021; Mohamed et al., 2022).
       
Understanding the changes that occur during the season in mite density on fig trees is of great importance in integrated pest management programs, as it helps in determining the peak periods in mite numbers and selecting the optimum timing for carrying out control measures and reducing the economic damage caused by this pest in fig orchards (Muteab and AL-Abedy, 2025; Paniagua-Jasso et al., 2024).
       
The aim of the research is to study the numerical density of mites associated with fig trees during the growing season and to determine the seasonal presence and the changes that begin in mite numbers on fig leaves during the year for the purpose of providing scientific information that helps in determining the appropriate timing for applying control measures within integrated pest management programs.

The study was conducted in one of the fig orchards in Baghdad / Abu Ghraib during the growing season of 2024. The orchard area was 5 dunums, planted with fig trees (Ficus carica L.) uniform in age (5 years), with planting distances of 5 × 5 m, for four cultivars (Bani Muslim, Turkish, Cypriot and Waziri). The orchard was divided into three sections according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD). Three uniform trees in terms of age were selected for each of the four cultivars. A unified irrigation and fertilization program was adopted for all sections to ensure the isolation of the effect of service factors from the studied variables, with complete abstention from the use of any acaricides or insecticides before and during the study period to ensure obtaining natural data representing the true population fluctuation of mites. For each of the four cultivars, each tree was considered an independent experimental unit for estimating mite numbers and for evaluating the dynamics of the numbers of the fig bud mite Aceria ficus (Cotte), the fig rust leaf mite Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae (Keifer). For each cultivar, an organized weekly sample collection methodology was adopted. The sampling mechanism was based on the vertical distribution strategy inside the tree canopy, as 15 leaves were taken from each replicate in each visit, distributed equally as 5 leaves from the upper level, 5 leaves from the middle level and 5 leaves from the lower level, to represent the variation in micro-climatic conditions and the effect of physiological position on pest preference. Then, the leaves were kept inside polyethylene bags and the leaves were transferred directly to the laboratory inside clean, shaded, cooled plastic containers to avoid the death or loss of mites during transport. Each leaf was examined under a Stereo Microscope ×50. The number of living individuals of each mite species on each leaf was determined, where the numerical density of each species was calculated, then the weekly average for each tree and for each cultivar was calculated and they were collected and analyzed on a monthly basis to facilitate comparison of seasonal changes among cultivars. The collection period lasted throughout one year to cover the seasonal activity.
 
Statistical analysis
 
The data were analyzed statistically using GenStat then analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare the numerical density among weeks, levels and the four cultivars. Curves of monthly numerical density were drawn for each mite species for each cultivar to illustrate the two seasonal peaks of mite activity.

Population density of the fig rust mite Rhyncophytoptus ficifolia on the fig cultivars waziri, Turkish, cypriot and bani muslim and at the three levels (upper, middle and lower)
 
The results of the study of the population density of the fig mite Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae on the four fig cultivars (Waziri, Turkish, Cypriot and Bani Muslim) and at the three levels, upper, middle and lower, Table (1), showed the presence of clear significant differences in mite numbers during the months of the study, as the numerical density differed according to the difference in cultivar, level and sampling date. The infestation began to appear during the second week of April and the infestation was absent during December, January, February and March for all cultivars as a result of the low temperatures during this period and their unsuitability for mite activity.


       
The numbers began to rise gradually by the middle of April, as the numerical density reached (41.00, 56.67, 31.00), (34.33, 43.67 and 24.33), (23.33, 38.67 and 16.67) and (48.67, 78.33 and 33.00) individuals/leaf for the levels (upper, middle and lower) for the cultivars (Waziri, Turkish, Cypriot and Bani Muslim), respectively, when the maximum temperature was (33.1-29.8°C), the minimum temperature was (13.6-21.5°C) and the relative humidity was (23.2-72). The population density continued to rise during May to reach higher levels and the highest numerical density was recorded, reaching (50.00, 62.33 and 23.33), (42.33, 55.00 and 15.67), (30.67, 43.67 and 9.33) and (59.67, 79.00 and 20.67) individuals/leaf for the upper, middle and lower levels for the cultivars Waziri, Turkish, Cypriot and Bani Muslim, respectively, when the maximum temperature ranged from (30.6-42.4°C), the minimum temperature was (16.5-12.1°C) and the relative humidity was (45-21) and this represented the peak of the seasonal activity of the mite.
       
Then the mite numbers began to decline gradually again to very low levels during June and the infestation disappeared during July, then began to rise at a very low level at the end of August and the numbers continued to rise during the autumn months until they reached the highest density during October, reaching (60.00, 51.67 and 30.00), (51.00, 42.00 and 20.00), (40.00, 42.00 and 20.00) and (78.33, 81.00 and 37.67) individuals/leaf for the upper, middle and lower levels and for the cultivars Waziri, Turkish, Cypriot and Bani Muslim, respectively, when the maximum temperature ranged from (38.3-27.5°C), the minimum temperature was (21.8-7.8°C) and the relative humidity was (39.88-31.00). Then the numbers began to decline again in November until they became almost absent during December and the infestation disappeared in January and February due to the unavailability of conditions suitable for mite activity and the falling of leaves. The cultivar mean reached (13.62, 10.55, 8.28 and 16.27) for Waziri, Turkish, Cypriot and Bani Muslim, respectively and the level mean reached (13.38, 16.40 and 6.49) for the upper, middle and lower levels, respectively.
       
It is clear from this that the numbers of the mite Rhyncophytoptus ficifoli increased in May, as the numerical density reached its peak, whereas in August it increased again at the middle level compared with the upper and lower levels. This may be attributed to what this level provides of suitable conditions of temperatures in addition to young leaves suitable for feeding and thus the mite preferred the middle level, followed by the upper level and then the lower level. As for the autumn season (October and November), the numerical density recorded an increase again at all levels, forming the second peak and the middle level also remained superior.
       
As for the effect of cultivars within the tree levels, the results showed that the cultivar Bani Muslim recorded the highest numerical density of the mite at all levels, especially at the middle level, whereas the cultivar Cypriot recorded the lowest numerical density.
       
Elhalawany et al. (2024) found that the population density of the fig mite R. ficifoliae reaches its peak in the middle of June on fig leaves when optimum conditions are available for mite development and activity, forming the first seasonal peak (the spring peak) and that there are two peaks, a spring peak and a major autumn peak. The flourishing of the population density is attributed to the physiological compatibility between the thermal requirements of the mite and the maturity of the vegetative growth of fig, which provided an ideal environment for increasing the density and this agrees with what we reached.
 
Population density of the fig bud mite Aceria ficus on the fig cultivars waziri, Turkish, cypriot and bani muslim and at the three levels (upper, middle and lower)
 
The results of the study of the population density of the fig bud mite Aceria ficus on the four fig cultivars (Waziri, Turkish, Cypriot and Bani Muslim) and at the three levels, upper, middle and lower, Table (2), showed the presence of clear significant differences in mite numbers during the months of the study, as the numerical density differed according to the difference in cultivar, level and sampling date, as the infestation began to appear during the first week of April and the infestation was absent during December, January, February and March for all cultivars, as a result of the low of temperatures during this period and their unsuitability for mite activity.


       
The numbers began to rise gradually in the first week of April, as the numerical density reached (56.00, 590.00 and 42.67), (44.33, 82.33 and 35.33), (29.67, 68.00 and 25.00) and (113.33, 145.00 and 52.00) individuals/leaf for the upper, middle and lower levels for the cultivars Waziri, Turkish, Cypriot and Bani Muslim, respectively, when the maximum temperature was (33.1-29.8°C), the minimum temperature was (13.6-21.5°C) and the relative humidity was (23.2-72). The highest numerical density was recorded in May, reaching (41.33, 79.33 and 25.00), (35.67, 73.33 and 18.67), (24.33, 64.00 and 14.67) and (96.00, 140 and 29.33) individuals/leaf for the upper, middle and lower levels for the cultivars Waziri, Turkish, Cypriot and Bani Muslim, respectively, when the maximum temperature ranged from (30.6-42.4°C), the minimum temperature was (16.5-12.1°C) and the relative humidity was (45-21). Then the population density began to decline gradually and clearly during June to reach almost absent levels during July and August, then the numerical density began to increase again during September and the highest numerical density was recorded during October, reaching (51.00, 80.67 and 29.67), (45.00, 73.67 and 22.67), (31.67, 63.00 and 17.00) and (65.00, 128.00 and 35.00) individuals/leaf for the upper, middle and lower levels for the cultivars Waziri, Turkish, Cypriot and Bani Muslim, respectively, when the maximum temperature ranged from (38.3-27.5°C), the minimum temperature was (21.8-7.8°C) and the relative humidity was (39.88-31.00) and this represented the activity peak for the autumn season of this mite species.
       
Then the mite numbers began to decline again to very low levels during November and the infestation disappeared during December, January and February due to the decline of temperatures, their unsuitability and leaf fall.
       
We conclude from the above that the spring peak was recorded in April and May, as the highest density was reached during these two months, whereas the lowest numbers were recorded and were almost absent in the hot summer months of July and August. In autumn, the highest numbers were in October and this may be attributed to the return of environmental conditions suitable for mite growth and activity.
       
The results also show the presence of clear significant variation in the susceptibility of fig cultivars to infestation by the fig rust mite Aceria ficus, as the cultivar Bani Muslim recorded the highest numerical density, reaching (26.25 individuals/leaf), whereas the cultivar Cypriot recorded the lowest level of infestation (11.35 individuals/leaf), with the presence of significant differences. This difference in the level of infestation may be attributed to the leaves of the cultivar possessing anatomical characteristics that may be more suitable for mite activity compared with the Cypriot cultivar, which was less infested.
       
Desoky et al., (2021), through their study of the population density of mite species infesting fig trees in Egypt, found that the study focused on analyzing the relationship between the presence of the species A. ficus and the physiological condition of the host plant (Plant phenology) and the prevailing weather fluctuations. They found that the distribution of these pests is governed by the degree of compatibility between environmental requirements and the availability of tender leaf growth, with an increase in population density recorded during the season, in which the second seasonal peak is formed and in which a main peak appears in late summer and early autumn. This is attributed to the noticeable rise in temperatures and the decrease in relative humidity (atmospheric drought), which played a stimulating role in accelerating the growth of the pest community and the succession of its generations. This, in turn, explains that the increase in density represents a biological outcome of the complex interaction effect between the physiological and morphological characteristics of the cultivar on the one hand, as the morphological and chemical traits of the plant play a decisive role in determining the degree of susceptibility to infestation through their effect on the feeding and reproductive behavior of the mite and the surrounding environmental conditions on the other hand.
       
Elhalawany et al., (2024), during their study of the population density of the fig bud mite A. ficus, found that this species has two peaks, a spring peak in June and an autumn peak in August, which is a critical period coinciding with the growth of new buds and this supports what we have reached. However, the slight difference in the timing of the peak between the two studies may be attributed to the variation in climatic conditions between the Qalyubia region in Egypt and the Abu Ghraib region in Baghdad. These results confirm that the temporal overlap of this species with the stages of fruit growth makes it the most dangerous pest to the market value of the crop.
       
Daneshnia et al., (2025), in a recent study, found that temperatures have an effect on the fig bud mite Aceria ficus, as the rates of development and reproduction in this species increase with rising temperatures until reaching the optimum level for growth, which leads to an increase in its population density during the growing season. These results explain the noticeable increase in mite numbers during the moderate periods of the year.

Mite population dynamics are significantly influenced by cultivar type and canopy microclimate. The middle level serves as a primary refuge during thermal stress. These findings are crucial for scheduling precise control interventions within sustainable agricultural programs.

The authors would like to express their sincere appreciation to all those who assisted in conducting the field and laboratory work of this study. Special thanks are extended to the staff and workers of the fig orchard in Abu Ghraib, Baghdad, for their cooperation and support during sample collection and field observations.
 
Disclaimers
 
The views and interpretations presented in this manuscript are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated institutions. The authors are solely responsible for the content and writing of this article.
 
Informed consent
 
Not applicable. This study did not involve human participants, human data, or animal subjects; it was conducted on fig trees under field conditions.

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this study.