scholarly journals Surveys of 12 California crops for phytoseiid predatory mites show changes compared to earlier studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 129-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth E. Grafton-Cardwell ◽  
Walter Bentley ◽  
Mary Bianchi ◽  
Frances E. Cave ◽  
Rachel Elkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dominant Species ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
Economic Thresholds ◽  
Galendromus Occidentalis ◽  
Major Species ◽  
Geographical Regions

Phytoseiid mites are key predators in agricultural crops. However, not all species regulate pest populations below economic thresholds, and therefore knowledge of which species are associated with particular crops aids pest control recommendations. Surveys of 12 crops across six geographical regions of California demonstrated that phytoseiid species varied by crop and geographical location, with subtropical crops exhibiting the lowest species diversity and grape the greatest. The western predatory mite, Galendromus occidentalis, long cited as a dominant species in California crops, was not found to be the major species in most situations. Euseius stipulatus, a species introduced in the 1970s, was found in the surveyed crops in many areas of the state and appears to be displacing E. hibisci along the south coast.

Impact of Predatory Mite Releases on the Abundance of Pecan Leaf Scorch Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)

2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 517-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Dutcher
Keyword(s):  
Population Density ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Mite Infestation ◽  
Effective Management ◽  
High Population Density ◽  
Release Date ◽  
Leaf Scorch ◽  
Galendromus Occidentalis ◽  
Release Area

Release of the predatory mites, Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) and Phytoseuilis persimilis Athias-Henriot, suppressed or controlled populations of pecan leaf scorch mite (Eotetranychus hicoriae McGregor [Acari:Tetranychidae]) in an 18-yr-old ‘Desirable’ pecan orchard. Predators controlled a low population (4.4 pecan leaf scorch mites and eggs per leaf in untreated trees) of pecan leaf scorch mites in the 2002 season at 28 days after the release date. In 2003, both species of predatory mites were released at 500 and 1000 mites per tree in the center tree of a 25-tree, square plot (0.41 ha). Untreated trees had 63, 240, and 38 pecan leaf scorch mites and eggs per leaf at 6, 10, and 24 d postrelease, respectively. Pecan leaf scorch mites were controlled at this high population density in the release area 24 d after the release. Release of the mites at 500 and 1000 G. occidentalis mites per tree reduced the pecan leaf scorch mite infestation by 67 and 91%, respectively. Release of 500 and 1000 P. persimilis mites per tree reduced the pecan leaf scorch mite infestation by 90 and 98%, respectively. Predatory mite releases appear to provide an effective management tactic for pecan leaf scorch mite for pecan producers in Georgia.

scholarly journals Phytoseiid predatory mites can disperse entomopathogenic fungi to prey patches

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gongyu Lin ◽  
Claude Guertin ◽  
Sean-Anthony Di Paolo ◽  
Silvia Todorova ◽  
Jacques Brodeur
Keyword(s):  
Frankliniella Occidentalis ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Amblyseius Swirskii ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Neoseiulus Cucumeris ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
First Instar ◽  
Young Leaves

AbstractRecent studies have shown that predatory mites used as biocontrol agents can be loaded with entomopathogenic fungal conidia to increase infection rates in pest populations. Under laboratory conditions, we determined the capacity of two phytoseiid mites, Amblyseius swirskii and Neoseiulus cucumeris to deliver the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana to their prey, Frankliniella occidentalis. Predatory mites were loaded with conidia and released on plants that had been previously infested with first instar prey clustered on a bean leaf. We examined each plant section to characterize the spatial distribution of each interacting organism. Our results showed that A. swirskii delivered high numbers of conidia to thrips infested leaves, thereby increasing the proportion of thrips that came into contact with the fungus. The effect was larger when thrips infestation occurred on young leaves than on old leaves. Neoseiulus cucumeris delivered less conidia to the thrips infested leaves. These patterns result from differences in foraging activity between predatory mite species. Amblyseius swirskii stayed longer on plants, especially within thrips colonies, and had a stronger suppressing effect on thrips than N. cucumeris. Our study suggests that loading certain predatory mite species with fungal conidia can increase their capacity to suppress thrips populations by combining predation and dispersing pathogens.

What habitat does spiny snout mite occupy in Tasmania

2015 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 446-446
Author(s):  
D.J. Wilson ◽  
P.J. Gerard
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sand Dune ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Mite Species ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Habitat Specificity ◽  
Nontarget Organisms ◽  
Flea Control ◽  
Potential Biocontrol Agent

Spiny snout mite (Neomolgus capillatus) is a potential biocontrol agent for clover flea (Sminthurus viridis) a white clover pest on dairy farms in warmer and wetter parts of New Zealand In the 1990s this mite was introduced from Brittany France into Tasmania for clover flea control Results during the release programme were highly promising and subsequent anecdotal farmer reports indicate widespread decreases in damage As N capillatus is a predatory mite and already known to attack nontarget organisms habitat specificity will determine whether it could be introduced into New Zealand without risk to native insects To assess this pastures on nine of the original Tasmanian release farms and adjacent nontarget habitats ranging from bush wetlands eucalypt stands to sand dune country were sampled in April 2014 Litter samples were collected heat extracted and mite species identified Neomolgus capillatus was found at effective densities in pastures that had good clover cover Where present it displaced Bdellodes spp mites that are ineffective against clover flea No N capillatus were found in the nontarget habitats all of which lacked clover and contained other predatory mites including Bdellodes spp Therefore the preference by N capillatus for lush pastures makes it an excellent prospect for introduction as a biocontrol agent into clover flea prone regions of New Zealand

scholarly journals Relationships of Hydrological Seasons in Rivers and Groundwaters in Selected Catchments in Poland

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Przemysław Tomalski ◽  
Edmund Tomaszewski ◽  
Dariusz Wrzesiński ◽  
Leszek Sobkowiak
Keyword(s):  
River Flow ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Base Flow ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Groundwater Levels ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
New Variables ◽  
Mixed Types

The study applied the method of hydrological season identification in a time series of river total and base flows and in groundwater levels. The analysis covered a series of daily measurements from the period 2008–2017 in nine catchments located in different geographical regions of Poland. The basis of the classification of hydrological seasons, previously applied for river discharges only, was the transformation of the original variables into a series reflecting three statistical features estimated for single-name days of a year from a multiyear: average value, variation coefficient, and autocorrelation coefficient. New variables were standardized and after hierarchical clustering, every day of a year had a defined type, valorizing three features which refer to quantity, variability, and the stochastic nature of total and base river flow as well as groundwater stage. Finally, sequences of days were grouped into basic (homogenous) seasons of different types and transitional seasons including mixed types of days. Analysis indicated determinants of types, length, and frequency of identified hydrological seasons especially related to river regime, hydrogeological and hydrometeorological conditions as well as physiographical background were directly influenced by geographical location. Analysis of the co-occurrence of the same types of hydrological seasons allowed, in some catchments, periods of synchronic alimentation (groundwater and base flow, mainly in the cold half-year) and water shortages (all three components, mainly in the warm half-year) to be identified.

scholarly journals Benefit-cost Trade-offs of Early Learning in Foraging Predatory Mites Amblyseius Swirskii

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Inga C. Christiansen ◽  
Sandra Szin ◽  
Peter Schausberger
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Biocontrol Agent ◽  
Early Learning ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Amblyseius Swirskii ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Fitness Benefits ◽  
Benefit Cost ◽  
Juvenile Development

Abstract Learning is changed behavior following experience, and ubiquitous in animals including plant-inhabiting predatory mites (Phytoseiidae). Learning has many benefits but also incurs costs, which are only poorly understood. Here, we addressed learning, especially its costs, in the generalist predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii, a biocontrol agent of several herbivores, which can also survive on pollen. The goals of our research were (1) to scrutinize if A. swirskii is able to learn during early life in foraging contexts and, if so, (2) to determine the costs of early learning. In the experiments, we used one difficult-to-grasp prey, i.e., thrips, and one easy-to-grasp prey, i.e., spider mites. Our experiments show that A. swirskii is able to learn during early life. Adult predators attacked prey experienced early in life (i.e., matching prey) more quickly than they attacked unknown (i.e., non-matching) prey. Furthermore, we observed both fitness benefits and operating (physiological) costs of early learning. Predators receiving the matching prey produced the most eggs, whereas predators receiving the non-matching prey produced the least. Thrips-experienced predators needed the longest for juvenile development. Our findings may be used to enhance A. swirskii’s efficacy in biological control, by priming young predators on a specific prey early in life.

scholarly journals Reproductive parameters of Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) fed with Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae) in laboratory

2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 162-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Souza-Pimentel ◽  
P. R. Reis ◽  
C. R. Bonatto ◽  
J. P. Alves ◽  
M. F. Siqueira
Keyword(s):  
Tetranychus Urticae ◽  
Generation Time ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Phytoseiulus Macropilis ◽  
Biological Aspects ◽  
Tetranychus Urticae Koch

Abstract Predatory mites that belong to the Phytoseiidae family are one of the main natural enemies of phytophagous mites, thus allowing for their use as a biological control. Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks, 1904) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is among the main species of predatory mites used for this purpose. Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 (Acari: Tetranychidae) is considered to be one of the most important species of mite pests and has been described as attacking over 1,100 species of plants in 140 families with economic value. The objective of the present study was to investigate, in the laboratory, the reproductive parameters of the predatory mite P. macropilis when fed T. urticae. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2 °C of temperature, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hours of photophase. In addition, biological aspects were evaluated and a fertility life table was established. The results of these experiments demonstrated that the longevity of adult female was 27.5 days and adult male was 29.0 days. The population was estimated to increase approximately 27 times (Ro) in mean generation time (T), which was 17.7 days. Lastly, the mite population grew 1.2 times/day (λ) and doubled every 3.7 days (TD).

scholarly journals Invasive Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris, Replacing Corema, Corema conradii, Heathland in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Catling ◽  
Susan Carbyn
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Sylvestris ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
Deschampsia Flexuosa ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Annapolis Valley ◽  
The Impact

Examination of air photos from 1930, 1970 and 2002 revealed stands of the European Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) invading remnants of natural Corema (Corema conradii) heathland in the Annapolis valley. To document the impact of the introduced pines, four natural habitats were compared with two adjacent habitats already invaded by the pines. All surveyed habitats had been dominated by Corema heath based on air photos taken in 1930. Twenty 1 m2 quadrats were used to record presence and cover of vascular plants at each site. The invasive alien pines reduce the native cover to 12%. Vascular plant biodiversity is reduced to less than 42% and the cover of the heathland dominant, Corema conradii, is reduced from over 100 % to less than 2%. with Deschampsia flexuosa becoming the dominant species. The modified ecosystem and loss of biodiversity has economic impacts through loss of pollinators of agricultural crops and loss of germplasm of native crop relatives.

Phytoseiidae mites associated with native and cultivated solanaceous in Central-West Brazil

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mércia Elias Duarte ◽  
Peterson Rodrigo Demite ◽  
Renata Santos De Mendonça ◽  
Miguel Michereff-filho ◽  
Maria Luiza Santa Cruz De Mesquita Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Phytoseiid Mites ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Phytophagous Mites ◽  
Wild Host ◽  
The One

Predatory mites represent important biological control agents and those belonging to the Phytoseiidae family are the most promising for the control of phytophagous mites and small insects. The control of key pests of tomato and other solanaceous crops, highlighting phytophagous mites, has been a challenge and the biological control constitutes a promising strategy. Prospecting predatory mites in wild host plants, natural environments as well as in agroecosystems is relevant because these non-crop and crop areas can serve as reservoirs for promising species for biological control programs. This study aimed to know the Phytoseiidae fauna associated with wild and cultivated solanaceous plants in a poorly prospected area in Brazil, the Central-West Region. A detailed taxonomic identification of phytoseiid mites was conducted, and the most important morphological traits are presented for each species. In addition, associated phytophagous mites mainly belonging to the Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae and Eriophyoidea were identified. Surveys were carried out in 23 species of solanaceous collected in the Distrito Federal (12 areas) and Goiás State (1 area), from February 2017 to January 2018. Nineteen species of predators belonging to ten genera were recorded: Amblyseius (2 species), Euseius (3), Galendromus (1), Iphiseiodes (1), Neoseiulus (3), Paraphytoseius (1), Phytoseius (3), Proprioseiopsis (2), Typhlodromalus (2, one probably new to science) and Typhlodromips (1). Solanum lycocarpum was the solanaceous that harbored the highest richness (11 species), as well as the one with the highest abundance of phytoseiids (250 specimens). Typhlodromalus aripo was the most common species, being the most abundant (423 specimens; 32%) and registered on the largest number of hosts (14). Many of phytoseiid species found present morphological traits that facilitate their occurrence in leaves with trichomes, as in the case of tomato and other cultivated solanaceous. These traits and the association between predators and phytophagous mites may indicate that these species are promising for biological control programms. Thus, extensive studies to assess the efficiency of the identified predatory mites to control key solanaceous pests are required.

Diverse non-crop vegetation assemblages as banker plants for predatory mites in strawberry crop

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Fernando Teruhiko Hata ◽  
Pedro Henrique Togni ◽  
Maurício Ursi Ventura ◽  
José Eduardo Poloni da Silva ◽  
Nilson Zacarias Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Control ◽  
Predatory Mites ◽  
Predatory Mite ◽  
Plant Composition ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Banker Plant ◽  
Solanum Americanum ◽  
Leonurus Sibiricus ◽  
Plant Inventory ◽  
Diverse Plant

Abstract Non-crop plant diversity plays a fundamental role in the conservation of predatory mite (PM) and can be proposed as a banker plant system (BPS). BPSs provide plants that host natural enemies in greenhouses or field crops and may improve the efficiency of biological control. The aim of this study was to investigate if a diverse plant composition could be a suitable BPS for PMs in strawberry crops. A plant inventory characterized 22 species of non-crop plants harboring PMs. The most abundant PMs, in decreasing order, were Neoseiulus californicus, Neoseiulus anonymus, Euseius citrifolius, and Euseius concordis. PMs were randomly distributed among plants. We also found specific associations of Phytoseiidae species and phytophagous or generalist mites on plants. Due to this, four species were deemed suitable as banker plants: Capsicum sp., Leonurus sibiricus, Solanum americanum, and Urochloa mutica. Moreover, these plants combined a high PMs density and a low occurrence or absence of pest-mites. This study suggests shifting the traditional view that BPSs are composed of a limited number of species to use plant assemblages. This contributes to both conservation and augmentative biological control.

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