智利小植绥螨对茄子二斑叶螨控制效果研究

【目的】明确智利小植绥螨Phytoseiulus persimilis对茄子上二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae的控制效果,探索智利小植绥螨控制茄子二斑叶螨的最优释放数量。【方法】在1︰10、1︰30和1︰50不同益害比及10、30和60头/叶二斑叶螨不同猎物密度下,研究了智利小植绥螨捕食二斑叶螨的效果以及智利小植绥螨的增殖率。【结果】随智利小植绥螨释放比例的提高,防治效率明显提高,益害比1︰10、1︰30和1︰50的防效分别在释放后第14、22和26天达100%;在不同猎物密度下,按益害比1︰30释放智利小植绥螨,防效均随时间延长而提高,且6 d后不同猎物密度下防效差异不明显,第20天时3种密度下的防效均达100%,表明其捕食作用受到益害比影响较大而受猎物密度影响不明显。随着捕食螨释放比例的降低和二斑叶螨密度的提高,智利小植绥螨的增殖率增加,在益害比为1︰50、二斑叶螨种群密为60头/叶时,智利小植绥螨的最高增殖率分别达643%和893%,表明智利小植绥螨具有较高的种群增殖力。【结论】智利小植绥螨对茄子二斑叶螨具有较好的防控效果,推荐在二斑叶螨发生早期时按益害比1︰10~1︰30释放智利小植绥螨,以保证较快的防控效果和较少的捕食螨释放量。     

4种杀螨剂对二斑叶螨的毒力测定和对少毛钝绥螨的安全性评价

为评价杀螨剂对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae Koch的毒力和对少毛钝绥螨Proprioseiopsis asetus Chant的安全性,本文采用叶片喷雾法测定了4种田间常用杀螨剂对少毛钝绥螨和二斑叶螨的毒力,并分析比较了4种杀螨剂对少毛钝绥螨和二斑叶螨的选择毒力。试验结果表明,4种杀螨剂对少毛钝绥螨雌成螨和二斑叶螨雌成螨的毒力选择指数大小依次为：联苯肼酯（10.1261）>阿维菌素（5.4664）＞哒螨灵（3.5293）＞克螨特（2.3615）。联苯肼酯对少毛钝绥螨的毒力选择指数最高,具有中度正向选择性,即联苯肼酯对少毛钝绥螨的毒力明显低于其对二斑叶螨的毒力。阿维菌素、哒螨灵、克螨特对少毛钝绥螨和二斑叶螨的毒力选择指数也都大于1,但都小于10,即这3种杀螨剂对少毛钝绥螨和二斑叶螨都有较低的正向选择性。4种杀螨剂常规使用浓度下对少毛钝绥螨雌成螨的安全系数大小依次为：联苯肼酯>阿维菌素＞哒螨灵＞克螨特。联苯肼酯的安全系数为16.8935～24.4025,阿维菌素的安全系数为5.5782～22.3127,均大于5,表示联苯肼酯和阿维菌素在推荐使用浓度的低浓度情况下,对少毛钝绥螨的安全性高。而15%哒螨灵乳油和73%克螨特乳油的安全系数仅1.1709～1.7564和1.0523～1.5807,在推荐使用浓度的低浓度情况下,对少毛钝绥螨的安全性一般。因此建议在生产中应用少毛钝绥螨进行生物防治时,可优先选用联苯肼酯和阿维菌素配合使用,而不建议使用哒螨灵和克螨特。     

5种杀螨剂对不同螨态荔枝叶螨的毒力评价和田间防效

为了综合评价常用杀螨剂对荔枝叶螨Oligonychus litchii的室内毒力,在室内分别采用Potter喷雾法、浸叶碟法和浸叶法测定了5种常用杀螨剂对荔枝叶螨成螨、卵和若螨的毒力,并测定了5种杀螨剂对荔枝叶螨的田间防效。室内毒力结果表明:哒螨灵、阿维菌素对荔枝叶螨成螨和若螨有较高的毒力,联苯肼酯对成螨和若螨的毒力较低,而螺螨酯和乙螨唑对成螨基本无活性,对若螨有一定的毒力;5种杀螨剂对卵的毒力大小依次为乙螨唑螺螨酯哒螨灵阿维菌素联苯肼酯。田间防效试验中,15%哒螨灵乳油和1.8%阿维菌素乳油对荔枝叶螨的总体防效较好,药后1 d防效高于70%,药后10 d防效达100%,药后20 d防效仍在90%以上,速效性和持效性均较好;240 g/L螺螨酯悬浮剂和110 g/L乙螨唑悬浮剂对荔枝叶螨药后3 d防效均低于70%,而药后20 d的防效高于90%,说明两药剂速效性较差但持效性较好;43%联苯肼酯悬浮剂药后1、3 d防效低于阿维菌素和哒螨灵,高于螺螨酯和乙螨唑,药后15 d防效开始下降。在田间防治荔枝叶螨时,若荔枝叶螨发生早期、成螨较少时建议施用螺螨酯或乙螨唑,而荔枝叶螨种群中成螨、若螨较多时推荐施用阿维菌素、哒螨灵或联苯肼酯。     

智利小植绥螨密度对朱砂叶螨产卵能力的影响

智利小植绥螨是朱砂叶螨的专性捕食者。本研究在室内,研究了智利小植绥螨密度对朱砂叶螨存活及生殖的影响。智利小植绥螨对朱砂叶螨存活干扰结果表明:干扰后24 h各处理朱砂叶螨的死亡率均显著高于对照,且死亡率随干扰密度增大而提高,10头捕食螨/叶碟处理高达76.67%,为对照处理的14.38倍。但是干扰48 h后对叶螨存活影响不大。对朱砂叶螨产卵干扰结果表明:干扰后各时间段朱砂叶螨单雌产卵量均随智利小植绥螨干扰密度的增加而降低。干扰24 h后,除1头捕食螨/叶碟处理与对照差异不显著外,其他各处理均与对照有显著差异。干扰48 h后,10头捕食螨/叶碟处理的叶螨单头产卵量是2.80粒,仅为对照的28.5%。但是干扰96h后,除10头捕食螨/叶碟处理与对照差异显著外,其余各处理与对照均差异不显著。本研究还分析了干扰对96 h内朱砂叶螨单雌总产卵量影响,处理5头/叶碟和10头/叶碟均显著低于对照,并且10头/叶碟显著低于5头/叶碟;1头/叶碟和3头/叶碟与对照相当,但是均显著高于10头/叶碟。结果显示,智利小植绥螨密度对朱砂叶螨有较强的生殖干扰作用,并且捕食螨密度越大,干扰作用越强,后代增殖潜能越小。     

丁氟螨酯对二斑叶螨生长发育的影响

【目的】丁氟螨酯是一种新型酰基乙腈类非内吸性杀螨剂,对害螨的各个螨态都有很高活性,具有较高的应用价值。本文评价了丁氟螨酯对二斑叶螨生长发育的影响,以期为合理用药和二斑叶螨的综合防治提供理论依据。【方法】采用浸叶法测定丁氟螨酯对二斑叶螨成螨与卵的致死中浓度、雌成螨产卵量、各螨态存活率以及各发育历期的影响。【结果】经丁氟螨酯处理后,二斑叶螨日均产卵量和总产卵量下降,各螨态发育历期延长;LC₇₀、LC₅₀、LC₃₀剂量处理二斑叶螨雌成螨后,每雌日均产卵量为(2.09±0.17)、(3.02±0.22)、(3.39±0.13)粒,每雌总产卵量为(29.29±2.31)、(42.32±3.01)、(47.41±1.77)粒,与空白对照差异显著(P<0.05,df=3);不同剂量处理二斑叶螨卵后,各螨态发育历期的延长程度不同,但成功孵化的卵能完成发育历期,LC 70剂量延长卵历期至(4.45±0.07)d、前若螨历期至(2.75±0.04)d、后若螨历期至(2.61±0.05)d和总历期至(12.53±0.18)d,LC 50剂量延长前若螨历期至(2.52±0.08)d、后若螨历期至(2.67±0.09)d和总历期至(12.22±0.18)d,LC 30剂量延长前若螨历期至(2.45±0.06)d和总历期至(11.53±0.08)d,与空白对照差异显著(P<0.05,df=3)。【结论】丁氟螨酯能对二斑叶螨的生长发育产生明显影响,降低二斑叶螨的产卵能力,抑制卵孵化,延长发育历期,从而降低二斑叶螨种群的发育速率,对该螨的种群控制有积极意义。     

十种杀螨剂对朱砂叶螨不同发育阶段的毒力比较

【目的】为明确不同杀螨剂对朱砂叶螨Tetranychuscinnabarinus不同发育阶段的生物活性。【方法】采用浸渍法分别测定了10种杀螨剂对朱砂叶螨成螨、卵和若螨的毒力。【结果】丁氟螨酯、阿维菌素和联苯肼酯对成螨、卵和若螨的活性均较高;乙螨唑和螺螨酯对卵和若螨活性较高,但对成螨活性明显偏低;甲氰菊酯对成螨和若螨的活性优于卵;唑螨酯、哒螨灵和三唑锡对3种螨态也均具有毒杀作用,但毒力偏低。同一种杀螨剂对若螨的活性均高于成螨和卵,乙螨唑、螺螨酯、联苯肼酯、唑螨酯和炔螨特对卵的活性高于成螨,丁氟螨酯、阿维菌素、甲氰菊酯、哒螨灵和三唑锡对成螨的活性高于卵。【结论】不同杀螨剂对朱砂叶螨不同发育阶段毒力存在较大差异,田间用药防治时应根据害螨发生情况和发生阶段,选择适合的防治药剂。     

短时高温暴露对土耳其斯坦叶螨和截形叶螨的影响

【目的】为了明确土耳其斯坦叶螨Tetranychus turkestani和截形叶螨T. truncatus在高温逆境下的生存特性对其种群发展的影响。【方法】通过短时高温处理试验, 研究了土耳其斯坦叶螨和截形叶螨卵、 幼螨、 成螨在38℃, 42℃和46℃下处理2～6 h后的孵化率和存活率, 以及对其后续发育历期和生殖的影响。【结果】两种叶螨的卵和幼螨在38～46℃下处理2～6 h, 其存活率随着温度和处理时间的增加而降低, 后续发育历期随着温度和处理时间的增加而延长。两种叶螨的雌成螨在38～46℃下处理2～6 h后其存活率、 产卵前期、 产卵期和产卵量均不受影响, 但所产卵的孵化率明显降低, 其中土耳其斯坦叶螨在46℃下处理6 h的孵化率下降了15.5%, 截形叶螨在46℃下处理6 h的孵化率下降了18.0%。【结论】高温暴露主要影响叶螨的孵化率、 存活率和后续的发育历期, 对成螨的寿命和生殖无显著影响; 土耳其斯坦叶螨和截形叶螨对极端高温的适应性存在差异, 土耳其斯坦叶螨对高温的适应性要高于截形叶螨。     

加州新小绥螨和巴氏新小绥螨对二斑叶螨的捕食能力比较

【目的】比较加州新小绥螨Neoseiulus californicus和巴氏新小绥螨Neoseiulus barkeri对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae的捕食能力,为果园二斑叶螨生物防治剂的选择提供依据。【方法】采用捕食功能反应的方法研究加州新小绥螨和巴氏新小绥螨雌成螨对二斑叶螨各螨态的捕食作用。【结果】加州新小绥螨和巴氏新小绥螨雌成螨对二斑叶螨各螨态的捕食功能反应均属于HollingⅡ型,对二斑叶螨各螨态的捕食能力均随着螨态的增大而降低,对卵的捕食能力最强,其次是幼螨、第一若螨、第二若螨、成螨。巴氏新小绥螨对二斑叶螨卵、幼螨的捕食能力强于加州新小绥螨,功能反应参数a/Th值分别高出55.2%和30.1%,而加州新小绥螨对二斑叶螨第一若螨、第二若螨的捕食能力强于巴氏新小绥螨,a/Th值分别高出67.5%和114.5%,两种捕食螨对二斑叶螨雌成螨的捕食能力相当,a/Th值均为4.5。加州新小绥螨和巴氏新小绥螨均对二斑叶螨的卵和幼螨表现出嗜食性,而对若螨和成螨没有嗜食性。两种捕食螨对二斑叶螨的捕食存在种内干扰,加州新小绥螨的干扰系数(0.328)大于巴氏新小绥螨(0.324)。【结论】在室内环境稳定的条件下,加州新小绥螨对二斑叶螨的捕食能力强于巴氏新小绥螨。     

毒死蜱亚致死剂量对二斑叶螨实验种群动态的影响

【目的】为探讨毒死蜱(Chlorpyrifos)对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae Koch种群动态的影响,室内研究了毒死蜱亚致死剂量对二斑叶螨实验种群成螨和若螨的生长发育、存活和繁殖情况的影响。【方法】用浸虫法进行测定,生命表方法分析亚致死效应。【结果】结果表明毒死蜱亚致死剂量LC25处理成螨后,雌成螨寿命、总产卵量、子代孵化率、性比与对照组无显著差异,其净增值率、内禀增长率、周限增长率以及种群加倍时间显著低于对照组。毒死蜱亚致死剂量LC25处理若螨后,总产卵量、净增值率、世代平均周期显著低于对照组,内禀增长率、周限增长率以及种群加倍时间与对照组无显著差异。扩散试验证明毒死蜱对二斑叶螨有较强的刺激扩散作用。【结论】以上结果说明毒死蜱亚致死剂量对不同发育阶段的二斑叶螨发育和繁殖的影响不同,毒死蜱对二斑叶螨的刺激扩散作用可能是引起二斑叶螨再猖獗的原因之一。     

苹果园二斑叶螨高效防治药剂筛选

【目的】为解决当前苹果园二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae抗药性高、防治效果差、用药量大的问题,评价当前登记药剂及果园正在使用的药剂对二斑叶螨的防治效果。【方法】采用室内生测的方法比较了10种登记药剂,9种果园正在使用的药剂对二斑叶螨的毒力效果。【结果】选用的登记药剂中,80%的药剂对二斑叶螨效果差,甚至失去控制作用,防治效果低于66.67%,仅双甲脒、阿维菌素48 h防效在92.68%以上;果园常用药剂螺螨酯、虫酰肼、噻虫啉对二斑叶螨均表现出很好的防治效果,48 h防效达到84.09%-100%。【结论】目前80%以上的登记单剂药剂对二斑叶螨失去了防控效果,这是果园二斑叶螨防效差的主要原因,常用药剂螺螨酯、虫酰肼、噻虫啉等对二斑叶螨防效好。建议增加高效药剂登记或更换防治药剂,保证对二斑叶螨的防效,降低果园用药量,提高果园用药系统的精准性。二斑叶螨防治不能仅依赖化学药剂,要充分发挥果园生态系统的自然控害功能,延缓抗药性发展。     

Improved control capacity of the mite predator Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on tomato

The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis is frequently reported to perform poorly on greenhouse tomatoes. As the predators are mass-reared on another host plant (bean), we supposed that they are poorly adapted to tomato, a plant densely packed with poisonous and sticky glandular hairs. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the control capacity of a stain of P. persimilis directly obtained from a mass rearing with the same strain after four generations on tomato. Both strains were released in a tomato crop in two identical compartments of a greenhouse and the population dynamics of prey (a tomato strain of Tetranychus urticae) and predator were recorded at weekly time intervals. It was found that the strain previously exposed to a tomato environment performed better than the unexposed strain: (1) its population increased faster; (2) the prey population declined faster; and (3) the damage to new-grown tomato leaves was considerably lower. To investigate the causes of the difference in performance between the exposed and unexposed strains, oviposition and survival rates were assessed on a diet of two-spotted spider mites on tomato leaf sections. In addition, the unexposed strain was tested on a diet of two-spotted spider mites on bean leaf sections. The difference in oviposition rates of both predator strains was small compare to the overall mean. However, the oviposition rate of the first generation of predators since transfer from bean to tomato dropped to less than half of the original value. Moreover, mortality in the first generation increased from 14% to 89%, whereas it decreased to 0% after four generations. Future research should clarify whether these changes in life history are due to selection or to physiological adaptation.     

Side-effects of three pesticides on the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Side-effects of three commonly used pesticides in Iran were evaluated on an introduced strain of the predatory mite. Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, reared for about 10 years without exposure to any pesticides. Application of pesticides was carried out either to detached bean leaves using a Potter tower at 1 mg wet deposit per cm2 or by a hand sprayer on bean plants until run off. According to an EPPO decision making scheme, pirimiphos-methyl was found to be harmful (E=90.8%) and heptenophos harmless (E=-3.7%) to the predatory mite in the residual initial toxicity tests. For determination of the hazard class of malathion a field test was found to be necessary (E=59.8%). Categories of 1, 2, 3 were determined for heptenophos, malathion and primiphos-methyl, respectively, using IOBC classification. Despite being harmful, it is possible to use pirimiphos-methyl 10 days before release of P. persimilis. Investigation of the contribution of both lethal and sub-lethal effects to total impact indicated the dominance of lethality in the case of pirimiphos-methyl, while malathion acted by both mechanisms. Heptenophos did not have negative effects on fecundity of P. persimilis but rather caused a higher rate of fecundity in comparison with the control. The mortality found in the heptenophos test was not significantly different from the control.     

Plant architecture and prey distribution influence foraging behavior of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The arrangement, number, and size of plant parts may influence predator foraging behavior, either directly, by altering the rate or pattern of predator movement, or, indirectly, by affecting the distribution and abundance of prey. We report on the effects of both plant architecture and prey distribution on foraging by the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae), on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Plants differed in leaf number (2- or 6-leafed), and there were associated differences in leaf size, plant height, and relative proportions of plant parts; but all had the same total surface area. The prey, the twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), were distributed either on the basal leaf or on all leaves. The effect of plant architecture on predator foraging behavior varied depending on prey distribution. The dimensions of individual plant parts affected time allocated to moving and feeding, but they did not appear to influence the frequency with which predators moved among different plant parts. Overall, P. persimilis moved less, and fed upon prey longer, on 6-leafed plants with prey on all leaves than on plants representing other treatment combinations. Our findings suggest that both plant architecture and pattern of prey distribution should be considered, along with other factors such as herbivore-induced plant volatiles, in augmentative biological control programs.     

Leaf hairs influence searching efficiency and predation rate of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The effect of leaf hairs on searching efficiency of adult female Phytoseiulus persimilis was investigated. For this purpose we used the ornamental crop Gerbera jamesonii and determined the predator's searching efficiency on three cultivars that differ largely in the density of leaf hairs on the undersurface of the leaves. Walking speed of the mites was highest on the cultivar with the lowest leaf hair density. Walking activity, defined as the percentage of time spent walking, was not dependent on leaf hair density of the cultivars. At both prey densities tested, time until first predation increased with leaf hair density. The predation rate of adult female P. persimilis is affected by trichome density, particularly when prey density is low. At prey densities of 1.3 and 2.5 Tetranychus urticae eggs cm–2, predation rate was inversely related to leaf hair density. At a prey density of 8.0 eggs cm–2 no significant effect of leaf hair density on predation rate was found. These negative effects on searching efficiency and predation success at low prey density of P. persimilis suggest that biological control of T. urticae on gerbera may be hampered by leaf hairs. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Disease prevalence and transmission of Microsporidium phytoseiuli infecting the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Isolated colonies of the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis, were used to gain information regarding prevalence and transmission of Microsporidium phytoseiuli. Two colonies of P. persimilis were reared on spider mite (Tetranychus urticae)-infested bean plants in isolated cages. Disease prevalence of predators from Colony 1 remained relatively low (between 0 and 15%) over 57 weeks of observation whereas disease prevalence of predators from Colony 2 increased over 3 months (from 12 to 100%). Disease prevalence among predators from Colony 1 had increased to 100% 2 months after weekly sampling had ceased for this colony and periodic sampling confirmed that disease prevalence among individuals of both colonies remained at 100%. Microsporidian spores were not detected in randomly chosen samples of T. urticae prey mites that were removed and examined biweekly during this period. Although numerous microsporidian spores were observed in smear preparations of fecal pellets examined by light microscopy, spores were not observed on leaf surfaces or predator feces when examined by SEM. The latter appeared as intact aggregates composed of numerous dumbbell-shaped crystals and it is unlikely that spores are liberated from intact fecal pellets onto leaf surfaces. Vertical transmission of M. phytoseiuli was 100%; horizontal transmission was low (14.3%) and occurred only when immature P. persimilis were permitted to develop in contact with infected immature and adult predators. The mean number of eggs produced per mated pair was highest when uninfected females were mated with uninfected males (63.2 eggs per mated pair). Although mean egg production decreased when one or both parents were infected, not all differences were significant. Male predatory mites did not contribute to infection of their progeny. Results suggest that routine examination of P. persimilis for microsporidian spores is essential for the management of M. phytoseiuli within P. persimilis colonies. Low disease prevalence and lack of obvious disease signs or symptoms, as in the case of M. phytoseiuli, increase the probability that these pathogens will escape notice unless individuals are routinely examined for pathogens.     

A method to assess the effects of pesticides on the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari Phytoseiidae) in the laboratory

Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari Phytoseiidae) is a major predator of Tetranychus urticae (Acari Tetranychidae). The performance of P. persimilis in controlling T. urticae may be altered by pesticides used to manage other pests. Therefore, knowledge of the side-effects of pesticides is essential for IPM. A number of laboratory methods were suggested to evaluate pesticide side-effects on predatory mites. Most methods assess residual effects only, and a number of them are characterised by high predator escape rates from experimental units. A method aimed at evaluating the topical and residual effects of pesticides on P. persimilis is herein described. Mites were treated by microimmersion and then reared in holding cells, on bean leaves previously dipped in a pesticide solution. Three insecticides (pyrethrins, spinosad and thiamethoxam), an insecticide-acaricide (abamectin), and two fungicides (azoxystrobin and tolylfluanide) were evaluated. The strain of P. persimilis used for evaluation was collected from unsprayed vegetable plants. All the pesticides affected the survival and fecundity of P. persimilis. Pesticides did not affect the egg-hatching of P. persimilis females exposed to pesticides. Pyrethrins and abamectin proved to be more toxic than other pesticides, and thiamethoxam was more toxic than spinosad, azoxystrobin and tolylfluanide. The escape rate from experimental units was lower than 5% in all trials. Additional experiments were performed on P. persimilis eggs by dipping leaves with eggs in the pesticide solution. None of the pesticides affected egg survival. Semi-field trials conducted on potted bean plants obtained results similar to those reported in laboratory trials.     

Plant spatial distribution and predator–prey ratio affect biological control of the twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) by the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effect of plant spacing and predator–prey ratio on dispersal and foraging efficiency of the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis, on the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae. When predators were released at the end of spider mite-infested arrays of lima bean plants that had either no spacing or two different patterns of spacing among plant rows, plant damage was uniformly low throughout the experiment at both predator–prey ratios (1:10 and 3:10) in the treatment with no spacing. In contrast, damage was higher in both treatments where plant rows were interrupted by spacing. At the 1:10 ratio, more plants closer to the predator release point experienced moderate damage than at the 3:10 ratio where only the plant rows farthest from the release point had unacceptable damage. Our findings suggest that point releases of P. persimilis at the standard 1:10 predator–prey ratio should be effective within a diameter of at least 65?cm on mite-infested patches of plants where pots are touching. However, if gaps in plant rows exist, even large numbers of predators may not be sufficient to protect parts of the crop unless predators are released at shorter fixed points in the greenhouse crop.     

Comparison of thermal activity thresholds of the spider mite predators Phytoseiulus macropilis and Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The lower and upper thermal activity thresholds of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus macropilis Banks (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were compared with those of its prey Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and one of the alternative commercially available control agents for T. urticae, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot. Adult female P. macropilis retained ambulatory function (CT_min) and movement of appendages (chill coma) at significantly lower temperatures (8.2 and 0.4 °C, respectively) than that of P. persimilis (11.1 and 3.3 °C) and T. urticae (10.6 and 10.3 °C). As the temperature was raised, P. macropilis ceased walking (CT_max) and entered heat coma (42.7 and 43.6 °C), beyond the upper locomotory limits of P. persimilis (40.0 and 41.1 °C), but before T. urticae (47.3 and 48.7 °C). Walking speeds were investigated and P. persimilis was found to have significantly faster ambulation than P. macropilis and T. urticae across a range of temperatures. The lower thermal activity threshold data indicate that P. macropilis will make an effective biological control agent in temperate climates.     

A novel disease affecting the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari, Phytoseiidae): evidence for the involvement of bacteria

Adult female Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari, Phytoseiidae) of a laboratory population show drastic changes in foraging behavior, anatomy and life history compared to typical laboratory populations. We demonstrated earlier that the set of characteristic symptoms, called non-responding (NR) syndrome, is transmitted horizontally between and among predator generations via feces and debris deposited by symptomatic females. Here, we prove that bacteria present in feces and debris deposited by symptomatic females are involved in the induction of the NR-syndrome. The potential of predator products to induce the NR-syndrome was assayed by keeping healthy adult female predators during a period of 3 days on prey-infested bean leaves, which had previously been sprayed with an aqueous suspension of feces and debris. The NR-syndrome was clearly induced in those predators that had been exposed to a suspension collected from symptomatic females (incubation time 4-6 days, 93% shrunken females), whereas predators exposed to a suspension collected from non-symptomatic females did not show the NR-syndrome. Moreover, predators from the first group transmitted infectious products themselves already 5 days after the initial exposure, whereas this was not the case for the second predator group. The bioassay used in the present study is important for laboratories and companies as it can be applied for testing the presence of the novel disease in populations of P. persimilis. To investigate the involvement of bacteria in syndrome induction we (1) eliminated bacteria from a feces-and-debris suspension of symptomatic females by passing the suspension through a bacterial microfilter and (2) added the antibiotic tetracycline to a suspension of feces and debris from symptomatic females. A suspension of feces and debris collected from symptomatic females did not induce the NR-symptom after bacteria had been eliminated, whereas an untreated portion of the same suspension did so. Moreover, the NR-syndrome was induced in predators exposed to an aqueous suspension of the residues that had not passed the bacterial filter. A suspension of feces and debris collected from symptomatic females, to which the antibiotic tetracycline had been added, did not induce the NR-syndrome whereas the same suspension did induce all symptoms when no tetracycline was added. These findings prove that bacteria are involved in the induction of the NR-syndrome. The results are discussed in the context of mite pathology and biological control.