基于SSR标记的琅琊山球孢白僵菌寄主专化性

球孢白僵菌Beauveria bassiana是一类常见的昆虫病原真菌,其自然侵染的寄主昆虫众多,达15目149科750种。为了解球孢白僵菌自然种群的遗传多样性,探讨种群异质性和寄主来源之间的关系,分析其寄主专化性的强弱,本研究利用SSR分子标记技术,比较了安徽琅琊山国家森林公园的85株球孢白僵菌（寄主种类涉及7目24种）群体遗传多样性差异,通过构建聚类树分析菌株基因型和寄主关联性。结果表明琅琊山球孢白僵菌群体Nei’s基因多样性指数h=0.2906,Shannon信息指数I_s=0.4510,多态位点百分率P为100%。不同寄主目球孢白僵菌遗传多样性水平由高至低为鞘翅目>膜翅目>同翅目>双翅目>鳞翅目>直翅目>半翅目,其中菌株数量较多的鞘翅目、膜翅目和同翅目3个亚种群的遗传多样性较高且水平接近。聚类分析发现8对SSR引物将85株球孢白僵菌分成29个基因型,并在遗传相似系数0.70处分别聚为3个分支。分析寄主类型发现相同基因型的株系可侵染不同目的寄主,而同一类型寄主也可被不同基因型的菌株侵染。球孢白僵菌种群的总体遗传多样性较高,遗传谱系与寄主来源无明显相关性,菌株的寄主专化性弱。     

球孢白僵菌种群在松林中的寄主转移及遗传多样性对松毛虫持续控制的影响

通过林间接种式放菌及其后一周年的野外调查,从林间采集到30种寄主昆虫及从土壤、落叶和气流中分离到119株球孢白僵菌.酯酶同工酶分析表明,它们属于32个不同酯酶型,呈现出丰富的遗传多样性.释放菌株所属的酯酶型02包括从11种昆虫上分离出的18个菌株,表明林间释放的菌株已成功地在不同寄主昆虫种群中宿存下来,并以常发的地方病状态存在于松毛虫及松灰象甲等12种昆虫种群之中;当林间目标寄主缺乏时,其它寄主可将食物链维系下去.其它酯酶型分别包括1～23个菌株.一周年内的寄主转移动态结果表明,球孢白僵菌在松林生态系统中不同寄主间可转移寄生.每个酯酶型中的菌株对松毛虫的毒力相差很大.表明球孢白僵菌在松林中的延续和扩散流行不是1条路线,每个酯酶型至少代表食物网上的1条支链.有些环节的寄主连接了不同的酯酶型,使松林中食物网变得十分复杂.另外,从土壤、枯枝落叶层、林冠层和空气中分离到的球孢白僵菌分属于不同的酯酶型,表明松林中还存在着复杂的腐生食物链,有利于松毛虫及其它害虫的持续控制.     

瓜类枯萎病菌遗传多样性和亲缘关系的SRAP分析

尖孢镰刀菌可造成不同瓜类的枯萎病.为明确不同寄主、不同地区的瓜类枯萎病菌菌株间的遗传多样性及亲缘关系,采用相关序列扩增多态性(SRAP)分子标记技术,对来源于不同地区、不同寄主的95株尖孢镰刀菌的基因组DNA进行多态性扩增.以筛选出的19对引物共扩增出238条带,多态性比率为100%,平均每对引物扩增出12.5个位点和12.5个多态性位点;尖孢镰刀菌苦瓜专化型共扩增出166条带,其中145条为多态性条带,多态性比率为87.4%,平均每对引物扩增出8.7个位点和7.7个多态性位点,说明尖孢镰刀菌的遗传变异较为广泛.瓜类枯萎病菌株间的遗传相似系数范围为0.68～0.99,样品间的平均Nei遗传多样性指数和Shannon指数分别为0.2390和0.3718.在遗传相似系数为0.74时,可将供试的95株尖孢镰刀菌划分为苦瓜、黄瓜、西瓜、甜瓜4个专化群.在SRAP聚类树中,同一寄主的尖孢镰刀菌聚在一个分支上,其中尖孢镰刀菌苦瓜专化型菌株间的遗传相似系数范围为0.78～0.99,Nei遗传多样性指数为0.1811,平均Shannon指数为0.2750,表明尖孢镰刀菌苦瓜专化型的遗传变异较大,且菌株的聚群与地理来源存在相关性.     

Avirulence gene and insertion element-based RFLP as well as RAPD markers reveal high levels of genomic polymorphism in the rice pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae

Genetic polymorphism within the genomes of bacterial pathogens determines their evolutionary potential during long-term interaction with their hosts. To investigate the level of genetic variation in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), the causative agent of rice bacterial blight disease, three DNA marker systems, including (i) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the avrBs3/PthA family genes (avrXa27), (ii) RFLP of insertion (IS) elements and (iii) random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, were used to detect polymorphism among 32 Xoo strains that differed in their virulence patterns. All these strains contained multiple avrXa27 homologs that were variable in copy number and genomic location. RFLP of six IS elements revealed that these mobile sequences were abundant in Xoo genomes, with 150 of the total of 165 discernable markers being variable. Thirty-eight decamer primers of RAPD amplified a total of 691 bands, with 100% of them being variable. In addition, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of data from RFLP analysis of IS elements and from RAPD analysis showed that most of the genetic variation residues were within Xoo populations, rather than between populations. Although all three DNA marker systems supported that substantial variation was maintained in Xoo genomes, Mantel tests did not identify significant correlation between the similarity coefficients calculated from them. The results of the present study indicated that Xoo genomes contain a high level of genetic polymorphism, which greatly facilitates the evolution of this important pathogen during interaction with its host rice plant.     

不同来源鼠李糖乳杆菌的随机扩增多态DNA分析

[目的]建立鼠李糖乳杆菌(Lactobacillus rhamnosus,Lr)菌株之间的分子鉴别方法并分析不同分离株之间的遗传多样性.[方法]从56份采集自中国新疆和田和广西巴马瑶族自治县的长寿老人粪便样本中分离得到的乳酸菌中,经生理生化分析和API 50CHL试验条鉴定,获得10株Lr.对10株Lr分离株和1株Lr标准株ATCC7469进行了随机扩增多态DNA分析,从50条随机引物中筛选到5条在菌株水平上具有鉴别力的引物P14、OPG28、OPG25、P7和P4并建立和优化了Lr菌株RAPD指纹图谱扩增方法.根据RAPD结果计算菌株间的遗传相似系数并进行聚类分析.[结果]获得了清晰稳定的DNA指纹图谱,扩增产物大小在100～2000bp之间,菌株间呈现显著的DNA多态性,不同来源的Lr分离株的遗传相似系数在0.581～0.935之间,在相似系数0.80水平上可以将11株Lr菌株分为5个类群,其中分离自新疆和田的Lr菌株归在类群B和类群C,而分离自广西巴马瑶族自治县的Lr菌株归在类群D和类群E.[结论]应用RAPD方法对Lr菌株进行分子鉴别是可行的,不同来源的Lr之间存在着较大的种内遗传多态性和不同的亲缘关系.     

RAPD-PCR analysis of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from bovine and human hosts

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important pathogens in humans and animals. In this study eighty strains were analyzed by RAPD-PCR to assess the genetic relationship between S. aureus isolates from bovine and human hosts. Results were compared with those obtained by biotyping. Fifty-two percent of the S. aureus isolates belonged to a host specific biotype (human, bovine and poultry). Bovine and human ecovars were the most prevalent. Dendrogram obtained by RAPD results showed that all the isolates clustered into eleven groups (A-K) at a relative genetic similarity of less than 30% when analyzed with the three primers. Group A clustered 95% of the human host isolates and the remaining groups (B-K) clustered the bovine host isolates. Principal coordinate analysis also showed that the isolates could be arbitrarily divided into two groups, bovine and human, by the second coordinate. Only 9 isolates (11%) were not clustered into these groups. The genetic diversity among the S. aureus isolates from bovine hosts is relatively low compared to that of isolates from human hosts. There were no statistically significant differences among isolated from bovine and human hosts. This study shows that RAPD-PCR assayed with three primers can be successfully applied to assess the genetic relationship of S. aureus isolates from different hosts.     

Vegetative compatibility groups in indigenous and mass-released strains of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana: likelihood of recombination in the field

Using nitrate non-utilizing (nit) mutants, we determined vegetative compatibility groups (VCG) among strains of Beauveria bassiana representing strains indigenous to North America, isolated from diverse insect hosts, and strains that have been mass released for insect control. Genetic similarity among these strains was analyzed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Our data revealed 23 VCGs among the 34 strains tested, with most of these groups comprised of only a single strain. We also observed a VCG comprised of eight genetically similar strains isolated from Colorado potato beetles (CPB). Co-inoculation studies of CPB larvae with complementary nit mutants from the same or from different VCGs revealed heterokaryosis in four out of five same-VCG pairs, with only 5-17% of the sporulating cadavers generating few parasexual recombinants. In contrast, none of the infected beetles treated with non-compatible pairs generated recombinants. The large number of VCGs observed and the low frequency of in vivo recombination limited to vegetatively compatible strains indicate that this self/non-self recognition system may be an effective barrier preventing genetic exchange between dissimilar strains in the field.     

Genomic fingerprinting of Bradyrhizobium japonicum isolates by RAPD and rep-PCR

Genetic diversity of indigenous Bradyrhizobium japonicum population in Croatia was studied by using different PCR-based fingerprinting methods. Characteristic DNA profiles for 20 B. japonicum field isolates and two reference strains were obtained using random primers (RAPD) and two sets of repetitive primers (REP- and ERIC-PCR). In comparison with the REP, the ERIC primer set generates fingerprints of lower complexity, but still several strain-specific bands were detected. Different B. japonicum isolates could be more efficiently distinguished by using combined results from REP- and ERIC-PCR. The most polymorphic bands were observed after amplification with four different RAPD primers. Both methods, RAPD and rep-PCR, resulted in identical grouping of the strains. Cluster analysis, irrespective of the fingerprinting method used, revealed that all the isolates could be divided into three major groups. Within the major groups, the degree of relative similarity between B. japonicum isolates was dependent upon the method used. Our results indicate that both RAPD and rep-PCR fingerprinting can effectively distinguish different B. japonicum strains. RAPD fingerprinting proved to be slightly more discriminatory than rep-PCR.     

Effect of combination treatment with entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Nomuraea rileyi (Hypocreales) on Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidaeae)

In biocontrol of insect pests, efficacy of treatment with multiple pathogens has not been frequently investigated but may have potential for effective management. The possible advantage of a combination treatment with two entomopathogenic fungi - Beauveria bassiana and Nomuraea rileyi - was assessed in laboratory bioassays on second instar Spodoptera litura. From among the fungal isolates of an epizootic population, two isolates of each fungus differing in virulence to S. litura were chosen, one highly virulent and the other with low virulence. The bioassays were carried out at either a continuous temperature of 25±1°C or at a temperature cycle of 32±2°C 8 h/21±2°C 16 h to mimic the field temperatures during the epizootic. Treatments with the two fungi were done both simultaneously and sequentially. In combination treatments at 25±1°C, in all isolate combinations, a majority of the larvae showed N. rileyi induced mycosis; the percentage mortality and speed of kill of insects in these treatments was similar to the N. rileyi isolate used in the combination treatments. At the temperature cycle of 32±2°C 8 h/21±2°C 16 h, in all combination treatments, all the dead insects exhibited B. bassiana mycosis; the mortality pattern was similar to the B. bassiana isolate used in the combination treatments. The adverse effect of high temperature on virulence of N. rileyi was however, not evident in in vitro growth assays. Combination treatment with both fungi did not have a synergistic effect on insect mortality.     

黑龙江省大豆菌核病菌核盘菌遗传多样性分析

了解黑龙江省不同地区侵染大豆核盘菌菌株分离物间的主要特性差异,利用PDA培养基对核盘菌进行分离和纯化,同时利用RAPD和rDNA-ITS标记方法对核盘菌进行遗传多样性分析,获得了50株纯化的核盘菌,用RAPD标记确定的遗传相似系数范围为0.54-0.98,平均相似系数为0.76,说明供试的核盘菌菌株的基因型具有一定的差异。对50个测定序列有差异的32个核盘菌ITS和5.8S rDNA片段的多序列对位分析,在ITS1区域的1-40bp种间变化较大,主要以碱基颠换和转换为进化形式。ITS2区域非常保守没有变异位点。黑龙江省核盘菌菌株在DNA水平上和ITS间隔区上具有较显著的遗传变异,显示出丰富的遗传多样性。     

Horizontal transfer and hypovirulence associated with double-stranded RNA in Beauveria bassiana

Beauveria bassiana strains from different hosts and geographic origins were assayed for the presence of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Two of them (15.4 %) showed extra bands, with approximately 4.0–3.5 kb and 2–0.7 kb, respectively, after electrophoretic separation of undigested nucleic acids. Virus-like particles were approximately 28–30 nm diam. The dsRNA was maintained after conidiogenesis (vertical transmission) and was transmitted horizontally by hyphal anastomosis. Strains purged of dsRNA obtained after cycloheximide treatment showed increased conidial production when compared with strains carrying dsRNA particles. Bioassays demonstrated hypovirulence associated with dsRNA. The mean mortality against the insect Euschistus heros was reduced in strains containing dsRNA when compared with the isogenic dsRNA-free ones.     

Molecular assessment of diversity among endophytic diazotrophs isolated from subtropical Indian sugarcane

Twenty-two endophytic bacterial isolates from the roots of sugarcane were compared morphologically, biochemically and genetically. Gram staining, colony pigment, texture and other cultural characteristics were taken for morphological characterization. Oxidation-fermentation tests for D-glucose and D-sucrose, production of acid and hydrogen from different carbon source, oxidase activity, antibiotic and drug resistance patterns were chosen as the biochemical and physiological criteria. Twelve random decamer primers were used to analyze and compare these isolates through RAPD among themselves as well as with known standard diazotrophic strains. The isolates were compared through dendrograms constructed on the basis of similarity patterns obtained from biochemical and RAPD analysis. The estimated diversity through RAPD analysis was more evident than the diversity on the basis of morphological and biochemical characters. Within Acetobacter group, the isolates showed substantial genetic diversity for future exploitation as PGPRs and diazotrophic associative endophytes.     

Genomic fingerprinting of Bradyrhizobium japonicum isolates by RAPD and rep-PCR

Genetic diversity of indigenous Bradyrhizobium japonicum population in Croatia was studied by using different PCR-based fingerprinting methods. Characteristic DNA profiles for 20 B. japonicum field isolates and two reference strains were obtained using random primers (RAPD) and two sets of repetitive primers (REP- and ERIC-PCR). In comparison with the REP, the ERIC primer set generates fingerprints of lower complexity, but still several strain-specific bands were detected. Different B. japonicum isolates could be more efficiently distinguished by using combined results from REP- and ERIC-PCR. The most polymorphic bands were observed after amplification with four different RAPD primers. Both methods, RAPD and rep-PCR, resulted in identical grouping of the strains. Cluster analysis, irrespective of the fingerprinting method used, revealed that all the isolates could be divided into three major groups. Within the major groups, the degree of relative similarity between B. japonicum isolates was dependent upon the method used. Our results indicate that both RAPD and rep-PCR fingerprinting can effectively distinguish different B. japonicum strains. RAPD fingerprinting proved to be slightly more discriminatory than rep-PCR.     

Variation in virulence of Beauveria bassiana isolates and its relatedness to some morphological characteristics

Ten Beauveria bassiana isolates were characterized using the following parameters: virulence, morphological measurements, germination in solid and liquid media, in vitro growth and physiological changes in liquid media. There were significant differences in mortality of second-instar larvae of the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and the Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) according to isolate used (DBM; 14.51-53.37%, CPB; 25.05-74.07%). The most virulent isolates to DBM and CPB were KCF107 (soil origin) and KCF106 (Chilo suppressalis origin), respectively. Several morphological and physiological characteristics of isolates were evaluated for a possible link to virulence against both insect species. Special mean diameter (2.45-3.58 µm) and area of conidia (5.72-10.25 µm²) were significantly different among isolates. Time for 50% of conidia to germinate (GT₅₀) varied from 11 to 21 h depending on isolate. There was no correlation to virulence of size of conidia, GT_50, red pigment production and mycelial growth. Acidity of 7-day-old broth cultures of isolates was positively correlated with virulence. Iranian isolates KCF106 and KCF107 were the most promising and virulent isolates but field testing is needed to further evaluate their potential for use in DBM and CPB management.     

Intraspecific genetic variability of Edwardsiella tarda strains from cultured turbot

Edwardsiella tarda is an enterobacterial fish pathogen that causes mortality in various fish species worldwide. In this study, we analyzed the intraspecific variability in a collection of E. tarda strains isolated from turbot. To do this we employed 4 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods: (1) random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), (2) enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR), (3) repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR (REP-PCR) and (4) BOX-PCR. E. tarda isolates from different hosts were also included for comparison. E. tarda strains from turbot showed high molecular homogeneity when RAPD (primers P3 and P6), ERIC-PCR and BOX-PCR were employed. However, with regard to the REP-PCR and RAPD (primers P4 and P5) techniques, different genetic groups could be established within these isolates using either technique. The 2 RAPD types presented an 85% similarity, while those obtained with REP-PCR showed 74% similarity. Based on the results obtained, although a high genetic homogeneity was found in turbot isolates, the RAPD test (with primers P4 and P5) and REP-PCR were capable of discrimination within these strains, and they are therefore considered the most appropriate typing methods for studies of edwardsiellosis in turbot.     

苜蓿、草木樨、锦鸡儿根瘤菌的表型多样性分析

选用48株分离自新疆和内蒙的苜蓿属、草木樨属、锦鸡儿属植物的根瘤菌菌株, 进行了营养利用、抗生素抗性、耐逆性和酶活性测定等133个表型性状分析。发现分离自同种寄主植物的根瘤菌由于地理来源的不同而存在着较大的多样性。通过数值分类,各已知种分别聚群,41株未知菌在85%的相似水平上分为3个不同于已知种的群。群1的菌株主要分自苜蓿,群2的菌株主要分自草木樨,群3的菌株分自锦鸡儿,XJ96 333(寄主为Melilotus)作为1个单株在84%的相似水平上和群1聚在一起。NM 020(寄主为Caragana)在88%的相似水平上和R.leguminosarum聚在一起; NM 183、NM 218(寄主为Caragana)在86%的相似水平上和S.fredii聚在一起; 在67%的相似水平上, XJ96 482(寄主为Medicago sativa)和其它所有供试菌株聚群。群1、2、3的所有菌株能在含2.0%(340 mM)NaCl的YMA培养基上、pH 9.0的YMA培养基、40℃的高温下生长; 群3的所有菌株还能在含3.0%(510 mM)NaCl的YMA培养基上生长;群1中90%的菌株和群2、3的所有菌株能在10℃的低温下生长。 表明群1、2、3的菌株具有较强的耐盐碱、耐高低温的特性。和已知种S.meliloti具有相同寄主的群1、群2在85%相似水平上未和S.meliloti聚群,表现了这两群菌在表型上的多样性。     

毛木耳种质资源的RAPD分析

利用22个随机引物对来源不同的56个木耳菌株进行了RAPD分析。结果表明,所有引物的扩增产物DNA片段均表现出明显的多态性,供试菌株总共扩增出164条多态性片段,占总扩增片段的99%;供试菌株两两间的遗传相似系数变化较大(平均GS值0.2143￣0.8764)。采用系统聚类法中的类平均法,对供试的所有菌株两两间相似系数进行聚类,可将它们分为四大类,各大类的类间和类内菌株的遗传变异程度较大,以IV类内各菌株间的最高(平均GS值0.3891),II和III类间的最低(平均GS值0.5887),表明遗传变异也较丰富(总平均GS值0.4918)。将RAPD技术应用于不同菌株间遗传差异的研究,具有反应迅速、不受外界环境条件影响、能从DNA分子水平上揭示菌株间遗传差异等优点,是一种快速准确评估木耳种质资源的有效方法。     

Characterization and taxonomic placement of Rhizoctonia-like endophytes from orchid roots

Twenty-one Rhizoctonia-like fungal strains were isolated from the roots of four terrestrial orchid species from various locations in Hong Kong. The cultural morphology, nuclear number of the hyphal cell, pore ultrastructure, and RAPD and CAPS analyses of rDNA fragments revealed that most of these isolates were associated with the genera Ceratorhiza and Epulorhiza. RAPD analysis showed the presence of genetic diversity between the isolates from different hosts and locations. The compatibility between a selection of these Ceratorhiza and Epulorhiza isolates and 14 orchid species was determined using a symbiotic germination method. The germination and development of three orchid species, Arundina chinensis, Spathoglottis pubescens, and Spiranthes hongkongensis, were strongly stimulated by the Epulorhiza isolates. Habenaria dentata was found to form symbionts successfully with a Ceratorhiza isolate.     

黑龙江省葫芦科白粉病菌RAPD分析

2010年采集黑龙江省不同生态区不同设施内的甜瓜、黄瓜、南瓜、西瓜等瓜类白粉病菌菌株17份,采用国际通用的瓜类白粉病菌生理小种鉴别寄主对17份白粉病菌进行了生理小种鉴定。根据13个鉴别寄主的抗感反应,初步确定黑龙江省葫芦科作物白粉病菌存在3个生理小种,即单囊壳白粉菌Podosphaera xanthii的生理小种1和生理小种N1号及一个新生理小种,其中生理小种1为优势小种。通过对13份白粉病菌的RAPD分析,从119个随机引物中筛选出10个条带清晰而且重复性好的引物,扩增得到157个位点,其中多态性位点为138个,多态性位点频率为97.89%,表明黑龙江省葫芦科作物白粉菌具有丰富的遗传多样性。利用NTSYS-PC软件进行数据分析,结果表明13个菌株之间遗传相似系数的变化幅度为0.52－0.75。根据遗传相似系数用类平均法（UPGMA）对其聚类,以遗传相似系数0.60为阈值,供试菌株可区分为4个类群。同是生理小种1的菌株部分聚到了同一类,新生理小种与部分生理小种1菌株聚到同一类,同是生理小种N1的两个菌株未聚到同一类;相同地理来源或相同寄主来源的白粉菌也未聚到一类。初步确定葫芦科白粉病菌致病性与DNA多态性不形成对应关系,菌株的遗传多样性与菌株地理来源、寄主来源及设施类型亦无明显的直接关系。     

Laboratory and glasshouse evaluation of entomopathogenic fungi against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), on tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum

Forty isolates of entomopathogenic fungi from six genera were assessed against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, in a single dose, direct application laboratory bioassay on tomato leaflets. Only three isolates caused greater mortality than the control: these were Metarhizium anisopliae 442.99, Hirsutella spp. 457.99, and Verticillium lecanii 450.99. These isolates were assessed in a multiple dose bioassay, together with three isolates cultured from commercial biopesticides as follows: Beauveria bassiana 432.99 (cultured from 'Naturalis-L', Troy Biosciences, Phoenix, TX, USA); Hirsutella thompsonii 463.99 (cultured from 'Mycar', Abbott Laboratories USA); and V. lecanii 19.79 (used in 'Mycotal' Koppert BV, The Netherlands). Beauveria bassiana 432.99, H. thompsonii 463.99, M. anisopliae 442.99, and V. lecanii 450.99 were all pathogenic to T. urticae in this bioassay. In addition, it was found that the mortality caused by B. bassiana 432.99 and Naturalis-L was increased when the mites were exposed to tomato leaflets sprayed previously with conidia suspensions, compared to spraying the mites directly. In a glasshouse experiment, sprays of B. bassiana 432.99, H. thompsonii 463.99, M. anisopliae 442.99, V. lecanii 450.99 and Naturalis-L reduced T. urticae populations in a tomato crop grown according to commercial practice. Naturalis-L reduced T. urticae numbers by up to 97%. In a second glasshouse experiment, single sprays of Naturalis-L and the acaricide fenbutatin oxide (Torq) were compared as supplementary treatments to release of the predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis. Supplementary sprays of fenbutatin oxide reduced the numbers of T. urticae nymphs (80% reduction), while Naturalis-L reduced numbers of T. urticae adults, nymphs and eggs (98% reduction in all three cases). It is concluded that Naturalis-L has the potential to be used against T. urticae on glasshouse tomato crops.