The use of image analysis to study the effects of residues of esfenvalerate on the locomotory behaviour of Panonychus ulmi and Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae)

The influences of esfenvalerate on mite behaviour were investigated by image analysis. Video recordings of the locomotory behaviour of two mite species were converted into a series of x,y coordinates that, when joined, closely resembled their paths. These coordinates were used to calculate walking speed, direction of travel, turning frequency, turn bias and tortuosity. Two experimental arenas were used: (1) a leaf disc arena for the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi and (2) a glass coverslip arena for Typhlodromus pyri. The behavioural responses of P. ulmi and T. pyri to esfenvalerate (field rate) indicated that these mites did not show a preference for the unsprayed halves of the arenas during the first 48 min. However, significant differences between most of the behavioural parameters to esfenvalerate residues were found with P. ulmi when whole arenas were compared. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Host plant-mediated interactions between Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus carpini borealis (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Competitive interactions between Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus carpini borealis were investigated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. When placed first to colonize red raspberry leaves, T. urticae caused extinction of E. carpini borealis populations. E. carpini borealis had detrimental effects on T. urticae but did not cause T. urticae population extinction. The area used by E. carpini borealis for egg deposition decreased with an increase in the number of T. urticae eggs. Red raspberry showed an induced response to T. urticae and E. carpini borealis feeding after two weeks of infestation. Population growth of each species was reduced on plants that were previously infested by conspecifics but inducible response by one species had no effects on the other species.     

Within-plant and within-leaf dispersion pattern of two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on okra

Tetranychus urticae distribution on spatial scale both within leaf and within plant was assessed by the index of dispersion (Id), Lloyd's mean crowding index (Imc), Lloyd's patchiness index (Ip) and Morisita's index (I _δ). Id values in all leaves and leaf parts promised aggregated distribution regardless of leaf position and leaf areas. The values of Imc estimated were all larger than the mean. The value of Ip and I _δ  also indicated increased degree of aggregation and clumping in all leaves and leaf areas. While pattern of distribution is same in all the leaves and leaf parts, population estimated is high in young fully opened top leaves than the grown-up middle and bottom leaves. Within the young leaf, top area of upper side of the leaf housed relatively increased number of T. urticae than bottom area of upper side of the leaf. Because young fully opened leaves consistently contained major proportion of mites (48.33%), particularly the top leaf area (79.62%), these leaves and leaf areas can be used as sampling unit for population estimation to minimise the time spent on sampling. However, it warrants future research for predictive models to associate a number of mites of top leaf to other leaves and top area to other areas. Further, releasing predators in young fully opened leaves may increase predator efficiency if supplementary studies on predator–prey relationship on spatial scale are triggered.     

Prey stage preference and functional response of Euseius hibisci to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

The aims of this study were: (a) determine the prey stage preference of female Euseius hibisci (Chant) (Phytoseiidae) at constant densities of different stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Tetranychidae), (b) assess the functional response of the predator females to the varying densities of eggs, larvae, or protonymphs of T. urticae, and (c) estimate the functional response of E. hibisci when pollen of Ligustrum ovalifolium was present as well. We conducted experiments on excised pieces of strawberry leaf arenas (Fragaria ananassa) under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 5% RH and 12 h photophase. Our results indicated that the predator consumed significantly more prey eggs than other prey stages. Consumption of prey deutonymphs and adults was so low that they were excluded from the non-choice functional response experiments. The functional response on all food items was of type II. The two parameters of the functional response were estimated for each prey type by means of the adjusted non-linear regression model. The highest estimated value a (instantaneous rate of discovery) and the lowest value of T_h (handling time, including digestion) were found for the predator feeding on prey eggs, and a was lowest and T_h highest when fed protonymphs. Using the jack-knife method, the values for the functional response parameters were estimated. The values of a and T_h produced by the model were similar among all prey types except for the eggs, which were different. Using pollen simultaneously with prey larvae decreased the consumption of the latter over the full range of prey densities The suitability of this predator for biological control of T. urticae on strawberry is discussed.     

Effects of pesticides on spin down and webbing production by the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Spin down in response to pesticides is a known phenomenon. This study aimed at investigating the effects of varying acaricide concentrations and acaricidal combinations on the rate of spin down and thread length, the fate of mites after spinning down and, thus, the implications of spin down in the context of mite control and the relationship between webbing and the efficacy of ovicides. In response to cyhexatin at a concentration of up to 100 mg dm-3 the rate of spin down did not change, but in response to higher concentrations it occurred earlier and ceased before the end of the experiment. The mean thread length did not vary with the concentration of acaricide and, whilst the proportion of mites spinning down increased with a cyhexatin concentration of up to 10 mg dm-3, it did not increase further with higher concentrations thereafter. It is therefore postulated that at any given time only a certain proportion of mites have a propensity to spin down. In combination with cyhexatin, only amitraz (at low concentrations) increased the proportion of mites spinning down, but amitraz (at higher concentrations), flubenzimine and permethrin all inhibited spin down, which may be a useful attribute in pesticide formulations. With regard to the fate of mites after spinning down, they were able to climb back up threads, but the proportion doing so was too small to be of practical importance. Mites which spin down and remain at the end of a thread die, but those which reached another leaf were able to spin down again and were more likely to do so if the leaf bore a cyhexatin residue. Mites reaching another leaf are also able to lay eggs, the number being greater if the leaf which they reach is untreated. Spin down is therefore likely to be of significant advantage to Tetranychus urticae in avoidance of the effects of acaricides. Finally, some eggs were observed to be laid on webbing and not to come into direct contact with clofentezine residues. The use of a fine water spray to simulate dew increased the ovitoxicity of clofentezine, probably by resuspension of the pesticide, but not of amitraz, which inhibits webbing production. The avoidance of acaricides should be added to the several known advantages of webbing production for spider mites. It is concluded that, all other factors being equal, pesticide formulations which inhibit spin down and webbing production are likely to be more effective in control programmes than those which stimulate such behaviour.     

Microbial diversity in the predatory mite Metaseiulus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and its prey, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Microorganisms associated with the predatory mite Metaseiulus (=Typhlodromus or Galendromus) occidentalis (Nesbitt) and its prey, the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Koch), were assessed using a high-fidelity polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol and primers designed to identify Eubacteria, Archaeabacteria, iridoviruses, Helicosporidia, Cytophaga-like microorganisms, Wolbachia and its bacteriophage WO, fungi and yeast-like organisms. Sequences from four bacterial species related to Wolbachia (α-Proteobacteria), Cardinium, Bacteroidetes, and Enterobacter (γ-Proteobacteria) were obtained from M. occidentalis, and three sequences related to Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Caulobacter (α-Proteobacteria) were obtained from T. urticae. No nucleotide differences were detected between the 16S rRNA, wspA or wspB Wolbachia sequences obtained from M. occidentalis and T. urticae, which suggest that horizontal transfer of Wolbachia could have occurred. Southern blot analyses of genomic DNA from both M. occidentalis and T. urticae using wspA probes were negative, indicating that this Wolbachia sequence is not integrated into the nuclear genome of either species. Two of the T. urticae colonies tested contained the WO bacteriophage, but none of the six M. occidentalis populations were infected. New M. occidentalis-specific forward and reverse 16S rRNA primers based on the Wolbachia, Cardinium, Bacteroidetes, and Enterobacter sequences obtained were designed and used to amplify PCR products from each of two laboratory and four field-collected samples of M. occidentalis females and eggs, indicating that these infections are widespread. Likewise, species-specific primers for T. urticae were designed for the Wolbachia, Rickettsia, and Caulobacter sequences obtained and used to evaluate T. urticae from strawberries, wine grapes, hops, almonds, and cherries from California, Washington, and Florida; all were positive for Wolbachia and Caulobacter but two of the six were negative for Rickettsia. None of the M. occidentalis colonies tested were positive for the microsporidium Oligosporidium occidentalis, which previously had been associated with a pathogenic condition in some of our laboratory colonies. The Gainesville colonies of M. occidentalis and T. urticae were negative for iridovirus, Archaeabacteria, fungi, Helicosporidia, and yeast-like organisms. So far, Wolbachia is the only symbiont that is shared by this predator and its prey.     

Side effects of mancozeb on Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in vineyards: results of multi-year field trials and a laboratory study

The side effects of mancozeb on the predatory mite Typhlodromus pyri were studied in 4-year field trials on grapevine and in the laboratory. In the field, the effect of mancozeb varied according to previous mancozeb use. In vineyards where mancozeb had commonly been used over years, this fungicide is generally slightly toxic, in some cases moderately toxic and rarely toxic. In plots were mancozeb has never been used, its effect on T. pyri was more pronounced and varied from moderately toxic to toxic. Despite the toxicity of mancozeb, T. pyri populations have never been eradicated. Laboratory results obtained with the French CEB guideline no. 167 confirmed those of the 4-year field study: mancozeb was significantly more toxic to T. pyri populations collected in plots where it had rarely been used before the field experiment. In plots where mancozeb had been used for a long time, the susceptibility of T. pyri populations to this fungicide was reduced and female survival, fecundity but also viability of female progeny were less affected by mancozeb. Even though toxicity of mancozeb increased in controlled conditions, a significant correlation was established between field and laboratory results.     

Evaluation of Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi and Ohashi accessions for resistance to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari:Tetranychidae)

Under laboratory conditions 88 azuki bean and three rice bean accessions were evaluated with a leaf-disc technique to select for those which expressed an antibiotic response to the TSSM ovipositional rate. Nine of the most promising accessions determined in the screening and Erimo, a commercial cultivar used as a control, were re-evaluated to determine the ovipositional rate and fecundity. Statistically significant differences between accessions were found: some of the accessions exhibited a reduced TSSM ovipositional rate and fecundity when compared with the susceptible control. The accessions ADZU279 and ADZU514 from Japan and ADZU577 from Ivory Coast demonstrated strong inhibition to TSSM fecundity. These three accessions may possess inherent potential in a breeding programme designed to enhance resistance to T. urticae.     

Genetic distinctness between two forms of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) detected by electrophoresis

The genetic relatedness between the green and red forms of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, was analysed using an allozyme marker, MDH, detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cross experiments showed that each of the two forms had form-specific alleles for MDH. Furthermore, there was no overlapping in the alleles for MDH between the field populations of the two forms, suggesting that no gene flow would occur between them in the field.     

Biological studies of the predacious miteTyphlodromus pelargonicus a predator of the two spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae on cucumber plants [Acari: Phytoseiidae; Tetranychidae]

The predacious miteTyphlodromus pelargonicus El-Badry preyed on the different developmental stages of the two spotted spider miteTetranychus urticae Koch. The development was quickest and the number of prey consumed was highest when individuals were maintained on eggs compared with nymphs or adult female stages. The predator was able to develop and reproduce on the eriophyid miteEriophyes dioscoridis. Soliman & Abou-Awad, nymphs of the tobacco whiteflyBemisia tabaci (Genn.) and pollen grains ofPhoenix dactylifera andRicinus communis. The average number of eggs/♀/day was 1.4, 0.7, 1.2 and 0.9 on eriophyid, whitefly,Ph. dactylifera andR. communis respectively.      

Interactions in a tritrophic acarine predator-prey metapopulation system IV: effects of host plant condition on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Feeding by spider mites can cause severe injury to a host plant and lead to a decreasing per capita growth rate and an increasing per capita emigration rate. Such density-dependent responses to local conditions are important in a metapopulation context because they allow the herbivores to colonize new host plants and thereby prolong the time until regional (metapopulation) extinction. In order to include density-dependent responses of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) in a realistic metapopulation model, a series of greenhouse experiments was conducted with the purpose to quantify how the condition of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris) influences the demographic parameters of T. urticae. Plant age per se reduced the growth rate of the spider mites only slightly, whereas the growth rate declined significantly as the plants were injured by the mites. The relationships between plant condition (expressed by the plant injury index D) and the birth and loss (death + emigration) rates of the mites were quantified so as to predict population growth as a function of D. Maximum per capita growth rate (r) was estimated to be c. 0.21 day⁻¹. The growth rate is expected to be negative when D exceeds 0.8. When mites were allowed to emigrate to neighbouring plants via bridges, the per capita emigration rate increased almost exponentially with D. The proportion of eggs in the population decreased with D while the numerical ratio between immatures to adults and the sex ratio did not change with D. Overall, immatures and adults constituted 74% and 26%, respectively, of the active mites and c. 46% of the adults were males. The bridges that connected a donor plant with the surrounding recipient plants were responsible for the majority of the emigrations from donor plants. Most mites stopped after having crossed a single bridge, but a few crossed two bridges while none crossed three bridges within 24 h. The significance of the results for biological control is discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Genetic Analysis of Mancozeb Resistance in Typhlodromus Pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

A field population of Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) tolerant to mancozeb was selected in the laboratory. After 10 mancozeb selections the LC₅₀ value for mancozeb was 73 times higher in the selected-10 strain compared to the standard susceptible strain. A genetic analysis using reciprocal crosses and backcrosses of female F₁ progeny found no maternal effect. Resistance in the selected-10 strain was codominant in expression, dominance value was about −0.1. Backcrosses between F₁ females and the susceptible strain indicate that the resistance to mancozeb could be principally conferred by a predominant gene, but additional factors would also be involved.     

Sublethal effects of Thymus vulgaris essential oil on life-table parameters of two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Sublethal effects of Thymus vulgaris were investigated on life-table parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) in the laboratory conditions at 25?±?1?°C, 70?±?10% RH and a 14:10?h (L:D) photoperiod. Bioassay was conducted to assess the effect of different concentrations of T. vulgaris essential oil on two-spotted spider mite. LC₅₀ and LC₂₀ of T. vulgaris on T. urticae were calculated as 18.86 and 6.24?μl/litre air for 24?h after treatment. In the sublethal effects, after 24?h exposure to LC₅₀ concentration, mortality, fecundity and longevity of the females that survived from treatment were determined. Results showed that T. vulgaris caused significant reductions in fecundity and longevity of adults. Life-table assay indicated that the intrinsic rate of increase (r _m), net reproductive rate (R ₀), finite rate of increase (λ), mean generation time (T), significantly reduced in treated females compared to control. These results suggest that T. vulgaris could be incorporated in integrated pest management programmes of T. urticae.     

Interactions in a tritrophic acarine predator-prey metapopulation system V: Within-plant dynamics of Phytoseiulus persimilis and Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

To investigate the relative contributions of bottom-up (plant condition) and top-down (predatory mites) factors on the dynamics of the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), a series of experiments were conducted in which spider mites and predatory mites were released on bean plants. Plants inoculated with 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 adult female T. urticae were either left untreated or were inoculated with 3 or 5 adult female predators (Phytoseiulus persimilis) one week after the introduction of spider mites. Plant area, densities of T. urticae and P. persimilis, and plant injury were assessed by weekly sampling. Data were analysed by a combination of statistical methods and a tri-trophic mechanistic simulation model partly parameterised from the current experiments and partly from previous data. The results showed a clear effect of predators on the density of spider mites and on the plant injury they cause. Plant injury increased with the initial number of spider mites and decreased with the initial number of predators. Extinction of T. urticae, followed by extinction of P. persimilis, was the most likely outcome for most initial combinations of prey and predators. Eggs constituted a relatively smaller part of the prey population as plant injury increased and of the predator population as prey density decreased. We did not find statistical evidence of P. persimilis having preference for feeding on T. urticae eggs. The simulation model demonstrated that bottom-up and top-down factors interact synergistically to reduce the density of spider mites. This may have important implications for biological control of spider mites by means of predatory mites.     

Toxicity of a number of pesticides to strains ofTyphlodromus pyri andAmblyseius andersoni (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Side effects of ten pesticides used in orchards and vineyards were tested with a laboratory method on several Dutch and Italian strains of the predatory mitesTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten andAmblyseius andersoni (Chant). Resistant and susceptible strains of both species were studied. Results showed that a test which evaluates mortality of various developmental stages and fecundity of adult females is better than one that measures only survival of adult females. A definite resistance to certain pesticides was found in ItalianT. pyri andA. andersoni. The level of resistance to parathion, azinphos-methyl and carbaryl was particularly high in some strains ofA. andersoni. The high level of resistance to certain pesticides was often associated with a marked reduction in fecundity.      

Physiological effect of the host plant on the suitability ofTetranychus urticae as prey forPhytoseiulus persimilis [Acari: Tetranychidae,Phytoseiidae]

Weight gain of adult femalesPhytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot was determined after they were fed eggs or adult females ofTetranychus urticae Koch reared on either Lima bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) or nightshade (Solanum douglasii Dunal). No significant difference was found when the predator was fed eggs ofT. urticae reared on either host. Predators were heavier when fed adult femaleT. urticae reared on bean. Apparently, a factor determining the prey's suitability is incorporated into its hemolymph or tissues and is not restricted to its gut content.      

Interactions in a tritrophic acarine predator-prey metapopulation system III: effects of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on host plant condition

Spider mites are serious pests on many economically important plant species, because they may reduce plant productivity and, at high mite densities, overexploit and even kill the host plants. We have conducted a series of greenhouse experiments to quantify the effects of two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) on host plants (Phaseolusvulgaris). The average amount of chlorophyll per cm² leaf area was used as a measure of plant condition. It was shown that chlorophyll concentration decreases with plant age and intensity of spider mite feeding. Damage caused by spider mites was assessed visually, using the Leaf Damage Index (LDI) defined by, and a mathematical relationship between the visual measurements and the amount of chlorophyll/cm² was fitted to data. The relationship may serve as a short-cut to estimate overall plant injury, expressed as the relative loss of chlorophyll/cm² leaf area caused by spider mites (D). D takes values between 0 (no injury) and 1 (all leaves dead). A highly significant positive relationship between the instantaneous spider mite density and D was found, even though D is expected to reflect the cumulated density of mites (mite-days). A model of plant growth incorporating information about plant age and D predicts that plant area has a maximum when plant age is about 60 days, and that plant area decreases exponentially with an increase in D. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Reproductive parameters and life expectancy of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on 12 genotypes of melon and cucumber in laboratory condition

The effect of two host plant species including eight genotypes of melon (Cucumis melo L.) and four genotypes of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) was studied on reproductive parameters: life expectancy and mortality of Tetranychus urticae (Koch) at 25?±?1?°C, 60?±?5% rh and a photoperiod of 16L:8D hours. The results indicated that the highest value of the gross fecundity rate of T. urticae was 96.72?±?16.70 (eggs/female) on Mir sultan and the lowest value was 14.33?±?0.88 on Ananasi. The maximum value of gross fertility rate (41.55?±?4.79) was recorded on Sultan, while the minimum value (1.38?±?0.08) was recorded on Ananasi. The net fecundity rate was varied from 0.47?±?0.09 on Ananasi to 23.53?±?3.96 eggs/female on Sultan. The net fertility rate was 12.96?±?2.18 on Sultan and 0.04?±?0.009 on Ananasi, which was the maximum and minimum values, respectively. The range of gross hatch rate on different melon and cucumber genotypes was 9.67% on Ananasi to 72.46% on Super sultan. The cohort reared on Super sultan had the highest mean eggs per day and those on Shah abadi had the lowest mean eggs per day. In addition, the mite demonstrated the maximum value of mean fertile eggs per day with the amount of 1.66?±?0.19 eggs/female when fed on Sultan, and Ananasi demonstrated the minimum value (0.09?±?0.005). The life expectancy of one-day-old adults of T. urticae was estimated to be 16?days on Garmak Isfahan and 26.62 days on Mir sultan which is the maximum and minimum values, respectively. Furthermore, the highest mortality percentage of immature stages of T. urticae was recorded on Ananasi and the lowest was recorded on Super sultan. Comparison of the data collected in this study revealed that the mites had considerably better performance on cucumber genotypes than melon genotypes, so we can assume that cucumber is the preferable host species for T. urticae. The use of preferable and resistant host plants is helpful in crop rotation and it will be one of the beneficial strategies to integrated pest management programmes.     

Life-history traits of the six Panonychus species from Japan (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Six species of the genus Panonychus are known from Japan. Life-history parameters of all six species were investigated at 25 °C, and for three species two strains of different geographical origin were included. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m ) ranged from 0.172/day for the P. osmanthi albino strain to 0.209/day for P. citri, while the net reproductive rate (R ₀) varied from 23.98 in the thelytokous species P. thelytokus to 46.61 in P. citri. Both values were higher in the polyphagous species (P. ulmi, P. mori and P. citri), which are considered crop pests, than those in the oligophagous species (P. thelytokus and P. osmanthi), considered non-pests. The only exception was P. bambusicola, an oligophagous non-pest species with R ₀- and r _m -values closely resembling those of the three polyphagous species. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Relative toxicity of nC24 agricultural mineral oil to Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and its possible relationship to egg ultrastructure

The relative toxicity (LC₅₀ values based on µg oil/cm²) is evaluated of aqueous n C24 agricultural mineral oil (AMO) emulsions to the egg, six-legged nymph (larva), eight-legged protonymph and adult stages of two-spotted mite ( Tetranychus urticae ) and its predator, Phytoseiulus persimilis , on French bean leaf discs, using a Potter spray tower to apply of the oil. The egg of P. persimilis was the least susceptible stage (LC₅₀ 444.84) and its LC₅₀ was significantly higher than all other stages tested of either P. persimilis or T. urticae . The LC₅₀ for adult female T. urticae (LC₅₀ 63.89) was significantly lower than the larva (LC₅₀ 93.86); however, there was no significant difference in response between the protonymph (LC₅₀ 70.44) and the larva, which were both higher than T. urticae eggs (LC₅₀ 17.55). LC₅₀s for P. persimilis larva (LC₅₀ 43.87), protonymph (LC₅₀ 41.55) and adult female (LC₅₀ 53.34) were similar. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the egg surface of T. urticae is usually well covered with fine silk that may trap more oil and increase AMO efficacy. Other possible differences in AMO efficacy between T. urticae and P. persimilis may be due to differences in egg size, egg incubation period, egg surface structure and the presence of vulnerable respiratory cones in T. urticae eggs. Dose of 0.2–0.3% (w/w) is considered to be the most appropriate for n C24 AMOs use against T. urticae in combination with P. persimilis in integrated pest management programs.