Effects of dispersal, predators (Acari: Phytoseiidae), weather, and ground cover treatments on populations of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in apple orchards

In a 2-yr study of causes of mite outbreaks in apple (Malus spp.) orchards in Nova Scotia, we monitored immigration of Tetranychus urticae Koch from orchard ground cover into trees populated by the generalist phytoseiid predator Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten. In both years, T. urticae-days in the tree canopy increased with number of T. urticae caught in sticky bands on tree trunks. In 2000, T. urticae-days were negatively correlated with T. pyri-days. Lack of correlation in 2001 was attributed to higher rates of immigration, which would mask the effects of predation. Weather also affected mite dynamics. Rainfall in July and August was less in 2001 than in 2000. Heat units were sufficient for six generations of T. urticae in 2001 but only for five in 2000. Consequently, T. urticae-days in the tree canopy and immigration rates were significantly greater in 2001 than in 2000, despite three-fold greater use of miticides. We also tested the effects of herbicides on T. urticae immigration. Application of selective herbicides in laneways reduced coverage of reproductive hosts of T. urticae, but these changes did not reduce immigration. In 2001, application of a miticidal herbicide, glufosinate, in tree rows reduced captures of T. urticae on sticky bands in high immigration orchards but not in low immigration orchards. We conclude that generalist predators and modified herbicide use are insufficient remedies and that effective biological control of T. urticae in the ground cover by a specialist phytoseiid such as Amblyseius fallacis Garman is essential to prevent outbreaks.     

Effect of the width of the herbicide strip on mite dynamics in apple orchards

Herbicide strips are used in apple orchards to promote tree growth and survival, to increase yield and to reduce the risk of rodent damage to tree bark. However, herbicide strips, particularly wider ones, may cause problems including soil erosion, reduced organic matter, leaching of nitrates into ground water and increased incidence of plant diseases and pests, including two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch. In this 2 year study we monitored mite dynamics in apple trees and used sticky bands on tree trunks to determine rates of T. urticae immigration into Nova Spy apple trees in plots with wide (2 m) or narrow (0.5 m) herbicide strips. Use of wider herbicide strips promoted two risk factors that could trigger outbreaks of tetranychid mites. First, concentrations of leaf N in apple trees were higher and those of P and K were lower with the wide strips. Such changes in nutritional quality of leaves would increase the potential for more rapid population growth of T. urticae, and to a lesser extent, the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch). Second, there were higher rates of T. urticae immigration from the ground cover vegetation into the trees. In 2006, and for most of 2007, densities of T. urticae were higher with wide herbicide strips, whereas densities of P. ulmi were not enhanced. However, by late August to early September in 2007, densities of both tetranychids were lower with wide herbicide strips. This is because both risk factors were counterbalanced, and eventually negated, by the enhanced action of phytoseiid predators, mostly Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten. From July through September 2006, ratios of phytoseiids to tetranychids were always several-fold lower with wide herbicide strips but in 2007, from mid-July onwards, predator–prey ratios were usually several-fold higher with wide strips. However, this numerical response of phytoseiids to prey density can only occur where the pesticide program in orchards is not too harsh on phytoseiids. Hence the impact of width of herbicide strip is contingent on the composition and size of the phytoseiid complex and the impact of pesticides on predation.     

蜂桶寨自然保护区小熊猫觅食特征和营养对策

2002 年4 ～11 月,在蜂桶寨自然保护区对小熊猫的觅食特征和营养对策进行了研究,并采用Vanderloeg 和Scavia 选择指数Ei衡量小熊猫对竹笋和竹茎年龄的选择程度。结果表明,小熊猫食物由竹叶(70.5% )、竹笋(22.1% )、野果(7.2% )以及毛(0.2% )等组成。小熊猫几乎全以冷箭竹为食,未发现采食短锥玉山竹。春季食物主要由竹叶和竹笋组成,夏秋季主要由竹叶和果实组成,而冬季以竹叶为主。小熊猫对竹笋、竹叶的觅食具有很强的选择性。基径在3 mm 以上被采食竹笋,E_i的值为0.071 9 ～0. 094 4,竹高在10 ～70 cm 未被采食竹笋, E_i 的值为0.149 6 ～0.1989。对不同年龄竹茎和竹叶的选择在各个月份间存在变化,4 ～6 月一年生、二年生和多年生竹竹叶E_i分别为0. 036 2 、0.224 8 和0.487 6, 7 ～8 月三者E_i分别为0.0071、0.0027 和0. 0098,9～11 月特别喜食当年生老笋上的竹叶(E_i =0.552 1)。此外,小熊猫在6 ～ 8 月还特别喜食已展开(53.4% )和未展开的卷曲嫩叶(36.3% ),不喜食较老的竹叶(10.3% )。小熊猫的食性及其对食物的选择体现了在长期进化过程中觅食对策的优化,可最大化觅食过程中的物质或能量摄入。     

毛竹的无性系生长与立竹密度和叶龄结构的关系

毛竹为单轴型散生竹,属典型的无性系植物,原产我国亚热带地区。由于其个体高大、生长迅速、产量高、材质好、分布广,长期以来,一直是我国最为重要的经济竹种。本文应用无性系生长生理整合的理论,从种群统计学的角度,探讨了毛竹林立竹密度与叶龄结构对其无性系生长潜力的影响。结果表明：由于毛竹叶的生活期为两年,１龄新叶的光合能力比２龄老叶高,每样地的出笋数、活笋数与带１龄新叶的立竹数呈正相关,而与带２龄老叶的立竹数相关性不显著。另外,竹笋的死亡率是非密度制约的。本研究结果合理地解释了常见的毛竹林产量大小年交替变化的现象。     

Ecological and genetic factors influencing evolution of pesticide resistance in tetranychid and phytoseiid mites

Among tetranychid spider mites and their phytoseiid predators, the evolution of pesticide resistance is a common event. In most cases, resistance is based on a single dominant or semidominant gene. However, polygenic, less-stable resistance often develops under laboratory selection. More rapid development of pesticide resistance in spider mites and predatory mites than among other arthropods might partly be due to their arrhenotokous reproduction. For both groups of mites, little study has been done on population genetic factors influencing pesticide resistance. A few studies have focussed on ecological factors. An important ecological factor influencing resistance evolution is the level of immigration of susceptible individuals into treated habitats. Spider mites and predatory mites both tend to reside in treated habitats at high levels and to immigrate at only modest levels from untreated habitats. This favors rapid resistance development. Another factor contributing to rapid resistance evolution in both mite groups is their rapid reproductive rate. A food-limitation factor may limit resistance evolution under field conditions more in predatory mites than spider mites. After treatment by a pesticide, spider mites have an unlimited food source, whereas predatory mites have a decimated food source (their prey), which leads to reduced reproduction, starvation, or migration. Because of the common occurrence of resistance among both mite groups, a strategy of resistance management is often feasible for them. Case histories of IPM where the population dynamics and genetics of pesticide resistance of tetranychid and phytoseiid mites have been considered are discussed. The overall conclusion is that greater understanding of the population genetics and ecology of these species will provide for improved systems of resistance management and IPM.     

竹缺爪螨生态学初步研究

本报道严重危害毛竹生长和害螨－－竹缺爪螨在不同温度下生长,发育历期以及在竹林间种群动态。结果表明：在20－35℃范围内随着温度升高其发育历期缩短,温度与发育历期呈直线回归关系：Y全代＝651573-1.6250X（=-0.98);光照是影响竹缺爪螨的卵,幼螨存活及成螨产卵量的重要因素。在竹林间,毛竹换叶,降雨量,天敌数量是影响竹缺爪螨种群消长的和重要因素,最后提出综合防治的措施。     

慈竹的数量生态研究

 慈竹生态研究的结果如下：(1)用逐步回归分析模型分析,慈竹竹丛密度仅与土壤厚度关系密切．慈竹高度、胸径与海拔成正相关。(2)用逐步回归法分析笋生长量与气候因子间的关系,证明笋的逐日生长量与湿度,温度和降雨量有较密切关系,笋在一天内有两个生长高峰。(3)自然条件下,出笋数主要与土厚密切相关,退笋数受母竹高和出笋数所制约,好笋数主要受土厚和竹高影响。     

Biological control of spider mites on grape by phytoseiid mites (Acari: Tetranychidae,Phytoseiidae): emphasis on regional aspects

Leaf samples were taken from 34 (1998) and 10 (1999) vineyards in five valleys in western Oregon to assess spider mite pests and biological control by predaceous phytoseiid mites. A leaf at a coordinate of every 10 m of border, 5 m into a vineyard, was taken to minimize edge effects; 20 leaves were taken at regular intervals from vineyard centers. Variables recorded at each site included grape variety and plant age, chemicals used, and vegetation next to vineyards. Sites were rated as occurring in agricultural versus riparian settings based on surrounding vegetation types. Multiple linear regressions and a computer genetic algorithm with an information content criterion were used to assess variables that may explain mite abundances. Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten was the dominant phytoseiid mite species and Tetranychus urticae Koch the dominant tetranychid mite species. High levels of T. urticae occurred when phytoseiid levels were low, and low levels of T. urticae were present when phytoseiid levels were high to moderate. T. urticae densities were higher in vineyards surrounded by agriculture, but phytoseiid levels did not differ between agricultural and riparian sites. Phytoseiids had higher densities on vineyard edges; T. urticae densities were higher in centers. Biological control success of pest mites was rated excellent in 11 of 44 vineyards, good in 27, and poor in only six sites. Predaceous mites appeared to be the principal agents regulating spider mites at low levels in sites where pesticides nontoxic to predators were used. Effects of surrounding vegetation, grape variety, growing region, and other factors on mites are discussed.     

Interactions Between Shoot Age Structure, Nutrient Availability and Physiological Integration in the Giant Bamboo Phyllostachys pubescens

Abstract: The age structure of adult shoots, the nutrient availability of the habitat, and their interaction, are important factors influencing the productivity of bamboo groves. In a field fertilization experiment over two years we examined the impact of physiological integration on the emergence, growth, and survival of new shoots of Phyllostachys pubescens, a giant woody bamboo. Impacts of physiological integration were compared using uniform and patchy fertilization treatments. The number of new shoots emerging per plot significantly increased with the application of fertilizer (NPK), but the increase was constrained by the age structure of adult shoots. In a year with a high proportion of shoots with new (first-year) leaves many more new shoots emerged than in a year with a low proportion of new leaves. Mean survivorship of the new shoots was constant at 20 % for all treatments in both years of study. Surprisingly, fertilization did not increase DBH or height of the new shoots, suggesting that shoot size was fixed early in ontogeny. The pattern of fertilizer application, either uniform or patchy, did not affect the total number of new shoots produced. In the case of patchy application, more new shoots developed in unfertilized patches in comparison to uniformly unfertilized plots, probably because these parts of the clone received resources via the rhizomes from the adult shoots in adjacent fertilized patches. The production of new shoots in fertilized patches, in turn, was lower than that in uniformly fertilized plots as a result of this physiological integration. The results are discussed in the general context of the impact of integration on clonal plant performance in dense stands.     

Phytophagous and predatory mites (Acari: Tetranychidae,Eriophyidae, Phytoseiidae,Stigmaeidae) in South Moravian vineyards,Czechoslovakia, treated with various types of chemicals

Communities of phytophagous and predatory mites on vine can be influenced by the type of chemical treatment. Ten species of phytoseiid mites inhabit vines in the region of South Moravia. Populations ofTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten play leading roles in effective suppression of tetranychid and eriophyid mites in commercial vineyards sprayed with pesticides, except synthetic pyrethroids and mancozed, which are considered to be detrimental to the predatory phytoseiid mites.     

中国亚热高大竹类植物毛竹竹笋克隆生长的密度调节（英文）

 对许多多年生克隆植物来说,大量的研究表明：当光是限制因子时,随着立地密度的不断增加,克隆分株的出生率逐渐减小、死亡率逐渐增加。本文观测了乔木状高大竹类植物毛竹竹笋的出生与存活过程,结果表明：竹笋的出生率,即每样方的出笋数,明显地随着成竹立竹度的增加而增加。更确切地说,竹笋的数量,不管是出笋数还是活笋数,都明显地随着带新叶(1龄叶)的成竹立竹度的增加而增加,而与带老叶(2龄叶)的成竹立竹度相关性不显著。并且竹笋的死亡率是非密度制约的。这可能是由于对毛竹来说,其立地总是比较开敞,而且,其竹笋的生长在很大程度上是不直接需光的。     

绿竹笋及幼竹的生长动态

本研究通过绿竹生态最适宜区福建福安的绿竹造林试验,分析绿竹笋及幼竹生长动态,得出不同时期的绿竹发笋比率及单个笋重情况,并对绿竹幼竹萌发至长成的过程进行分析,比较河滩冲积地新造绿竹林各年度新竹生长的变化规律,为绿竹林资产评估提供依据。     

Aerial dispersal of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae): estimating falling speed and dispersal distance of adult females

Aerial dispersal is important to immigration and redistribution of phytoseiid mites that often can provide biological control of spider mite pests. Falling speed of a mite and wind largely determine dispersal distance of such a passively blown organism. A diffusion model of wind-blown phytoseiids could provide insight into their dispersal. To this end, we measured body weights and falling speeds of adult females of 13 phytoseiid and one tetranychid mite species. These data were then incorporated into seed dispersal models (Greene and Johnson, Okubo and Levin) and results were compared to mite dispersal distances in wind tunnel, greenhouse and field. Weights of phytoseiid species ranged from 5.25 to 2l.7 μg; starved mites weighed less than fed mites. Geometric diameters ( d _g ) of idiosomas were correlated to weights. Falling speeds for phytoseiids were 0.39–0.73 m/s, and less than for T. urticae (0.79 m/s) in still air. In some species, active mites had slower falling speeds than inactive (anesthetized) mites indicating that behavior may influence falling. Starved mites had significantly slower falling speeds than fed mites and dispersed farther. Equation-based estimates of falling speed were close to measured ones (2–8% deviation) for some species. There were significant relationships between falling speed and body weight and morphological traits. Greene and Johnson's seed dispersal model provided better fits to dispersal of mites in the wind tunnel, greenhouse and field studies than Okubo and Levin's model. Limits of models in describing mite dispersal distance and applications to IPM are discussed.     

Phytoseiid dispersal at plant to regional levels: a review with emphasis on management of Neoseiulus fallacis in diverse agroecosystems

Dispersal behaviors of phytoseiid and tetranychid mites are key factors in understanding predator-prey dynamics and biological control of pest mites at different spatial levels in agricultural and natural ecosystems. In this review, ambulatory and aerial dispersal of both mite groups are discussed at spatial levels of leaf, plant, crop and region. Emphasis is on dispersal of phytoseiids, and specifically, the specialist-predator, Neoseiulusfallacis (Garman), and two-spotted spider mite prey, Tetranychus urticae (Koch). Dispersal aspects that are discussed are ambulation on a leaf; plant or in a prey patch; aerial dispersal between plants; behavior and aerodynamics of aerial take-off; modeling vs. monitoring of dispersal distance; fates of dispersing mites that land on soil substrates; plants as take-off platforms and landing targets for dispersers; and regional dispersal patterns and integrated mite management.     

Phytoseiid life-histories,local predator-prey dynamics,and strategies for control of tetranychid mites

Numerous studies have been devoted to estimating the intrinsic rates of increase, r_m, of phytoseiid and tetranychid mites. Intrinsic rates of increase may be helpful for biological control purposes, but how exactly is still unclear. In this paper, we show how r_ms can be used to this end, by using a simple model for the local dynamics of predator and prey populations. The application of this model critically depends on what is meant by the term local. Here, we define it as a spatial scale at which predator and prey dynamics are strongly coupled.Furthermore, it is shown that the r_m of phytoseiid and tetranychid mites are correlated with mean and peak oviposition rates. Since peak oviposition rates are easy to determine, the regression equation provides a quick and simple way toestimate r_m. Subsequently, it is possible to calculate appropriate predator/prey ratios for biological control by using the model and the estimated r_m.     

竹子箨叶形态性状的种间差异及其与竹笋食味品质指标的关系

竹笋是大众喜爱的森林蔬菜,其食味品质存在种间差异,且出土前后品质存在明显的变异.箨叶是竹笋的重要器官,居于箨鞘顶端,是竹笋出土时最先感光部位,是否与竹笋食味品质变异密切相关?目前尚不清楚.为此,以同一地点、立地条件和人工干扰措施一致的6个属22个竹种为对象,分析了不同竹种箨叶形态性状和竹笋食味品质指标,为揭示竹笋食味品...     

Intra- and interspecific predation by adult female Metaseiulus occidentalis and Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) when provisioned with varying densities and ratios of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and phytoseiid larvae

The phytoseiid mites Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) and Typhlodromus pyri Schueten are used together and alone as biological control agents against tetranychid pest mites of apple. Their effectiveness as control agents may be impacted by intraguild predation. The effects of prey species and prey density on the rates of inter- and intraspecific predation and oviposition by these two predators were investigated through a series of experiments. Adult female predators were given prey as mixed populations of phytoseiid larvae and larvae of a more preferred species, the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, at different densities and ratios. Typhlodromus pyri, more of a generalist predator, showed higher rates of predation and cannibalism on phytoseiid immatures at most prey densities and ratios. Manly preference indices indicated that T. pyri switched to feed on phytoseiid larvae at higher prey levels and ratios of T. urticae than M. occidentalis. This greater ability to use phytoseiid larvae as prey may help stabilize T. pyri populations when more preferred prey is unavailable. This may, in part, explain the observed persistence of T. pyri populations when M. occidentalis populations were decreasing in orchard test plots.     

不同年龄麻竹阴阳叶生态生理特性

麻竹是中国重要的大型经济竹种,其栽培已从过去河滩、四旁零散种植发展到规模化培育,通过山地麻竹发笋期内不同年龄植株阴阳叶养分和代谢动态的比较研究,结果表明麻竹阳叶氮素、磷素浓度比阴叶高,但钾素浓度阳叶低于阴叶;从发笋初期至末期阴阳叶氮、磷、钾素浓度都呈逐渐减少的变化趋势,阴阳叶氮、磷、钾素浓度差异逐渐减小;阳叶在净光合速率、暗呼吸速率、CO2补偿点、光补偿点、光饱和点等方面较阴叶高,光呼吸较低,但不同年龄麻竹之间各指标变化有所不同.     

施肥对毛竹（Phyllostachys pubescens）竹笋生长的影响

 毛竹(Phyllostachys pubescens)为具有重要经济价值的高大乔木状竹种。本文通过完全随机化区组施肥试验,探讨了施肥量及施肥方式对毛竹竹笋生长的效应。结果表明：在毛竹林内施肥可使出笋数和活笋数提高3倍以上,但对竹笋(幼竹)的个体大小却几乎没有改良效果。竹笋的存活率基本上是恒定的,不随施肥量的改变而改变。当地下茎(竹鞭)穿越养分分布不均的环境时,竹笋能有选择地大量长于养分丰富的地段而避开养分贫乏的地段。另一方面,跨越于有利地段和不利地段的竹(笋)株间有明显的生理整合作用,而且这种生理整合在显著增加了长在不利地段的竹笋数(高收益)的同时,基本上没有减少长在有利地段的竹笋数(低耗费)。9m×9m的样方已足以观测到显著的施肥效果,这比传统的毛竹研究中使用的1亩的样方面积效率要高。在竹林培育方面,不均匀施肥如带状或点状施肥要比均匀施肥效率高。     

Carbon Accumulation and Carbon Forms in Tissues During the Growth of Young Bamboo (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllostachy pubescens</Emphasis>)

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) is an important non-timber forest product (NTFP) in the forest ecological system of subtropical China. In this study of young bamboo, dynamic changes in height, biomass, and carbon accumulation were determined and tissue samples were analyzed by ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology. Results showed that the time from the bamboo shoots sprouting to the formation of young bamboo was 35–40 d. Accumulation of biomass and carbon in young bamboos depended mainly on ground diameter and the length of time after the bamboo shoots sprouted. NMR spectroscopy of tissue samples showed that O-alkyl carbon was found to dominate the tissue carbon, and it accounted for approximately 70%. The relative ratios of different carbon forms did not significantly change with the growth of young bamboo, suggesting that different carbon forms were stable with the carbon accumulation in the growth period of young bamboo.