Neoseiulus Californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a Potential Control Agent of Tetranychus Urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae): Effect of Pest/Predator Ratio on Pest Abundance on Strawberry

Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is a promising agent for successful Tetranychus urticae Koch control through conservation techniques, in strawberry crops in La Plata (Buenos Aires, Argentina). In prey–predator interaction, initial relative densities have an important effect on system dynamics. The economic threshold level (ETL) used for this pest in the present study was 50 active mites per leaflet. In our laboratory experiments, initial T. urticae to N. californicus ratio had a significant effect on the population abundance of T. urticae at a 7-day period. When pest/predator ratio was 5/1 (at initial pest densities from 5 to 15 females/leaflet) the final number of active T. urticae/leaflet was significantly lower than the ETL, while at 20 females/leaflet this number did not differ from the ETL. At 7.5/1 ratio, the final number of active T. urticae/leaflet, at initial pest densities from 5 to 15 females/leaflet, reached the ETL without surpassing it. At 10/1 and 15/1 ratios, pest densities exceeded the ETL only at 15 initial T. urticae/leaflet. Most greenhouse and field observations were consistent with the predictions of a graphical model based on experimental results. This predator was very effective in limiting pest densities at a 7-day period and within the range of pest–predator ratios and absolute densities used in this study. Conservation of N. californicus promoting favorable pest/predator ratios may result in early control of T. urticae.     

Efficacy,prey stage preference and optimum predator–prey ratio of the predatory mite,Neoseiulus longispinosus Evans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to control the red spider mite,Oligonychus coffeae Nietner (Acari: Tetranychidae) infesting tea

The predatory mite, N. longispinosus preys up on red spider mite, O. coffeae infesting tea in south India. An attempt has been made to determine the predatory potential, prey stage preference and optimum predator–prey ratio of N. longispinosus under laboratory and green house conditions. When 50 adult female O. coffeae were given, the number of adults reduced by eight days along with an increase in the number of predators. The larvae hatched from the eggs laid by O. coffeae were fed by predatory mite. N. longispinosus preyed up on all life stages with a preference to larvae and nymphs of red spider mite. Predator–prey ratios of 1:33 and 1:50 were effective in lab, and 1:25 was found to be effective in green house. These results revealed that N. longispinosus could be used as a successful biocontrol candidate of O. coffeae in tea through augmentation or mass rearing and field release.     

Biological aspects and life table parameters of the predacious mite,Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) consuming food types during immature stages and after adult emergence

To investigate the effect of food types on biological aspects and life table parameters of the predacious mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), immature stages were fed on pollen of maize, Zea mays L. and eggs of Tetranychus urticae Koch, while adult females were offered the same foods and the alternate shift of each food. All individuals of predator females reached adulthood when reared on maize pollen and prey eggs, but their life cycle was significantly longer on pollen than on prey. The shortest preoviposition period of N. californicus occurred after continuous feeding on T. urticae eggs, whereas the longest happened when fed on prey eggs switched to maize pollen. Continuous consuming of maize pollen showed the longest ovipositoin period for the predator, while rearing on maize pollen shifted to prey eggs exhibited the shortest duration. The longest longevity and highest sex ratio of females to total in N. californicus were recorded when continuously utilised pollen, whereas the shortest longevity and lowest sex ratio were noted when continuously consumed prey. On the contrary, the egg production and life table values of the predator were the highest by continuous feeding on prey eggs, while they were the lowest by continuous rearing on maize pollen. Therefore, feeding juveniles on prey eggs and adult females on maize pollen is better for long-term preservation of N. californicus females than continuous feeding on maize pollen due to a shorter developmental duration, a higher egg production and more favourable life table values.     

Age‐ and temperature‐dependent oviposition model of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) with Tetranychus urticae as prey

In this study, we developed an oviposition model of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) with Tetranychus urticae Koch as prey. To obtain data for the model, we investigated the longevity, fecundity and survivorship of adult female N. californicus at six constant temperatures (16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36°C), 60–70% RH and a photoperiod of 16 : 8 (L : D) h. Longevity (average ± SE) decreased as temperature increased and was longest at 16°C (46.7 ± 5.25 days) and shortest at 36°C (12.8 ± 0.75 days). Adult developmental rate (1/average longevity) was described by the Lactin 1 model (r² = 0.95). The oviposition period (average±SE) was also longest at 16°C (29.8 ± 2.93 days) and shortest at 36°C (6.7 ± 0.54 days). Fecundity (average±SE) was greatest at 24°C (43.8 ± 3.23 eggs) and lowest at 36°C (15.9 ± 1.50 eggs). The oviposition model comprised temperature‐dependent fecundity, age‐specific cumulative oviposition rate and age‐specific survival rate functions. The temperature‐dependent fecundity was best described by an exponential equation (r² = 0.81). The age‐specific cumulative oviposition rate was best described by the three‐parameter Weibull function (r² = 0.96). The age‐specific survival rate was best described by a reverse sigmoid function (r² = 0.85).     

农用投入品对黑肩绿盲蝽影响的研究进展

黑肩绿盲蝽是水稻飞虱和叶蝉的最重要节肢动物天敌之一,主要以捕食卵和低龄若虫为主,同时也取食寄主植物汁液。本文概述了主要农用投入品包括水稻品种、氮肥、农药（杀虫剂、杀菌剂和除草剂）等对黑肩绿盲蝽的生物学和生态功能等的直接或间接作用影响,并对今后相关的研究方向和实际应用策略进行了分析和讨论。     

应用实验种群生命表评价加州新小绥螨对土耳其斯坦叶螨和截形叶螨的控制能力

【目的】为了解加州新小绥螨Neoseiulus Californicus(McGregor)对土耳其斯坦叶螨Tetranychus turkestani(Ugarov etNikolski)和截形叶螨Tetranychus truncate(Ehara)的控制能力。【方法】采用实验种群生命表方法进行评价。【结果】以土耳其斯坦叶螨为食时加州新小绥螨的净增值率(R_0=33.236)、内禀增长率(r_m=0.218),大于以截形叶螨为食时的值(R_0=32.458,r_m=0.207),而世代平均周期(T=16.340)和种群倍增时间(t=3.173)小于以截形叶螨为食时的值(T=16.849,t=3.355)。【结论】以土耳其斯坦叶螨为食有利于加州新小绥螨种群的发育和繁殖。     

Evaluation of phytoseiid predators for control of western flower thrips on greenhouse cucumber

Ten predatory mite species, all phytoseiids, were evaluated for control of western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), on greenhouse cucumber. This study was done to further improve biological control of thrips on this crop. Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) is at present used for biological control of thrips in greenhouses. Compared to this species, Typhlodromalus limonicus (Garman & McGregor), Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and Euseius ovalis (Evans) reached much higher population levels resulting in a significantly better control of thrips. T. limonicus was clearly the best predator of WFT. Also Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) increased to higher populations levels than N. cucumeris, but without controlling the thrips, probably because of an unequal distribution of this predator on the plant. Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese), Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), Euseius finlandicus (Oudemans) and Typhlodromus pyri (Scheuten) did not establish better than N. cucumeris. A non-diapausing exotic strain of N. cucumeris did not differ from the North European strain. The best performers in this study were all of sub-tropical origin. T. limonicus, T. swirskii and E. ovalis have good potentials for controlling not only thrips but also whiteflies. Factors affecting the efficacy of phytoseiids on greenhouse cucumbers are discussed.     

Control of the broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks)) on organic greenhouse sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum L.) with the predatory mite, Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans)

The predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) successfully controlled the broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acarina: Tarsonemidae) on two varieties of greenhouse-grown sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum L.). A survey of pre-plant seedlings showed that nurseries were a source of infestation for the broad mite. The predatory mites were released twice (on day 1 and 5, or 15 days later) on each plant, every second plant or every fourth plant. Broad mite populations were evaluated by sampling young leaves from the top of the plant. The effect of the broad mite on plant height, dry mass and yield was evaluated. Additionally, since N. cucumeris is known to control thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), blue sticky traps and flower sampling were used to evaluate changes in thrips populations. All three release rates of N. cucumeris significantly (P<0.05) controlled broad mite populations, but when the predatory mites were released only on every fourth plant, the overall height and yield of the plants were adversely affected by broad mites. Releasing N. cucumeris on each or every second plant was as efficacious in controlling broad mites as sulfur treatments in terms of plant height, dry mass and yield. Plants treated with sulfur, however, had significantly higher thrips populations and fruit damage.     

Life table parameters of an indigenous strain of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) when fed Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The life table of the indigenous Neoseiulus californicus was studied at different temperatures and 65 ± 5% relative humidity under conditions of 16 h light : 8 h dark (LD 16:8). The total developmental period from egg to adult varied from 3.0 to 14.0 days at 15 to 35°C. Survival to adulthood ranges from 86.21 to 93.94%, with the highest rate at 25°C. The lower threshold temperature from egg to adult stages of females and males was 10.84 and 10.72°C, respectively, and the thermal constant was 57.14 degree‐days (DD) for females and 56.18 DD for males. Total number of eggs laid by each female was the highest (70.38 eggs) at 25°C, whereas average daily fecundity was the highest (3.69 eggs/female/day) at 30°C. The net reproductive rate was the highest (48.49) at 25°C and lowest (26.18) at 30°C. Mean generation time decreased from 19.04 to 11.47 days with increasing temperature from 20 to 30°C. Both intrinsic rate of natural increase (0.284) and finite rate of increase (1.32) were maximum at 30°C. Adult longevity was the highest (42.75 days for females and 32.60 days for males) at 20°C and lowest (22.70 days for females and 15.30 days for males) at 30°C. Sex ratio was female biased and was the highest (78.08) at 25°C and lowest (70.24) at 30°C. Developmental data of five constant temperatures, temperature thresholds and thermal requirements may be used to predict the occurrence, number of generations and population dynamics of N. californicus as an important biocontrol agent of Tetranychus urticae.     

有益真绥螨与巴氏新小绥螨的集团内捕食和同类相残作用

【目的】有益真绥螨Euseius utilis是北方地区广泛分布的一种多食性植绥螨,而巴氏新小绥螨Neoseiulus barkeri目前在我国广泛应用于农业害虫的生物防治中。本研究旨在对巴氏新小绥螨在本地的应用进行风险评估及为与有益真绥螨的联合释放提供依据。【方法】本研究在室内通过一系列实验,比较了实验室饲养的巴氏新小绥螨和采自内蒙古农业大学校园的有益真绥螨的雌成螨对同种或异种未成熟螨的捕食量、存活时间及产卵量的差异,检测了有益真绥螨与巴氏新小绥螨两种植绥螨相互之间的攻击强度以及种内和种间的相互作用。【结果】两种植绥螨都难以刺吸同种或异种植绥螨的卵,而对同种或异种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量最大,其次是对若螨。在无共同食物的情况下,有益真绥螨雌成螨对同种植绥螨幼螨的攻击性比对异种植绥螨幼螨的攻击性强(BreslowDay检验:χ~2=13.84,df=1,P0.001),且有益真绥螨对同种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量(9.10±1.65头)高于对异种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量(5.31±1.43头)(T检验:t=5.487,P0.001),巴氏新小绥螨对异种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量(7.48±0.75头)高于对同种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量(4.75±0.58头)(T检验:t=9.110,P0.05)。【结论】有益真绥螨更倾向于捕食同种幼螨而发生同类相残;巴氏新小绥螨更倾向于捕食异种幼螨而发生集团内捕食。