Use of polypropylene bags for mass rearing Neoseiulus baraki (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a predatory mite of Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) |
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| Authors: | ADNT Kumara LCP Fernando NI Suwandhrathne NS Aratchige |
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| Institution: | 1. Crop Protection Division, Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lankaadnthissakumara@yahoo.com;3. Crop Protection Division, Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka |
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| Abstract: | An efficient, low cost and practicable mass rearing method for the predatory mite, Neoseiulus baraki Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was developed using a bag made of two-ply polypropylene (gauge 150, 24 cm × 36 cm) sheets. Introducing 20 N. baraki females into the bag produced a mean number 5218 ± 212.10 offspring in 6 weeks with a 260-fold increase of the initial population. |
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| Keywords: | coconut mite mass rearing Neoseiulus baraki predatory mite |
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