Induction of a malathion-resistant strain in the common predacious mite Amblyseius cydnodactylon (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

This study demonstrates a laboratory induction of a malathion - resistant strain in Amblyseius cydnodactylon Shehata & Zaher and effect of selection on reproduction. Initially 500 sensitive females obtained from a laboratory mass culture were exposed to malathion at LC70. Subsequent selections were conducted every two generations at progressive LC70 values and number of eggs/female/day was recorded at each selection. Experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions of 24-28°C and 70-80 % R. H. The LC70 in the parent generation was 5.19 ppm and increased to 20 ppm in F4 selection generation. The dosage mortality relationships continued to increase up to a maximum of 282.3 ppm in F16. The rate of developing resistance increased from 1.75 folds in F2 to 1.97 folds in F4 and gradually reached a maximum of 54.39 folds in F16. There was an obvious decrease in reproduction corresponded to increasing resistance. For example, the number of eggs/female/day in F 16 was 8 eggs, contrasting 3 eggs in the parent generation.     

Distribution of the predatory mite Amblyseius andersoni Chant (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on different apple cultivars

The effect of apple cultivar on the distribution of Amblyseius andersoni was studied in an experimental orchard where tetranychids were virtually absent and eriophyids reached low to moderate populations. Seven apple scab-resistant cultivars, showing some differences in their leaf morphology, were compared. Each cultivar was grafted onto three different rootstocks inducing increasing vigor. The intraplant distribution of A. andersoni was also studied by monitoring predator densities on basal and apical leaves. In the first year, the colonization of different cultivars by A. andersoni showed definite patterns, sometimes associated with the abundance of the eriophyid Aculus schlechtendali. In the second experimental season, eriophyids reached negligible levels and the effect of cultivar on A. andersoni abundance was less clear. Florina and N.Y. 18491 cultivars were colonized in both years by relatively high phytoseiid numbers, while TSR 29T219 and Priscilla showed low populations in at least one season. The results observed on the remaining cultivars were intermediate or indefinite. The role of leaf pubescence on phytoseiid colonization is discussed.     

Distribution of the predatory mite Amblyseius andersoni Chant (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on different apple cultivars

The effect of apple cultivar on the distribution of Amblyseius andersoni was studied in an experimental orchard where tetranychids were virtually absent and eriophyids reached low to moderate populations. Seven apple scab-resistant cultivars, showing some differences in their leaf morphology, were compared. Each cultivar was grafted onto three different rootstocks inducing increasing vigor. The intraplant distribution of A. andersoni was also studied by monitoring predator densities on basal and apical leaves. In the first year, the colonization of different cultivars by A. andersoni showed definite patterns, sometimes associated with the abundance of the eriophyid Aculus schlechtendali. In the second experimental season, eriophyids reached negligible levels and the effect of cultivar on A. andersoni abundance was less clear. Florina and N.Y. 18491 cultivars were colonized in both years by relatively high phytoseiid numbers, while TSR 29T219 and Priscilla showed low populations in at least one season. The results observed on the remaining cultivars were intermediate or indefinite. The role of leaf pubescence on phytoseiid colonization is discussed.     

Side effects of botanical insecticides on predatory mite Amblyseius andersoni (Chant)

The effects of the botanical insecticides Biopiren plus, Piresan plus and Neemazal T/S on the predatory mite Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) were tested under laboratory, semi-field, and field conditions. The tests carried out in the laboratory allowed detection of the direct toxicity on eggs and females as well as the effects on fecundity, whereas semi-field trials assessed their residual toxicity. In laboratory and semi-field tests, pyrethrins, particularly Piresan plus, proved to have the highest toxicity with E value, concerning both female mortality and fecundity, of 100% and 45%, respectively. The same product tested in the field only caused a significant reduction in the phytoseiid population shortly after the treatment. The relevant escape rate registered in semi-field tests could explain the lack of phytoseiid eradication in the field after treatment with pyrethrins.     

Side effects of botanical insecticides on predatory mite Amblyseius andersoni (Chant)

The effects of the botanical insecticides Biopiren plus, Piresan plus and Neemazal T/S on the predatory mite Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) were tested under laboratory, semi-field, and field conditions. The tests carried out in the laboratory allowed detection of the direct toxicity on eggs and females as well as the effects on fecundity, whereas semi-field trials assessed their residual toxicity. In laboratory and semi-field tests, pyrethrins, particularly Piresan plus, proved to have the highest toxicity with E value, concerning both female mortality and fecundity, of 100% and 45%, respectively. The same product tested in the field only caused a significant reduction in the phytoseiid population shortly after the treatment. The relevant escape rate registered in semi-field tests could explain the lack of phytoseiid eradication in the field after treatment with pyrethrins.     

Comparative life history characteristics of the mite predator Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on mite and pollen diets

The food diversification strategy that can offer suitable nutrients as a diet for the natural enemies may possibly help to decrease pest populations by boosting the efficiency of predators. Therefore, my objective was to evaluate the effects of plant and animal diets on biological parameters of the phytoseiid mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans). This predator that is a natural enemy of mites was reared on plant pollens (maize (Zea mays L.), sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), mungbean (Vigna radiata L.), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), and rose (Rosa multiflora Thunb.), offered alone, and in combination with the prey mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). Results showed that N. cucumeris fed, developed and reproduced better when it was provided with plant and animal diets together, compared to pollens offered alone. The predator showed the most efficient capability for completion of life parameters (development, survival, fecundity, oviposition, longevity and instantaneous rate of increase) with maize and mungbean ingested pollens in combination with T. putrescentiae. The least competency was observed on cucumber and rose pollens used separately. The lowest developmental time of the predator from neonate larva to adult emergence, the highest immature survivorship, higher fecundity, long oviposition period, and the highest adult female's life span were observed when offered maize pollens along with T. putrescentiae compared to other treatments. Accordingly, the instantaneous rate of population increase (r_i) day^?1 was surpassed by N. cucumeris for the combination of pollen and T. putrescentiae diets than pollens utilized alone. It is determined that N. cucumeris can reproduce and develop more successfully on a food complex consisting of pollen and animal diets than any single diet. These findings reveal that pollen can be used by N. cucumeris as a suitable alternative food in periods when prey in the field is sparse or absent. Moreover, such propensity of predators to feed on food from plant origin increases their survival during periods when prey is locally scarce, but natural enemies might occur at the expense of an ability to utilize food as efficiently as specialized predators to boost the management strategies of pest species in field's ecosystem.     

Effects of pesticides on mite predators (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and colonization of apple trees byTetranychus urticae

A 2-year survey of mite populations and pesticide use was carried out in Nova Scotia, Canada, in apple orchards where the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) was the dominant phytophagous mite. Fungicides were the only class of pesticides that affected cumulative number ofT. urticae-days per leaf in tree canopies and colonization success — the ratio ofT. urticae-days to number of immigratingT. urticae caught in sticky bands on tree trunks. In 2000, increased numbers ofT. urticae-days in the tree canopy were associated with more frequent applications of ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate (EBDC) fungicides and with higher fungicide toxicity scores, which indicate cumulative level of suppression of the phytoseiid predatorTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten by all fungicide applications. Higher rates of colonization success were also associated with higher toxicity scores. EBDC’s applied in 2000 promotedT. urticae immigration as indicated by their counts on sticky bands. In 2000 and 2001, number ofT. pyri-days in the tree canopies was decreased by more frequent EBDC applications and by higher fungicide toxicity scores. Promotion ofT. urticae in tree canopies by EBDC’s was attributed to their toxicity toT. pyri. BothT. pyri and another phytoseiid,Amblyseius fallacis (Garman), were found in ground cover vegetation. Hence, increased immigration from the ground cover attributed to the toxicity of EBDC’s toT. pyri and, especially, toA. fallacis, which is a specialist predator of spider mites and an effective natural enemy ofT. urticae. http//www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 13, 2006. Formerly, Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, now retired.     

Life history of Proprioseiopsis badri feeding on four eriophyid mite species (Acari: Phytoseiidae and Eriophyidae)

The influence of four eriophyid mite species as prey, Aceria dioscoridis, Aceria olivi, Aculops lycopersici and Cisaberoptus kenyae, on the biology and demographic parameters of the predatory mite Proprioseiopsis badri, was studied under laboratory conditions. Feeding on A. dioscoridis and A. olivi enhanced the development of P. badri, resulted in the longest mean generation time and were the most suitable foods for the oviposition of the predator, as exhibited by the highest fecundity, net reproductive rate and gross reproductive rate. Preying on A. lycopersici gave the lowest fecundity, net and gross reproductive rates and finite rate of increase; therefore, this prey was the least suitable for the oviposition of P. badri. Preying on A. dioscoridis and A. olivi produced higher intrinsic rates of increase, reproduction rates and finite rates of increase for the predator in comparison with A. lycopersici and C. kenyae, which had the lowest value. These differences in response to various eriophyid pests should be considered for the production of healthy cultures of P. badri.     

加州新小绥螨对柑橘全爪螨的控制潜力

为了确定加州新小绥螨Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor)的国内品系在生物防治中的潜力,采用捕食者功能反应方法,研究了加州新小绥螨、江原钝绥螨Amblyseius eharai Amitai et Swirski、尼氏真绥螨Euseius nicholsi (Ehara et Lee)和拟长毛钝绥螨A.pseudolongispinosus Xin,Liang et Ke对柑橘全爪螨Panonychus citri AaGregor的捕食作用,加州新小绥螨对柑橘全爪螨的功能反应可以很好地拟合HollingⅡ圆盘方程,对柑橘全爪螨卵的捕食能力显著高于其它3种捕食螨,4种捕食螨对柑橘全爪螨卵的功能反应参数a/Th分别为20.8342、6.9458、0和6.1634;加州新小绥螨对柑橘全爪螨卵、幼螨、前若螨、后若螨和成螨功能反应分别为20.8342、42.0721、29.1849、22.1204和5.6284.加州新小绥螨密度越大,柑橘全爪螨种群数量下降越快,在益、害比为5∶30下,柑橘全爪螨种群数量在第4天就能得到控制.结果表明,加州新小绥螨国内品系对柑橘全爪螨表现出很大的控制潜力.     

Some predacious mites of Greece,with a description of one new species (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae)

Typhlodromus hellenicus sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The following 11 additional species were recorded:T. pyri Scheuten, sensu Abbasova,T. exhilaratus Ragusa,T. recki Wainstein,T. kerkirae Swirski and Ragusa,Amblyseius cinctutus Livshitz and Kuznetsov,A. stipulates Athias-Henriot, A. aff.finlandicus (Oudemans), A. aff.aberrans (Oudemans),A. potentillae (Garman),Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, andPhytoseius (Phytoseius) finitimus Ribaga.     

Passive dispersal of the grape rust mite Calepitrimerus vitis Nalepa 1905 (Acari, Eriophyoidea) in vineyards

Modes of passive dispersal of the grape rust mite Calepitrimerus vitis (Eriophyoidea) were investigated in a vineyard of South-Western Germany. More than 200 Eriophyoidea per month were trapped in a wind chamber during summer (32,1% C.vitis) suggesting long-distance dispersal by air currents. Rain washed part of the adult C.vitis population from the foliage. SE micrographs suggest that quiescent nymphs are affixed to the leaf by a substance of unknown nature. However, the role of rain in C.vitis colonisation of uninfested vineyards is still unclear, as is the role of phoretic transport by arthropods. For the first time, evidence of rust mite dispersal by human activity is presented. A large number of C.vitis was found adhering to clothes and hands of workers carrying out customary cultural practices in the vineyard. Other arthropods, including Typhlodromus pyri, the main predator of C.vitis, were also passively transported by wind, rain and human activity.     

Influence of pollen feeding on body weight and body size of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari,Phytoseiidae)

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The nutritional quality of pollen was assessed measuring biomass and body size of freshly emerged, 1, 3, and 30 day old adult Amblyseius swirskii...     

薰衣草油与肉桂油对朱砂叶螨的生物活性和行为分析

为明确在室内条件下薰衣草油、肉桂油对朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus(Boisduval)的生物活性,采用喷雾、熏蒸法测定了薰衣草油和肉桂油对朱砂叶螨的触杀活性、产卵抑制活性和熏蒸活性,并分析了2种精油的亚致死剂量对雌成螨运动行为的影响。结果表明:与肉桂油相比,薰衣草油对朱砂叶螨的触杀活性较强,经浓度为1%的薰衣草油喷雾处理后,雌成螨、若螨24 h后的死亡率分别为64.07%和52.22%,LC_(50)分别为0.41%和0.89%;浓度为2%的薰衣草油对雌成螨产卵的抑制作用最强;与肉桂油相比,薰衣草油的熏蒸活性也较强,熏蒸雌成螨6、12和24 h后的死亡率分别为70.37%、85.19%和95.19%,LD_(50)分别为0.94、0.59和0.39μL;随精油剂量增加雌成螨运动轨迹紊乱,触壁反射活动减少,移动范围明显减小,而移动频率先升高后降低。研究表明,与肉桂油相比,在朱砂叶螨的生物防治中薰衣草油具有更高的应用价值。     

加州新小绥螨对猎物的选择行为及其扩散行为

本文研究了柑橘全爪螨Panonychus citri （McGregor）不同螨态及其丝网对加州新小绥螨Neoseiuluscalifornicus的吸引作用和影响加州新小绥螨扩散行为的因素。结果表明,柑橘全爪螨完整丝网对加州新小绥螨吸引最强,在试验的5 h中,对加州新小绥螨吸引作用在第1 h效果显著,第2~5 h效果极显著,其中第3 h时的吸引作用最强达78.33%;柑橘全爪螨雌成螨、若螨和幼螨对加州新小绥螨均具有不同强度的吸引能力,吸引作用最强时分别达76.67%、71.67%和68.33%;猎物密度影响不同取食经历下加州新小绥螨的扩散行为,其扩散时间与生境中的柑橘全爪螨卵初始密度呈正相关,处于饥饿状态和自身密度较高时会加速加州新小绥螨的扩散行为,加州新小绥螨雌后若螨扩散时间低于加州新小绥螨雌成螨。     

The effect of indoxacarb and five other insecticides on Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae), Amblyseius fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and nymphs of Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae)

A laboratory study assessed the contact toxicity of indoxacarb, abamectin, endosulfan, insecticidal soap, S-kinoprene and dimethoate to Amblyseius fallacis (Garman), Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and nymphs of Orius insidiosus (Say). Amblyseius fallacis is a predacious phytoseiid mite and an integral part of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes in North American apple orchards. The other two beneficials are widely used in greenhouses to manage various arthropod pests infesting vegetable and ornamental crops. Indoxacarb is a slow-acting insecticide, so toxicity data were recorded 7 days post-treatment when the data had stabilised. It showed no toxicity to O. insidiosus nymphs or to A. fallacis or P. persimilis adults. The LC50 values for O. insidiosus nymphs and P. persimilis could not be estimated with their associated confidence limits, because the g values were greater than 0.5 and under such circumstances the lethal concentration would lie outside the limits. The LC50 for A. fallacis was 7.6x the label rate. The fecundity of P. persimilis was reduced by 26.7%. The eclosion of treated eggs from both species of beneficial mites was not affected adversely. Among the other pest control products, S-kinoprene and endosulfan affected adversely at least one species of the predators, whereas dimethoate, abamectin and insecticidal soap were very toxic to all three beneficials. Indoxacarb should be evaluated as a pest control product in IPM programmes.     

Prey stage preference,mutual interference and switching of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Eotetranychus frosti (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Cenopalpus irani (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

Abstract

Prey stage preference, mutual interference, and switching of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot on Eotetranychus frosti (McGregor) (Tetranychidae) and Cenopalpus irani Dosse (Tenuipalpidae) were evaluated under laboratory conditions on apple leaves. The results of no-choice experiments on the two prey revealed that the predator A. swirskii consumed significantly more eggs than other prey stages. The predator consumed about 46% and 57% of the initial density of eggs of E. frosti and C. irani, respectively. In choice experiments the mean consumption rate of A. swirskii females significantly differed among each of the pests’ life stages. The negative value of the interference coefficient in the mutual interference analysis showed an inverse relationship between the predator density and per capita searching efficiency. The prey preference by predator was not dependent on the relative abundance of prey, as it did not switch from of E. frosti when it became rare to another prey which was more abundant except for the ratio 20E. frosti:60C. irani. The results of this study revealed that A. swirskii could be utilized as an effective predator in the integrated management of E. frosti and C. irani; particularly, its heavy preference for E. frosti could play a considerable role in control of it.     

Effects of six selected orchard insecticides on Neoseiulus fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in the laboratory

BACKGROUND: Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman) is a key predator of tetranychid mites in integrated pest management (IPM) programs across Canada. This study identified compounds that would be recommended for tier‐II field evaluations in an IPM program. RESULTS: The overall egg mortality caused by the six insecticides was negligible as it extended from 0 to 12.1%. Imidacloprid was classified as toxic to adults. The label rate was 7.73‐fold the LC₅₀. Thiamethoxam was classified as moderately toxic to adults, and its label rate was 2.87‐fold the LC₅₀. Acetamiprid and spinosad were classified as marginally toxic, and their label rates were respectively 0.99‐ and 0.45‐fold the LC₅₀ for adults. Thiacloprid and methoxyfenozide were virtually innocuous to adults. CONCLUSION: Methoxyfenozide was totally harmless to all stages of N. fallacis, and it would be included in IPM programs immediately. Acetamiprid, spinosad and thiacloprid had varying degrees of mild toxicity to at least one growth stage of the predator. Therefore, they were recommended for tier‐II field testing according to their label claims. Imidacloprid and thiamethoxam were toxic to moderately toxic to adults and had significant adverse effects on fecundity. Therefore, they would be field evaluated only if alternatives were unavailable. Copyright 2010 Crown in the right of Canada. Published by JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd     

Effects of azadirachtin on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its compatibility with predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on strawberry

BACKGROUND: The spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, is the major strawberry pest in Brazil. The main strategies for its control comprise synthetic acaricides and predatory mites. The recent register of a commercial formula of azadirachtin (Azamax^® 12 g L^?1) can be viable for control of T. urticae. In this work, the effects of azadirachtin on T. urticae and its compatibility with predatory mites Neoseiulus californicus and Phytoseiulus macropilis in the strawberry crop were evaluated. RESULTS: Azadirachtin was efficient against T. urticae, with a mortality rate similar to that of abamectin. In addition, the azadirachtin showed lower biological persistence (7 days) than abamectin (21 days). Azadirachtin did not cause significant mortality of adult predatory mites (N. californicus and P. macropilis), but it did reduce fecundity by 50%. However, egg viability of the azadirachtin treatments was similar to that of the control (>80% viability). The use of azadirachtin and predatory mites is a valuable tool for controlling T. urticae in strawberry crop. CONCLUSIONS: Azadirachtin provided effective control of T. urticae and is compatible with the predatory mites N. californicus and P. macropilis. It is an excellent tool to be incorporated into integrated pest management for strawberry crop in Brazil. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry