Control of the straw itch mite (Acari: Pyemotidae) with sulfur in an insect rearing facility.
The ectoparasitic mite Pyemotes tritici (Lagrèze-Fossat & Montané) (Acari: Pyemotidae) caused paralysis and reduced longevity in eucalyptus longhorned borer, Phoracantha semipunctata F., under laboratory rearing conditions. Application of dusting sulfur to logs that contained pupating borers greatly reduced densities of mites on emerging adult beetles and increased beetle survivorship. Uniform application to all logs in a glasshouse effectively eradicated the mite infestation. A bioassay showed that sulfur may physically impede the dispersal of immature mites by adhering to the cuticle, but sulfur vapor did not act as a toxin.
Hanks
L M
LM
Department of Entomology, University of California, Riverside 92521.
McCelfresh
J S
JS
Millar
J G
JG
Paine
T D
TD
D000818:Animals; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000469:parasitology*; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008925:Mites; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D013455:Sulfur; D013983:Tick Control
D013455:Sulfur