Biological control of broad mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) with the generalist predator Amblyseius swirskii.
The broad mite is a serious pest of a variety of crops worldwide. Several phytoseiid mites have been described to control these mites. However, broad mites are still one of the major pest problems on greenhouse pepper in South-eastern Spain. The generalist predatory mite A. swirskii is widely used against other pests of pepper plants such as thrips and whiteflies, the latter being a vector of broad mites. We assessed the potential of A. swirskii to control broad mites. The oviposition rate of A. swirskii on a diet of broad mites was lower than on a diet of pollen, but higher than oviposition in the absence of food. Population-dynamical experiments with A. swirskii on single sweet pepper plants in a greenhouse compartment showed successful control of broad mites.
van Maanen
Roos
R
Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Vila
Enrico
E
Sabelis
Maurice W
MW
Janssen
Arne
A
D000818:Animals; D002212:Capsicum / Q000469:parasitology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology*; D010058:Oviposition / Q000502:physiology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D013030:Spain