title: The presence of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its predators on plants in the ground cover in commercially treated vineyards.
abstract: The presence of Tetranychus urticae and its predators on plants in the ground cover in commercially treated vineyards in the Hex River Valley, Western Cape Province, South Africa was investigated. Six Barlinka and six Dauphine vineyards were surveyed. Leaf samples from the plants on the vineyard floor were taken at monthly intervals and microscopically examined for spider mites and their predators. The coverage of the plants was determined using a co-ordinate sampling system. A wide variety of plant species was found on the vineyard floor. Most of the spider mites found on these plants were T. urticae. The phytoseiid mites on the plants were Euseius rubicolus, Neoseiulus californicus and an undescribed Typhlodromus species. The presence of these plants made it possible for T. urticae and phytoseiid mites to occur throughout the year, with a similar pattern in their seasonal activity on the vineyard floor and the vine leaves.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa. dev@sun.ac.za
authors.forename: Marelize
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Villiers
authors.forename: Ken L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Pringle
mesh_terms: D056810:Acaricides; D000818:Animals; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology*; D010571:Pest Control / Q000379:methods; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D063245:Plant Development; D011156:Population Density; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012621:Seasons; D040102:Tetranychidae / Q000502:physiology*; D027843:Vitis
chemical_list: D056810:Acaricides