Biological control of the twospotted spider mite (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) with the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (Mesotigmata: Phytoseiidae) in blackberries
Abstract
The twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is a key mite pest affecting blackberry production worldwide. Tetranychus urticae feeds on the underside of leaves, extracts chlorophyll, and reduces crop yield. Amblyseius (Neoseiulus) californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) has been identified as a potential predator of T. urticae. We conducted a greenhouse and a field experiment to evaluate the potential of N. californicus as a biological control agent for T. urticae on ‘Arapaho,’ ‘Navaho,’ and ‘Quachita’ blackberry varieties. Research on N. californicus-based biological control has not been conducted previously in blackberries because the crop matures during the summer when temperatures are high, and there are concerns whether N. californicus can control T. urticae populations during these high temperatures. The experimental design was a completely randomized block, and treatments included the following: (1) abamectin, (2) N. californicus, and (3) untreated blackberry plants. Abamectin was effective, but mite populations were cyclic and additional applications were needed. The study demonstrated that N. californicus provided the most effective and sustained control for T. urticae on blackberry plants under hot and humid conditions. A good assessment of local phytoseiids and other predators is needed before releasing N. californicus into blackberry plantings.
Resumen
La arañita, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae), es una plaga acarina clave que afecta la producción de mora en todo el mundo. Tetranychus urticae se alimenta del lado inferior de las hojas, extrae clorofila y reduce el rendimiento de los cultivos. Amblyseius (Neoseiulus) californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Mesotigmata: Phytoseiidae) ha sido identificado como un posible depredador de T. urticae. Se realizó un experiment del invernadero y de campo para evaluar el potencial de N. californicus como agente de control biológico para T. urticae en las variedades de mora ‘Arapaho,’ ‘Navaho,’ y ‘Quachita.’ No se han realizado investigaciones sobre el control biológico basado en N. californicus anteriormente en moras porque el cultivo madura durante el verano cuando las temperaturas son altas y existe la preocupación de si N. californicus puede controlar las poblaciónes de T. urticae durante estas altas temperaturas. El diseño experimental fue un bloque completamente al azar y los tratamientos incluyeron lo siguiente: (1) abamectina, (2) N. californicus, y (3) plantas de mora sin tratamiento. La abamectina fue efectiva, pero las poblaciones de ácaros fueron cíclicas y se necesitaron aplicaciones adicionales. El estudio demostró que N. californicus proporcionó el control más efectivo y sostenido para T. urticae en plantas de mora en condiciones de calor y humedad. Se necesita una buena evaluación de los fitoseidos locales y otros depredadores antes de liberar N. californicus en las plantaciones de mora.
Key Words: Rubus; Tetranychidae; Phytoseiidae; abamectin; biological control; Tetranychus urticae
View this article in BioOne https://doi.org/10.1653/024.102.0217
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