Phytoseiidae on citrus in Florida dooryard, varietal, and commercial trees between 1951 and 2014, and species recommendations for evaluation in citrus under protective screen (CUPS)

Authors

  • Carl C. Childers University of Florida, IFAS, Citrus Research & Education Center, Lake Alfred, Florida 33850, USA
  • Eduard A. Ueckermann Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
  • Gilberto Jose de Moraes Universidade de São Paulo, Departmento de Entomologia e Acarologia, Escola Superior de Agriculture “Luiz de Queiroz,” Piracicaba, Brazil

Abstract

A survey of the mite fauna on citrus was conducted in 550 dooryard trees including 25 varietal trees in Florida, USA, during 2009 to 2014 in the following counties: Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, St. Lucie, and Sarasota. One abandoned block of trees was sampled in Highlands County. Seventeen species of Phytoseiidae were identified from 1,982 slide-mounted mites collected from these trees. Euseius ennsi Ueckermann, Moraes & Childers, Euseius ovalis (Evans), Neoseiulus loxus (Schuster & Pritchard), Phytoseius coheni Swirski & Shechter, Typhlodromalus jucundus (Chant), and Typhlodromina johnsoni (Mahr) were new records on Florida citrus. Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) was the most abundant species with 854 of the phytoseiids followed by E. ovalis, Euseius mesembrinus (Dean), E. ennsi, and Iphiseioides quadripilis (Banks) (all Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) with 418, 388, 81, and 68 mites, respectively. Amblyseius largoensis was the most frequently collected phytoseiid from 220 of the 550 dooryard and varietal trees, followed by E. ovalis from 97 trees. A total of 787 commercial citrus trees were sampled in Florida from 2009 to 2014 in De Soto, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Polk, and St Lucie counties. One T. jucundus was collected from these trees. Amblyseius largoensis and E. ovalis are recommended for evaluation as general predators of mite and insect pests in enclosed structures of citrus under protective screen (CUPS). Both mites have broad host ranges and are known mite predators, including some insect pests. Both species appear to have some degree of pesticide tolerance and use supplemental plant pollens such as Quercus virginiana Mill. (Fagaceae) or Typha spp. L. (Poaceae). Differences in phytoseiid species in this study and from earlier sampling for mites on citrus in Florida from 1986 to 2003 by the first author, a horticultural mineral oil (HMO) field study during 1994 to 1996, M. H. Muma from 1951 to 1975, and Denmark and Evans (2011) are included for comparison. A combined total of 60 phytoseiid species are reported on Florida citrus for the period of 1951 to 2014.

Resumen

Se realizó un estudio de la fauna de ácaros en los cítricos en 550 árboles de patio, incluidos 25 árboles varietales en la Florida, EE. UU., durante el 2009 a 2014 en los siguientes condados: Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk, St. Lucie, y Sarasota. Se muestreó un bloque de árboles abandonado en el condado de Highlands. Se identificaron diecisiete especies de Phytoseiidae (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) a partir de 1.982 ácaros montados en portaobjetos recolectados de estos árboles. Euseius ennsi Ueckermann, Moraes & Childers, Euseius ovalis (Evans), Neoseiulus loxus (Schuster & Pritchard), Phytoseius coheni Swirski & Shechter, Typhlodromalus jucundus (Chant) y Typhlodromina johnsoni (Mahr) eran nuevos registros sobre los cítricos en la Florida. Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) fue la especie más abundante con 854 de los fitoseiidos, seguida de E. ovalis, Euseius mesembrinus (Dean), E. ennsi e Iphiseioides quadripilis (todos Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) con 418, 388, 81, y 68 ácaros, respectivamente. Amblyseius largoensis fue el fitoseido recolectado con mayor frecuencia de 220 de los 550 árboles de patio y varietales, seguido por E. ovalis de 97 árboles. En este mismo estudio se muestrearon un total de 787 árboles de cítricos comerciales en la Florida entre el 2009 y 2014 en los condados de De Soto, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Polk, y St. Lucie. De estos árboles se recolectó un individuo de T. jucundus. Se recomiendan Amblyseius largoensis y E. ovalis para evaluación como depredadores generales de plagas de ácaros e insectos en estructuras cerradas de cítricos bajo una pantalla protectora. Ambos ácaros tienen un amplio rango de hospedadores y son depredadores de ácaros conocidos, incluidas algunas plagas de insectos. Ambas especies parecen tener cierto grado de tolerancia a los pesticidas y consumen pólenes de plantas suplementarias como Quercus virginiana Mill. (Fagaceae) o Typha spp. L. (Poaceae). Se incluyen las diferencias en las especies de fitoseidos de este estudio y los muestreos anteriores de ácaros en los cítricos en Florida entre 1986 y 2003, un estudio de campo de aceite mineral hortícola durante el 1994 a 1996, estudios hechos por MH Muma desde el 1951 a 1975 y los registros de Denmark y Evans (2011) para comparación. Se informa un total combinado de 60 especies de fitoseidos sobre los cítricos de la Florida durante el período de 1951 a 2014.

Key Words: Phytoseiidae; Mesostigmata; citrus; biological control; integrated mite control; citrus under protective screen (CUPS)

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Author Biography

Carl C. Childers, University of Florida, IFAS, Citrus Research & Education Center, Lake Alfred, Florida 33850, USA

Department of Entomology/Nematology

Emeritus Professor

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Published

2022-04-08

Issue

Vol. 105, No. 1 (March 2022)

Section

Research Papers

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