Abstract
ABSTRACTDespite the great diversity of the Brazilian fauna of phytoseiid mites, studies about their potential as biological control agents of the silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype B (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), have barely been initiated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of a Brazilian population of Amblyseius tamatavensis Blommers (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to control B. tabaci. In the first part of this study, the biotic potential of the predator was evaluated at 28 ± 1°C, 80 ± 10% RH and 12 h of daily photoperiod, when offered eggs of B. tabaci as food. In the second, the performance of the predator as a control agent of B. tabaci was evaluated on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L., Solanaceae) plants. Amblyseius tamatavensis completed immature development in 5.1 ± 0.1 days and laid an average of 1.0 ± 0.1 eggs/female/day in its lifetime; calculated intrinsic rate of population increase was 0.21 ± 0.01 female/female/day. Under laboratory conditions, the predator was able to significantly reduce the population density of B. tabaci when released on artificially infested bell pepper plants. Reductions between 60% and 80% of pest population were observed in comparison with densities on plants onto which the predator had not been released. The results suggested that A. tamatavensis is promising as a biological control agent of B. tabaci biotype B.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
