Assessment on the incidence of two-spotted mite of jasmine, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and its natural enemies in Tamil Nadu

Abstract

ABSTRACTTwo-spotted mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) was found to be the serious pest of jasmine posing severe threat to the plant and flower yield. Roving surveys were conducted in 2014–2015 in the major jasmine growing districts of Tamil Nadu, to study the incidence of two-spotted mite and the natural enemies associated with it in managing the pest naturally. Field surveys indicated the presence of the pest in the entire surveyed region in varying intensity with maximum incidence recorded in Madurai (10.25 mites/2 cm2 area), Tirunelveli (9.47 mites/2 cm2 area), and Coimbatore (9.36 mites/2 cm2 area), respectively. The predatory mite Neoseiulus sp. was present in almost all surveyed region except Theni and Erode. Three genera of predatory thrips were recorded viz., Scolothrips sexmaculatus Pergrande, Haplothrips sp., and Aeolothrips sp. A voracious coccinellid predator, Stethorus rani Kapur was present in the jasmine ecosystem in Kanyakumari, Madurai, Dindugal, and Coimbatore district with a mean population of 1.26 per plant. Neuropteran predators Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi Esben Petersen was found effectively managing the eggs and adults of two-spotted mite with a mean population of 2.2 per plant. Generalist predators viz., preying mantises and spiders were present with a mean population of 3.8 and 4.3 per plant. Native weeds and flowering plants were found to provide nectar to the adult stages of the predators.