Abstract
The relations betweenMetatetranychus ulmi living on apple trees and its different predators are complex. The most important natural enemy of this spider mite is the predacious miteTyphlodromus pyri (= T. tiliae). It destroys more spider mites than the beneficial insects do. In the district of Stuttgart-Hohenheim about 38 species of insects and spiders feed onTyphlodromus mites. For instanceT. pyri is reduced considerably byOrius minutus. This bug is a natural enemy of aphids and spider mites, however it prefers the predatory mites. It attacks the spider mites and aphids only ifTyphlodromus mites are not available.Chrysopa vulgaris andAnthocoris nemorum are similar in their feeding habits. These two destroyTyphlodromus pyri also but they are less important thanO. minutus. The other beneficial insects in our orchards have little effect on spider mites or predacious mites. If we have enough pests on our apple trees to make spraying necessary, we should look forTyphlodromus mites and be careful no to destroy them. We should always examine the composition of the biocoenosis applying chemical agents because the populations of insects and predacious mites may vary from one area to the other.
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