Eriofidne grinje kao agensi klasične biološke kontrole korova

Abstract

Eriophyoids are tiny plant-feeding mites belonging to the families of Eriophyidae, Phytoptidae and Diptilomiopidae. Eriophyoid mites are obligatory phytohages that infest all plant parts, except the roots. Most of them are quite host specific. About 80% of currently known recorded species of eriophyoid mites are associated with a single species of host plant. Classical biological control involves the introduction of control agents into a region, that does not form part of their natural area of distribution, to provide control of invasive weed species. In order to avoid direct damage to non target species, biological control agents must be highly host specific. Classical biological control of weeds depends on finding agents that are highly host-specific. Eriophyoid mites (EM) have long been thought to have high potential as biological control agents of classical biological control of weeds, and many review papers have emphasized their prospects. The use of phylogenies based on the statistical analysis of large numbers of characters, whether molecular genetic or morphological, can help traditional taxonomy and subsequently biological control. Correct systematic identification is a first step to finding prospective agents on the appropriate genotypes of the weed that are targeted for biological control.