Evaluation of organic management system on the population control of Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae) in a citrus orchard in South China

Abstract

ABSTRACT The citrus red mite, Panonychus citri (McGregor), is a key pest in citrus orchards of China. The effect of organic management on the natural population control of citrus red mite was evaluated in a navel orange orchard in Meizhou, South China. Index of population trend (I), interference index of population control (IIPC), and exclusive index of population control (EIPC) were used to evaluate the effect. The results showed I < 1 for the citrus red mite, and predation was still an important factor suppressing the natural population of the citrus red mite in organic management systems. These results suggest that an organic management system is helpful in achieving the ecological management of citrus red mite population in citrus orchards, and the related indices of population control are valuable tools to evaluate the control effect of mites.