Abstract
Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) (Phytoseiidae) is a natural enemy of Tetranychus urticae Koch (TSSM), a common pest in several cultures, especially in greenhouses. This research aimed to know the biological parameters of a strain of P. macropilis from Vale do Taquari, State of Rio Grande do Sul, feeding on TSSM at different temperatures. The study was initiated with 30 eggs individualized in arenas under the temperature of 20, 25 and 30 ± 1°C and relative humidity of 80 ± 10%. The average length (T) of each generation decreased with the increase of temperature, ranging from 25.71 days at 20°C to 11.14 days at 30°C. The net reproductive rate (Ro) ranged from 45.47 at 20°C to 18.25 at 30°C; the innate capacity for increase (rm) was 0.15 at 20°C, reaching 0.26 at 30°C and the finite increase rate (λ) ranged from 1.41 to 1.82 females day-1 at 20 and 30°C, respectively. In the present study, it was observed that the strain of the evaluated predatory mite from mild climate of South Brazil, might present a good performance to control TSSM when exposed to a temperature range between 20 and 30°C.
Highlights
Tetranychid mites have been mentioned as the most important mites that attack plants, presenting a potential to reach a pest status (Moraes & Flechtmann, 2008)
Tetranychus urticae Koch is a polyphagou specie that may feed on more than 600 plant species (Bolland, Gutierrez, & Flechtmann, 1998). This mite attacks the abaxial surface of developed leaves, spinning webs that form silverywhite spots (Lourenção, Pereira, Miranda, & Ambrosano, 2000). The importance of this mite as a possible pest of strawberries in the state of Rio Grande do Sul was reported by Ferla, Marchetti and Gonçalves (2007)
The damages caused by TSSM are intensely increasing, either in greenhouse or low tunnels (Easterbrook, Fitzgerald, & Solomon, 2001; Sato, Tanaka, & Miyata, 2007), and may reduce the production yields in up to 80% (Ronque, 1999)
Summary
Tetranychid mites have been mentioned as the most important mites that attack plants, presenting a potential to reach a pest status (Moraes & Flechtmann, 2008). Tetranychus urticae Koch (twospotted spider mite - TSSM) is a polyphagou specie that may feed on more than 600 plant species (Bolland, Gutierrez, & Flechtmann, 1998). This mite attacks the abaxial surface of developed leaves, spinning webs that form silverywhite spots (Lourenção, Pereira, Miranda, & Ambrosano, 2000). The importance of this mite as a possible pest of strawberries in the state of Rio Grande do Sul was reported by Ferla, Marchetti and Gonçalves (2007). Consumers oppose this method due to its insecticide toxicity, and the negligence of the farmers in the application of such pesticides
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
