Abstract
Several species of predatory mites, especially those of the family Phytoseiidae, are potentially useful for the control of pest mites and insects. Among the phytoseiids, Euseius concordis (Chant), a species commonly found in South America, has been studied for possible use as biological control agent of pest mites. Given that Euseius species are known to feed on plant leaves and on pollen, the objective of this study was to determine plant species and pollen sources suitable to establish a pilot method of production of that species, based on a set of comparisons in the laboratory. Out of four plant species evaluated in the study, higher survivorship of E. concordis females in the absence of supplementary food was observed on leaflets of Canavalia ensiformis L. Out of two pollen types, higher survivorship was obtained on pollen of Typha domingensis L. In a subsequent step, the population of E. concordis increased 19.3× within 21days when that pollen of T. domingensis was offered to the predator on plantlets of C. ensiformis, at 25.0±1°C, 70.0±10% RH and 12h photophase. Future studies may confirm the economic viability of this setup for the mass production of E. concordis.
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.
