Abstract
In recent years, the tomato russet mite (TRM) [Aculops lycopersici (Acarina: Eriophyidae)] has become one of the more important pests of greenhouse tomatoes in northeastern North America. As a first step toward developing a biological control strategy for the TRM, our objective has been to test the potential of already commercialized mite predators. In laboratory experiments, voracity of Chrysopa carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acarina: Phytoseiidae), and Amblyseius cucumeris (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) was determined for egg, immature, and adult stages of the TRM. The first two predator species did not prey on TRM, whereas A. cucumeris fed on each of the life stages of the eriophyid mite. Further experiments showed that A. cucumeris was able to develop and reproduce when feeding on TRM. Implication of these results for controlling TRM in greenhouses is discussed with respect to predator specificity and prey suitability.
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