Studies on the wheat curl mite, Aceria tulipae Keifer (Eriophyidae), in Egypt

Abstract

Field experiments were carried out with the goal of estimating the population fluctuations of the wheat curl mite, Aceria tulipae Keifer, and its control. These experiments were conducted at an abandoned wheat field in Egypt during a growing season in 2012 in Cairo Governorate. Also, studies on life history aspects and reproductive parameters of the same species in the laboratory at 25 1 °C and 60 15% R.H. were carried out. There were population fluctuations of the wheat curl mite, A. tulipae, when affected by temperature increase during the experimental season. The results showed that the population fluctuation continued at a moderate level until the end of February and then started to increase until it reached to three peaks from the mid of March to the mid of April when the temperature degrees were at 17–24 °C. A. tulipae removes cell contents of the leaves which generally become yellow. The obtained data indicated that the total developmental time of the immature stages was 8.90 ± 0. 74 and 9.58 ± 0.88 days for male and female, respectively, and the female fecundity was 22.8 eggs; 1.17 eggs/♀/day. Intrinsic rate of increase (r m) was found to be 0.153 individuals per female per day and the population multiplied 12.54 times in a generation time of 19.20 days under the given conditions. Three acaricides: Abamectin, Antimite and Sulphur were selected to control the wheat mite A. tulipae. The results of control pest experiments indicated that the Abamectin was superior in reducing the wheat mite A. tulipae (79% reduction) compared to Sulphur and Antimite which had approximately equal reductions (67 and 65% reductions, respectively). The study ended with the conclusion that the population of the wheat mite A. tulipae was significantly highest at the interval from the mid of March to the mid of April. The wheat mite A. tulipae is considered to be disastrous as its intrinsic rate of increase (r m) is high and the best control of this species at this interval was attained with Abamectin.