Cyclamen Mite Research Articles

Steam Treatment Controls Cyclamen Mite (Phytonemus pallidus) Without Compromising Strawberry Plant Survival, Growth and Yield

ABSTRACT Cyclamen mite is a pest of strawberry that is difficult to control due to its small size and preference for inhabiting concealed spaces in new plant growth. Steam treatment of transplants effectively reduces some strawberry pathogens and may be a valuable tool against cyclamen mite. Strawberry transplants (“Jewel” and “Annapolis”) that were artificially infested with cyclamen mite were steam-treated at 44°C for 1 h or at 48°C for 0.5 h. Both treatments reduced cyclamen mite numbers by > 99% compared to the control, and 44°C for 1 h had no negative effects on plant survival, growth or yield. In a second, similar, field experiment, transplants (“Jewel”) were categorized by crown size as small (6–8 mm) and large (10–13 mm) and steam-treated at 44°C for 1 or 4 h. Steam treatments reduced cyclamen mite numbers by 92–93% compared to the control, but in the 4 h treatment, survival of small crowns was 40%. Steam treatment of strawberry transplants at 44°C for 1 h is an effective tool and may reduce reliance on miticides for cyclamen mite control. Additional research is needed to determine the optimal steam treatment protocols for cyclamen mite control and to understand the effect of the steam treatment on strawberry transplants with different crown sizes.

Neoseiulus agrestis as a biological agent, and monitoring of introducted thrips in greenhouses

Oligophagus Neoseiulus agrestis (Karg, 1960) can be used as predator on vegetable, flower and berry crops. It is capable of feeding on Tetranychidae and Tarsonemidae. The ability to regulate the number of Thripidae has been established. It lives in colonies of Acaridae mites. The technology of mass breeding allows to accumulate predator population in a loose substrate. The technology of use for this phytoseiid mite should be adapted to each type of plant taking into account the bioecological features. For a greenhouse cucumber, the release should be made at the trellis part of the plant. On flower crops, for example gloxinia, colonization is carried out by sowing the substrate with a predator on all plants in the greenhouse. It is effective on garden strawberries in the struggle against the strawberry mite Steneotarsonemus pallidus. The predator prefers to attack the nymphal stages and eggs of the Tetranychus urticae mite. It is capable of attacking not only the larvae of Thrips nigropilosus, but also its nymphs. In the garden strawberry leaf rosette, it destroys the strawberry mite, at penetration into the inner part of leaf buttons. It is highly sensitive to pesticides from the class of macrocyclic lactones and synthetic pyrethroids. Preparations based on the bacterium Bacillus thurengiensis on N. agrestis do not have a lethal effect.

Ultraviolet-C irradiation has no short-term, direct effects on cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus (Banks)) in strawberry

Cyclamen mite is a nearly global pest of strawberry, inhabiting concealed spaces within folded leaves and flower buds emerging from plant crowns. It feeds on new plant tissue causing leaf discoloration and deformation, stunted plants, fruit bronzing and cracking, and yield losses at high population levels. Because ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation is a promising new tool for disease and pest management in strawberry, and because there are few control options for cyclamen mite, we tested the direct, short-term effects of UV-C on cyclamen mite populations in potted strawberry plants in a controlled environment. Results from three experiments showed few differences in cyclamen mite populations on controls versus plants treated with UV-C (0.237 W m−1) for 3 or 4 weeks. In the second experiment, using a different strawberry cultivar and directing the UV-C from above the plant crown only, there was indication of a mild effect that may be due to some direct mortality and/or indirectly to plant defenses. However, longer-term studies will need to be conducted to determine whether pre-infestation exposure to UV-C can enable strawberry plants to better resist or tolerate cyclamen mite populations. Direct mortality did not occur as in previous experiments with pests, like twospotted spider mite, that live primarily on opened leaves.

Control of Phytonemus pallidus (Acari: Tarsonemidae) from strawberry transplants using controlled atmosphere temperature treatment.

Since it inhabits young leaves and buds of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne) crowns, cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus Banks) is a difficult pest to control with biological or chemical means once it is present in a field. Controlled atmosphere temperature treatment (CATT) is a successful technique that has been commercially used in the Netherlands for nearly 2 decades to disinfect strawberry nursery stock, including elimination of cyclamen mite. During CATT, plants are treated at 35 °C, 50% CO2, and 10% O2 under high relative humidity for 48 h. The objective of this study was to test CATT against P. pallidus in North America at a scale that can be easily used on-farms by strawberry growers. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted where infested trayplants were treated with CATT or the acaricide abamectin, and P. pallidus number were compared to control plants. Plants were destructively sampled after 4 weeks, and CATT reduced mobile forms of P. pallidus by 99.9% in both experiments. Abamectin used in the first experiment had an efficacy of 95.5%. Our findings suggest that CATT is effective at nearly eliminating P. pallidus from strawberry planting material, and its application could reduce risks of field infestations and the need for multiple acaricide applications. While our results are encouraging, additional research is needed to assess the effects of CATT on strawberry plant survival, growth, and fruit production.

The temporal distribution of cyclamen mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Acari: Tarsonemidae), in strawberry and comparison of sampling methods

Abstract Cyclamen mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae), is a pest of strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne (Rosaceae), that injures new growth, resulting in damage to leaves and fruit. The primary source of cyclamen mite in strawberry is infested planting material, and damaged plants tend to occur in small, isolated patches in perennial production systems. In the present study, we determined through repeated sampling of strawberry plants in Ontario and Saskatchewan, Canada whether relative cyclamen mite population levels were stable in commercial fields and whether overwintering and field renovation (mowing) affected populations. In Ontario, cyclamen mite counts were significantly correlated for 66% (10 of 15) of the paired comparisons from six sampling dates in more than one year, indicating a relatively stable distribution of cyclamen mite patches in strawberry fields. Winter caused high mortality (100 times fewer mites in spring than fall) and mowing caused some mortality (10 times fewer mites post- than pre-mow). We found that more cyclamen mite motiles were extracted from plant material stored in ethanol and triple-washed than were extracted using Berlese funnels, although counts from leaves were correlated between methods. No cyclamen mites were found in Saskatchewan. Knowing that cyclamen mite patches are local and spread is negligible will facilitate targeted applications of controls.

Cyclamen Mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) (Arachnida: Acarina: Tarsonemidae)

Revised! This document is EENY-178 (originally published as DPI Entomology Circulars 25, 177 and 306), part of the Featured Creatures collection. Published by the the Entomology and Nematology Department, UF/IFAS Extension, August 2004. EENY-178/IN335: Cyclamen Mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) (Arachnida: Acari: Tarsonemidae) (ufl.edu)

Cyclamen mite (Acari: Tarsonemidae) monitoring in eastern Canada strawberry (Rosaceae) fields and its potential control by the predatory miteNeoseiulus cucumeris(Acari: Phytoseiidae)

AbstractThe cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidusBanks; Acari: Tarsonemidae) has recently become a more important pest in Canadian strawberry (Fragaria×ananassaDuchesne ex Rozier; Rosaceae) production with the withdrawal of the pesticide endosulfan in 2016, yet its phenology under field conditions in Canada is poorly known. Moreover, while its biological control with predatory mites has shown potential, the effectiveness of this method has never been investigated under eastern Canadian field conditions. The objectives of this study were to (1) monitor populations ofP. pallidusin strawberries for two consecutive years; and (2) evaluate the in-field potential of the predatory miteNeoseiulus cucumerisOudemans (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Monitoring cyclamen mite populations in the field revealed new critical knowledge about its phenology in eastern Canada, such as activity until late November. The predatorN. cucumeriswas able to effectively suppress cyclamen mites the first year, but appeared to be too cold-sensitive to maintain adequate control towards the end of the season. Furthermore, the high rates of predator release required would most likely be cost prohibitive for commercial use. Control of the cyclamen mite in strawberries remains a complex issue that will require further research.

Ácaros fitófagos asociados a jitomate en el norte de Sinaloa, México

Debido a la gran importancia que tiene Sinaloa en la producción de jitomate rojo en México, surgió la necesidad de realizar la presente investigación cuyo objetivo fue determinar las especies de ácaros fitófagos asociados al cultivo de jitomate en el norte de Sinaloa y conocer su fluctuación poblacional. El trabajo se realizó en el norte del estado, en cuatro sitios de muestreo y dos sistemas de producción (malla sombra y campo abierto). Los muestreos se realizaron en una periodicidad quincenal durante el periodo de diciembre de 2015 a mayo de 2016, aleatoriamente se seleccionaron 10 plantas por parcela y se consideraron 30 foliolos por planta, 10 por estrato (superior, medio e inferior) como unidad de muestreo. Se recolectaron 1 548 ácaros en malla sombra y 1 314 en campo abierto, del total de ácaros recolectados, 71.5% correspondió a Tetranychus urticae, 13.2% a Polyphagotarsonemus latus y 15.3% a Phytonemus pallidus. La especie T. urticae estuvo presente durante todas las etapas de desarrollo del cultivo, su fluctuación poblacional osciló conforme a las condiciones de temperatura, con menores registros de presencia durante enero-febrero y mayor incidencia durante abril-mayo. La presencia del ácaro ciclamen, P. pallidus en sistema de producción malla sombra durante la etapa reproductiva del cultivo representa el primer registro de presencia de esta especie sobre el cultivo en el norte de Sinaloa.

Strawberries: Main Pests and Beneficials in Florida

The strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa, is an important small fruit crop in Florida. The sunshine state leads the southeastern U.S. in strawberry production and ranks second to California nationwide. The mild weather of Florida's fall and winter seasons sustain the nation's second largest strawberry production. These conditions, unfortunately, are also suitable for several arthropod pests to multiply and feed on the crop. Strawberry plants are quickly established two weeks after the transplanting irrigation is turned off. This is the time growers must begin to scout their fields at least once a week to assess the status of pests, such as spider mites, cyclamen mites, lepidopterous larvae, aphids, thrips, and sap beetles. The ability to recognize these pests, their damage, and their natural enemies is important in determining the best control methods for each situation. Keep in mind that miticide or insecticide choices are limited if you participate in a biological control program. This document is HS1018, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: July 2005.

Transgenerational sublethal effects of abamectin and pyridaben on demographic traits of Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae).

In addition to determining the lethal effects, identifying sublethal effects of a pesticide is crucial to understanding the total impact a pesticide may have on a pest population. We determined the sublethal effects the two pesticides, abamectin and pyridaben, have on the cyclamen mite, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae)-a major pest of strawberry. Demographic traits of the P. pallidus progeny (F1 generation) produced by parents (F0 generation) treated with a low lethal concentration (LC15) of abamectin and pyridaben were assessed using the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The total longevity of the F1 generation (males = 10.78 days; female = 14.35 days) was the shortest in the progeny of the abamectin treated parents, differing significantly from the progeny of mites treated with pyridaben (males = 11.50 days, females = 15.63 days), and the control population (males = 13.50 days, females = 17.81 days). The intrinsic rates of increase (r) and the finite rates of increase (λ) of the progeny of abamectin (r = 0.0854 day-1, λ = 1.0891 day-1) and pyridaben (r = 0.0951 day-1, λ = 1.0997 day-1) treated parents were significantly lower than in the control mites (r = 0.1455 day-1, λ = 1.1567 day-1). The lowest fecundity (5.35 eggs/female), occurred in F1 female offspring of parents treated with LC15 concentrations of abamectin, which was significantly lower than in the pyridaben (6.11 eggs/female) and control treatments (11.45 eggs/female). Transgenerational sublethal effects of abamectin and pyridaben in P. pallidus can be effectively used to for optimizing IPM programs against this pest on strawberries.

CYCLAMEN MITE, PHYTONEMUS PALLIDUS (BANKS), AND OTHER TARSONEMID MITES IN STRAWBERRIES

Cyclamen mites, Phytonemus pallidus (Banks), from infested fields near Watsonville, CA, served as the source for this study. Infested strawberry leaflets were dipped into solutions of candidate acaricides plus a surfactant or a water and surfactant control. Individual adult females from these treated leaflets were immediately transferred to strawberry leaf discs placed on moistened filter paper in Petri dish containers, and examined for survival after 24 and 48 hours. In 2005, acaricides evaluated included bifenezate, abamectin, fenpyroximate, dicofol, acequinocyl, milbemectin, spiromesefen and etoxizole. In 2006, acaricides evaluated included fenpropathrin, fenpyroximate, acequinocyl, and two organically-approved products containing essential oils, Ecotrol and GC Mite. ANOVA results indicated significant (P<0.05) treatment differences for both the 2005 and 2006 studies, and results are presented. Two other Tarsonemid species, Tarsonemus setifer Ewing and Tarsonemus confusus Ewing, were found on strawberry plants. No damage symptoms were found on infested plants. Femur IV of cyclamen mite males possess a flange that distinguish them from the Tarsonemus species males, and their behavior and distribution differ as well.

Effects of Cyclamen Mite (Phytonemus pallidus) and Leaf Beetle (Galerucella tenella) Damage on Volatile Emission from Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Plants and Orientation of Predatory Mites (Neoseiulus cucumeris, N. californicus, and Euseius finlandicus)

Volatile emission profile of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) plants (cvs. Polka and Honeoye) damaged by cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus Banks) or leaf beetle Galerucella tenella (L.) (cv. Polka) was analyzed to determine the potential of these strawberry plants to emit herbivore-induced volatiles. The total volatile emissions as well as emissions of many green leaf volatiles (e.g., (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate) and methyl salicylate were greater from cyclamen mite-damaged strawberry plants than from intact plants. Leaf beetle feeding increased emissions of monoterpenes (Z)-ocimene and (E)-beta-ocimene, sesquiterpenes (E)-beta-caryophyllene, (E,E)-alpha-farnesene, and germacrene-D, and a homoterpene (3E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT) significantly. Nevertheless, the naïve generalist predatory mites, Neoseiulus cucumeris, Neoseiulus californicus, and Euseius finlandicus did not prefer P. pallidus- or G. tenella-damaged plants over intact plants in a Y-tube olfactometer, suggesting that these predatory mite species are not attracted by the herbivore-induced volatiles being released from young strawberry plants.

Predation, Reproduction, and Impact of Phytoseiid Mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Cyclamen Mite (Acari: Tarsonemidae) on Strawberry

Abilities of phytoseiid mites to attack, reproduce, and control cyclamen mite, Phy- tonenus pallidus (Banks), on strawberry were assessed. In laboratory feeding tests, Typhlodromus Pyri Scheuten, Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman), and N. califomicus (Chant) attacked P. pallidusl i most often; Amblyseius andersoni Chant fed on the cycalmen mite most successfully, and Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) had difficulty piercing the hardened body of adults. Net predation was T. pyri > N. fallacies > N. californicus > A. andersoni > G. occidentalis , Although several species fed on cyclamen mites, some are more common on strawberry or are more proven as effective predators of P. pallidus and thus later reproduction and pest control tests were conducted with only 2 species. When held with excess cyclamen mites, survival and immature production of N. fallacies were '50% of when feeding on a more preferred prey, Tetranychus urticae Koch and like levels for N. cucl1meris (Oudemans), a proven effective predator of P. pallidus . When releases of N.fallacis or N. CtIc11lneris were made to plants with moderate densities of cyclamen mites and T. urticae , pests were controlled sooner and damage to plants was less with N. fallacis than N. Cucumeris . Releases of both phytoseiids to plants infested with high densities of only cyclamen mites produced fewer of either N. fallacis or N. Cucumeris than when both pests were present, but there was better pest control (less plant damage) and again, N.fallacis gave slightly better control than N. CtICt1meris .Although N.fallacis gave more rapid control of both pests, N. Cucumeris may give longer-term regulation at lower densities. Differences in life histories may dictate that unique methods of release are needed for N. fallacis versus N. Cucumeris and mixed releases of both may be effective.

Effect of Miticides on Cyclamen Mites, 1994

Abstract A trial was conducted in a commercial greenhouse (70-80°F) in Riverside, CA. This experiment was conducted as a 20 (treatments) x 2 (one or two application) factorial RCB, with 5 single-plant replicates. All treatments were applied to run-off with a COz-pressurized sprayer at 40 psi with an 8002 TeeJet nozzles. All plants were sprayed on 18 Mar and half of the plants were sprayed again on 25 March. Treatments were evaluated on 1-4 Apr by removing 5 terminals from each plant and dissecting the buds to count the mites. Ratings were: 0, no mites; 1, 1 mobile mite; 10, &amp;gt; 1 mite. The ratings were totaled for each plant to give a composite rating between 0 and 50. Longer-term plant growth response was evaluated 30 DAT (25 Apr) by counting the number of terminals exhibiting cupped leaves and shortened internodes typical of cyclamen mite injury. Ratings for the number of injured terminals were 0, none; 1, 1-2; 2, 3-4 3, 5-6; 4, &amp;gt;6 damaged terminals.

Damage, and Control of the Strawberry MiteSteneotarsonemus Pallidus(Acarina: Tarsonemidae), on Strawberries

SummaryAttacks of Steneotarsonemus pallidus on the strawberry cultivar Senga Sengana reduced the number of flowers per inflorescence and size of fruit. Attacks in the post-harvest period reduced flower numbers. Mite populations averaging less than eight per leaflet in the post-harvest period apparently did not affect yields in the following year.Endosulfan gave better control of S. pallidus than dicofol. Differences were minimal with spray volumes between 50 and 2001 per 1000 m row and gave good control in all cases.

The Possible Control of Steneotarsonemus pallidus on Strawberries by Phytoseiulus persimilis

SUMMARYDuring observational trials on the control of the red spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, on strawberries by the predator Phytoseiulus persimilis in south‐west England in 1967–69 it was noticed that the strawberry mite, Steneotarsonemus pallidus, when present at the time of introduction of the predator, did not build up sufficiently to cause damage. It did, however, build up when the predator was not used. It is suggested that the predator could be used to control both red spider mite and strawberry mite on strawberries in the field in this part of England.

Commercial Availability of Predatory Mites

Predatory mites such as Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Fig. 1) and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Fig. 2) feed on important fruits and ornamental pests such as the twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch), broad mite (Polyphagotarsonemus (Stenotarsonemus) latus Banks), cyclamen mite (Tarsonemus pallidus L.), and other mite species. These predatory mites are associated with several agricultural cropping systems including strawberries, raspberries, roses, grapes, citrus, ornamentals, and vegetables. Predatory mites have been used as an alternative to miticides on a variety of crops. Their commercial availability is crucial. This document is HS1000, one of a series of the Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: November 2004.

Population Increases of Steneotarsonemm pallidus (Banks) following Spray applications of Dimethoate

SUMMARYField experiments on chemical control of Steneotarsonemus pallidus on Michaelmas daisies (Aster novi‐belgii) at Wisley in 1967 and 1968 showed that massive increases in mite populations follow single spray appl.ications of dimethoate. Published reports of similar effects on strawberries indicate that predators are adversely affected by some organophosphorus pesticides. Predators were present on Michaelmas daisies at Wisley and may have been affected by dimethoate but there may also be some biochemical or other effect on the host plant that increases mite fecunditv.

Cyclamen Mite: A Pest of Michaelmas Daisies

SUMMARYStunting, scarring and distortion of stems and leaves and death of flower buds has caused serious failures of Michaelmas daisies (Aster spp.) in recent years. This failure is here attributed to the presence of high populations of cyclamen mite (Steneotarsonemus pallidus (Banks)). Cultivars of A. novi‐belgii are particularly susceptible to damage and although the mite also occurs on other species, these have some degree of tolerance or resistance.Symptoms of mite damage on A. novi‐belgii are described and illustrated and preliminary observations on the biology of the pest are reported.

Seasonal Densities and Control of the Cyclamen Mite, Steneotarsonemus pallidus (Acarina: Tarsonemidae) on Strawberry in New York1

Intense feeding by the cyclamen mite ( Steneotarsonemus pallidus (Banks)) on young strawberry leaf tissue resulted in a severe necrosis of the epidermis. Milder injury resulted in a hypertrophy with some proliferation of the epidermis in mature leaf tissue. Seasonal density studies revealed the population levels to vary inversely with the rate of new leaf growth. The effects of atmospheric temperatures and leaf growth rate interaction on population densities were considered. Of 26 materials tested for mite control, endosulfan, endrin and Telodrin® (1,3,-4,5,6,7,8,8-oetaehloro-1,3,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methanoisobenzofuran were the most effective. A late Summer treatment was found to he as effective as a preblossom treatment in reducing mite levels during the fruiting period. Under conditions of a moderate plant canopy, 200 gal. of spray mixture per acre appeared to he an absolute minimum for control.