Systematic & Applied Acarology
ISSN 1362-1971
An international journal of the Systematic and Applied Acarology Society, published since 1996


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Systematic & Applied Acarology (2002) 7, 35-48

Efficacy of different release strategies of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) for the control of two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) on greenhouse cut roses

SYLVIA BLÜMEL & ANDREAS WALZER

Federal Office and Research Centre for Agriculture, Institute of Phytomedicine Spargelfeldstr. 191, A-1226 Vienna, Austria

Abstract

Separate and combined releases of P. persimilis and N. californicus were tested for the control of T. urticae on

greenhouse cut roses under integrated pest management conditions. Release strategies were carried out in

separate greenhouses and were not replicated. Mite densities were controlled at regular intervals on 50 single,

randomly collected leaves per greenhouse. Natural infestations of 23.9 T. urticae per leaf at the start of the trial

were controlled throughout the growing season by the simultaneous, combined release of 26 P. persimilis/m²

and 24 N. californicus/ m². Separate releases of each phytoseiid species - 32 P. persimilis/m² at an initial

infestation of 0.16 T. urticae per leaf, or 51 N. californicus/m² in total at an initial infestation of 10.2 T. urticae

per leaf - failed to adequately suppress spider mite populations. Additional treatments with selective acaricides

were required. Reasons for the different control success of the three release strategies and their implications for

practical use are discussed.

Key words: greenhouse roses, biological control, integrated control, Tetranychus urticae, Phytoseiulus

persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus

 


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