ISSN 1362-1971
An international journal of the Systematic and Applied Acarology Society, published since 1996
[Aims] [Editors] [Content] [Subscriptions] [Contact details] [Society Homepage]
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ISSN 1362-1971 An international journal of the Systematic and Applied Acarology Society, published since 1996 [Aims] [Editors] [Content] [Subscriptions] [Contact details] [Society Homepage] |
Systematic & Applied Acarology (2003) 8, 3-12Acarine pests of citrus: overview and non-chemical control
URI GERSON
Department of Entomology; Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Rehovot 76-100, Israel.
Email: Gerson@agri.huji.ac.il
Abstract
The mites that feed on citrus, which belong to the families Tetranychidae, Tenuipalpidae and Eriophyidae, along with a single species in the Tarsonemidae, are listed and ranked according to their injury. All major citrus pests, except the Eriophyidae, are generalists. Analogously, there are only generalists, but no specialists, among the natural enemies that are known, or postulated, to control acarine citrus pests. This suggests that neither the major pest mites nor their natural enemies have evolved on citrus, and that generalist predators thus have a better chance to control the pests. As the introduction of generalist natural enemies is currently restricted by environmental concerns, and as this practice has not led to improved control of the acarine pests of citrus, it is argued that better use should be made of the indigenous predators of citrus mites.Key words: Acari, citrus pests, biological control, indigenous natural enemies
Copyright 1999-2003 Systematic and Applied Acarology Society
Last updated 20 Aug. 2003
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