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Management of apple orchards to conserve generalist phytoseiid mites suppresses two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

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Abstract

To improve the success of integrated pest management (IPM) in apple orchards, we investigated whether generalist phytoseiid mites have suppressed the occurrence of Tetranychus urticae. In Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, in 2012 and 2013, two types of experimental plot were compared. Conservation plots had been managed for the conservation of generalist phytoseiid mites by selective chemical spraying without mowing since 2009. Conventional plots were managed by non-selective chemical spraying with regular mowing. The conservation plots had significantly fewer T. urticae adult females per tree in both years. Two species of generalist phytoseiid mites—Typhlodromus vulgaris and Amblyseius tsugawai—were continuously present in the conservation plots, with only a few T. urticae. The conservation plots had significantly more A. tsugawai adult females in the undergrowth in both years, and significantly more T. vulgaris adult females on apple leaves in 2012. Typhlodromus vulgaris was continuously present in the conservation plots but was scarce from late May to early August in the conventional plots. In the presence of T. vulgaris, low numbers of T. urticae did not increase on apple leaves. These results indicate that the generalist phytoseiid mites serve as important biological control agents in IPM in apple orchards.

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Acknowledgments

We thank A. Oda, A. Sato, and K. Kagaya of the Akita Fruit Tree Experiment Station for their assistance with the field work. This research was financially supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan, through a research project entitled “Development of technologies for mitigation and adaptation to climate change in agriculture, forestry and fisheries” and by the joint research program implemented at the Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Akita Fruit Tree Experimental Station, Yokote, Akita, 013-0102, Japan

    Ken Funayama, Michiyo Komatus, Isao Takahashi & Kazuko Hara

  2. Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, Kurashiki, Okayama, 710-0046, Japan

    Shoji Sonoda

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  1. Ken Funayama
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  2. Michiyo Komatus
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  3. Shoji Sonoda
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  4. Isao Takahashi
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  5. Kazuko Hara
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Correspondence to Ken Funayama.

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Funayama, K., Komatus, M., Sonoda, S. et al. Management of apple orchards to conserve generalist phytoseiid mites suppresses two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae). Exp Appl Acarol 65, 43–54 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-014-9850-7

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