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Potential of predation byMetaseiulus occidentalis in compensating for increased, nutritionally induced, power of increase ofTetranychus urticae

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Abstract

This study was conducted to ascertain if the predatory phytoseiidMetaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) could contain and regulate a prey population of the two-spotted mite,Tetranychus urticae Koch, on strawberries at both high and low levels of reproductive increase of the prey species, by use of high and low levels of nitrogen fertilization of the strawberry plants which were grown in 2 hydroponic tanks, 1 with full nutrients, 1 with 1/40 full nutrients. A 14-h day length was provided. Temperatures averaged 21°C with R.H. averaging about 75. After inoculation prey and predator counts were made weekly. Fecundity tests were conducted throughout the experiment as were leaf analyses to determine the levels of available nutrients.

The phytoseiid gave good control of the spider mite population in spite of (compensating for) an increase in fecundity due to the high nutritional qualities of the host plant over a relatively long period of time. The results showed the numerical response of the predator to be sufficient to respond to and control the prey population under both high and low fertilization, althougheconomic control was less reliable under high nitrogen.

Résumé

Cette étude a été réalisée pour démontrer la possibilité du phytoseiide prédateur,Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) d'assurer la régulation d'une population de sa proie, l'acarienTetranychus urticae Koch, se développant sur des fraisiers avec des taux de reproduction élevés ou faibles selon le degré de fertilisation azotée de la plante-hôte, cultivée en milieu hydroponique dans deux conditions: l'une avec les engrais à dose complète, l'autre avec les engrais au 1/40 de cette dose. L'expérimentation a été conduite à 14 heures de lumière, les températures étant voisines de 21°C et l'humidité relative à 75%. Le dénombrement des proies et des prédateurs eut lieu chaque semaine. Pendant toute l'expérimentation la fécondité fut contrôlée ainsi que la teneur des feuilles en azote, potassium et phosphore.

Le phytoseiide a assuré la régulation de la population du tetranyque en dépit de l'augmentation de la fécondité de celui-ci due aux qualités nutritionnelles élevées de la plante pendant un délai relativement long. Ces résultats montrent que la réponse numérique du prédateur est suffisante pour obtenir que pour des taux faibles. Cependant les conditions économiques de ce contrôle sont moins satisfaisantes dans le cas d'une forte teneur en azote du milieu de culture.

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  1. Division of Biological Control, Department of Entomological Sciences, University of California, 94720, Berkeley, USA

    Junji Hamai & C. B. Huffaker

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  1. Junji Hamai
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Hamai, J., Huffaker, C.B. Potential of predation byMetaseiulus occidentalis in compensating for increased, nutritionally induced, power of increase ofTetranychus urticae . Entomophaga 23, 225–237 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02373097

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