Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Neoseiulus idaeus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a potential biocontrol agent of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in papaya: performance on different prey stage – host plant combinations

  • Published:
Experimental and Applied Acarology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Development, reproduction, and life table parameters of the phytoseiid mite Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark & Muma preying on various stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch fed on papaya or snap bean plant were studied at 25 ± 2°C, 77 ± 2% RH and 12L:12D photoperiod. Most characteristics of the predator, including the duration of the immature stages, preoviposition and oviposition periods, and female longevity did not differ significantly among the different food combinations. During the adult stage, N. idaeus females survived up to 14 days. The net reproductive rate, the mean generation time, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase of N. idaeus were very similar on all T. urticae stage – host plant combinations, ranging from 5.15 to 6.61 females, 10.15 to 12.62 days, and 0.150 to 0.168, respectively. These results indicate that T. urticae reared either on papaya or snap bean is an adequate prey for the development and reproduction of N. idaeus. Moreover, the current findings demonstrate that the host plant of T. urticae did not affect the predator. The implications of these results for the success of N. idaeus as a biological control agent of T. urticae in papaya orchards are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Blackwood JS, Schausberger P, Croft BA (2001) Prey-stage preference in generalist and specialist phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) when offered Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) eggs and larvae. Environ Entomol 30:1103–1111

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackwood JS, Luh H-K, Croft BA (2004) Evaluation of prey-stage preference as an indicator of life-style type in phytoseiid mites. Exp Appl Acarol 33:261–280

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colfer RG, Rosenheim JA, Godfrey LD, Hsu CL (2004) Evaluation of large-scale releases of western predatory mite for spider mite control in cotton. Biol Control 30:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collier KFS, Lima JOG, Albuquerque GS (2004) Predacious mites in papaya (Carica papaya L.) orchards: in search of a biological control agent of phytophagous mite pests. Neotrop Entomol 33:799–803

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cone WW, Mcdonough LM, Maitlen JC, Burdajewicz S (1971) Pheromone studies of the twospotted spider mite. 1. Evidence of a sex pheromone. J Econ Entomol 64:355–358

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croft BA, Blackwood JS, McMurtry JA (2004) Classifying life-style types of phytoseiid mites: diagnostic traits. Exp Appl Acarol 33:247–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Courcy Williams ME, Kravar-Garde L, Fenlon JS, Sunderland KD (2004) The relationship between dietary specialism and availability of food and water on cannibalistic interactions among predatory mites in protected crops. Exp Appl Acarol 33:31–44

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dinh NV, Janssen A, Sabelis MW (1988) Reproductive success of Amblyseius idaeus and A. anonymus on a diet of two-spotted spider mites. Exp Appl Acarol 4:41–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Easterbrook MA, Fitzgerald JD, Solomon MG (2001) Biological control of strawberry tarsonemid mite Phytonemus pallidus and two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae on strawberry in the UK using species of Neoseiulus (Amblyseius) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Exp Appl Acarol 25:25–36

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernando MHJP, Hassell MP (1980) Predator-prey responses in an acarine system. Res Pop Ecol 22:301–322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flechtmann CHW (1981) Ácaros de importância agrícola, 4th edn. Nobel, São Paulo

    Google Scholar 

  • Fournier V, Rosenheim JA, Brodeur J, Laney LO, Johnson MW (2003) Herbivorous mites as ecological engineers: indirect effects on arthropods inhabiting papaya foliage. Oecologia 135:442–450

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gnanvossou D, Yaninek JS, Hanna R, Dicke M (2003) Effects of prey mite species on life history of the phytoseiid predators Typhlodromalus manihoti and Typhlodromalus aripo. Exp Appl Acarol 30:265–278

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holling CS (1959) Some characteristics of simple types of predation and parasitism. Can Entomol 91:385–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jung C, Han S, Lee J-H (2004) Release strategies of Amblyseius womersleyi and population dynamics of Amblyseius womersleyi and Tetranychus urticae. II. Test of two release rates on apple. Appl Entomol Zool 39:477–484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy GG, Storer NP (2000) Life systems of polyphagous arthropod pests in temporally unstable cropping systems. Annu Rev Entomol 45:467–493

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Konno K, Hirayama C, Nakamura M, Tateishi K, Tamura Y, Hattori M, Kohno K (2004) Papain protects papaya trees from herbivorous insects: role of cysteine proteases in latex. Plant J 37:370–378

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krips OE, Witul A, Willems PEL, Dicke M (1998) Intrinsic rate of population increase of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae on the ornamental crop gerbera: intraspecific variation in host plant and herbivore. Ent Exp Appl 89:159–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krips OE, Kleijn PW, Willems PEL, Gols GJZ, Dicke M (1999) Leaf hairs influence searching efficiency and predation rate of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Exp Appl Acarol 23:119–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Legrand A, Barbosa P (2003) Plant morphological complexity impacts foraging efficiency of adult of Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Environ Entomol 32:1219–1226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry JA, Croft BA (1997) Life-styles of phytoseiid mites and their roles in biological control. Annu Rev Entomol 42:291–321

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry JA, Rodriguez JG (1987) Nutritional ecology of phytoseiid mites. In: Slansky F, Rodriguez JG (eds) Nutritional ecology of insects, mites, spiders, and related invertebrates. Wiley, New York, pp 609–644

    Google Scholar 

  • Mégevand B, Tanigoshi LK (1995) Effects of prey deprivation on life table attributes of Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark and Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Biol Control 5:73–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moraes GJ (1992) Perspectiva para o uso de predadores no controle de ácaros fitófagos no Brasil. Pesqui Agropecu Bras 27:263–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Moraes GJ, Alencar JA, Lima JLS, Yaninek JS, Delalibera I Jr (1993) Alternative plant habitats for common phytoseiid predators of the cassava green mite (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae) in northeast Brazil. Exp Appl Acarol 17:77–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Moraes GJ, Silva CAD, Moreira AN (1994) Biology of a strain of Neoseiulus idaeus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Southwest Brazil. Exp Appl Acarol 18:213–220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park YL, Lee JH (2005) Impact of twospotted spider mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) on growth and productivity of glasshouse cucumbers. J Econ Entomol 98:457–463

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pratt PD, Rosetta R, Croft BA (2002) Plant-related factors influence the effectiveness of Neoseiulus fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a biological control agent of spider mites on landscape ornamental plants. J Econ Entomol 95:1135–1141

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prischmann DA, Croft BA, Luh HK (2002) Biological control of spider mites on grape by phytoseiid mites (Acari: Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae): emphasis on regional aspects. J Econ Entomol 95:340–347

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roda A, Nyrop J, English-Loeb G, Dicke M (2001) Leaf pubescence and two-spotted spider mite webbing influence phytoseiid behavior and population density. Oecologia 129:551–560

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis MW (1985) Predation on spider mites. In: Hell W, Sabelis MW (eds) Spider mites—their biology, natural enemies and control, vol 1B. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 103–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis MW (1991) Life-history evolution of spider mites. In: Schuster R, Murphy PW (eds) The Acari: reproduction, development and life-history strategies. Chapman & Hall, London, pp 23–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis MW, Van Baalen M, Bakker FM, Bruin J, Drukker B, Egas M, Janssen ARM, Lesna IK, Pels B, Van Rijn PCJ, Scutareanu P (1999) The evolution of direct and indirect plant defence against herbivorous arthropods. In: Olff H, Brown VK, Drent RH (eds) Herbivores: between plants and predators. Blackwell, Oxford, pp 109–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Santa-Cecília LVC, Reis PR (1986) Pragas do mamoeiro. Inf Agropec 12:49–52

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute (1985) SAS user’s guide: statistics, version 5th edn. SAS Institute, Cary, NC

  • Skirvin D, de Courcy Williams M (1999) Differential effects of plant species on a mite pest (Tetranychus urticae) and its predator (Phytoseiulus persimilis): implications for biological control. Exp Appl Acarol 23:497–512

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skirvin DJ, Fenlon JS (2001) Plant species modifies the functional response of Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae): implications for biological control. Bull Entomol Res 91:61–67

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vantornhout I, Minnaert HL, Tirry L, De Clercq P (2004) Effect of pollen, natural prey and factitious prey on the development of Iphiseius degenerans. BioControl 49:627–644

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venzon M, Janssen A, Sabelis MW (2001) Prey preference, intraguild predation and population dynamics of an arthropod food web on plants. Exp Appl Acarol 25:785–808

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe MA, Moraes GJ, Gastaldo I Jr, Nicolella G (1994) Controle biológico do ácaro rajado com ácaros predadores fitoseídeos (Acari: Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae) em culturas de pepino e morango. Sci Agric 51:75–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson LJ (1993) Spider-mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) affect yield and fiber quality of cotton. J Econ Entomol 86:566–585

    Google Scholar 

  • Yaninek JS, Mégevand B, Moraes GJ, Bakker F, Braun A, Herren HR (1991) Establishment of the neotropical predator Amblyseius idaeus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Benin, West Africa. Biocontrol Sci Tech 1:323–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

To Fundação Estadual do Norte Fluminense (FENORTE) for the partial financial support to develop this research and for the DS scholarship granted to the first author. To CNPq and Osvaldo K. Yamanishi (UnB), coordinator of the Integrated Production of Papaya Program, also for funding this research. To Gilberto J. Moraes (ESALQ/USP) for the mite identifications. To CNPq for grants received by the co-authors. To the three anonymous reviewers for their comments that greatly improved this manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fundação Universidade Regional de Gurupi, 77410-470, Gurupi, TO, Brazil

    Karin F. S. Collier

  2. Laboratório de Entomologia e Fitopatologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Av Alberto Lamego 2000, 28013-602, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil

    Gilberto S. Albuquerque & José O. G. de Lima

  3. Departamento de Biologia Animal/Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil

    Angelo Pallini & Adrián J. Molina-Rugama

Authors
  1. Karin F. S. Collier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gilberto S. Albuquerque
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. José O. G. de Lima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Angelo Pallini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Adrián J. Molina-Rugama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gilberto S. Albuquerque.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Collier, K.F.S., Albuquerque, G.S., de Lima, J.O.G. et al. Neoseiulus idaeus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a potential biocontrol agent of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) in papaya: performance on different prey stage – host plant combinations. Exp Appl Acarol 41, 27–36 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-006-9041-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-006-9041-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation