Abstract
The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), was recently introduced in the Americas. It spread quickly throughout coconut palm growing areas, expanding considerably its host range. The invasion of this species has caused high economic impact in several countries. In Brazil, extensive areas are expected to be affected. For logistical reasons and other concerns, chemical control does not seem desirable for the control of this pest in most Latin American countries. Biological control of R. indica by introducing exotic natural enemies seems to be an important control measure to be considered. Surveys in many countries have shown that Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a very common predator on coconut palms. This study compared the biology of a population of A. largoensis found for a long time in association with R. indica in La Reunion Island (Indian Ocean) with a population from Roraima State (northern Brazil), where R. indica was first found about two and a half years ago. No significant differences were observed between populations in relation to the duration of different immature stages or total survivorship. However, the oviposition period, prey consumption and net reproductive rate were significantly higher for the La Reunion population, warranting further investigation to determine whether that population should be released in Roraima to control the pest.
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Acknowledgments
We thank the Centre de Coopération Internationale em Recherche Agronomique pour Le Développement (CIRAD) for the logistical support in obtaining the population from La Reunion. We also thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the Coordination of Personnel Improvement for Higher Education (CAPES), the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa-Roraima) and the Foundation for Science and Technology of the State of Pernambuco (FACEPE) for logistical and financial support. Finally, we are grateful to Serge Kreiter and Tatiane Marie Martins Gomes de Castro for their assistance in the collection.
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Domingos, C.A., Oliveira, L.O., de Morais, E.G.F. et al. Comparison of two populations of the pantropical predator Amblyseius largoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) for biological control of Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae). Exp Appl Acarol 60, 83–93 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-012-9625-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-012-9625-y