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Evaluation of the predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus, for spider mite control on greenhouse sweet pepper under hot arid field conditions

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Abstract

The efficacy of Neoseiulus californicus (a generalist predatory mite) for the biological control of Tetranychus urticae, was compared to release of Phytoseiulus persimilis (a specialist predatory mite) and an acaricide treatment in sweet pepper plants grown in greenhouse tunnels in a hot and arid climate. To ensure uniform pest populations, spider mites were spread on pepper plants in two seasons; a natural infestation occurred in one season. Predators were released prophylactically and curatively in separate tunnels when plants were artificially infested with spider mites, and at low and moderate spider mite populations when infestations occurred naturally. Although spider mite populations did not establish well the first year, fewer spider mites were recovered with release of N. californicus than with all other treatments. In the second year, spider mites established and the prophylactic release of N. californicus compared favorably with the acaricide-treated plants. In the course of monitoring arthropod populations, we observed a significant reduction in western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) populations in tunnels treated with N. californicus as compared with non-treated control tunnels. Our field trials validate results obtained from potted-plant experiments and confirm that N. californicus is a superior spider mite predator at high temperatures and low humidities.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Becky Chercasky, Sophia Kleitman, and Rafi Mori for technical assistance, Yael Argov for rearing N. californicus, and Hillary Voets for assistance with statistical analysis. This research was funded by a grant from the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Agriculture of Israel, and by a grant from the European Commission, contract COOP-CT-2004-508090 EUROMITE. This paper is a contribution from the Agricultural Research Organization, Institute of Plant Protection, Bet Dagan, Israel.

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  1. Department of Entomology, Gilat Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Ministry of Agriculture, D.N. Negev, 85280, Israel

    P. Weintraub

  2. Department of Entomology, Newe Ya’ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO), Ministry of Agriculture, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay, 30095, Israel

    E. Palevsky

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  1. P. Weintraub
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  2. E. Palevsky
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Correspondence to P. Weintraub.

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Weintraub, P., Palevsky, E. Evaluation of the predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus, for spider mite control on greenhouse sweet pepper under hot arid field conditions. Exp Appl Acarol 45, 29–37 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-008-9169-3

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