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Seasonal climatic variations influence the efficacy of predatory mites used for control of western flower thrips in greenhouse ornamental crops

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Abstract

The influence of seasonal greenhouse climate on the efficacy of predatory mites for thrips control was determined for potted chrysanthemum. Trials in controlled environment chambers, small-scale greenhouses and commercial greenhouses were conducted to determine which biological control agent—that is, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot or Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans)—is more efficacious for control of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), in different seasons. Under simulated summer conditions, no differences were observed in the predation and oviposition rates of both predatory mites in the laboratory trials. However, small-scale greenhouse trials showed that A. swirskii performed better than N. cucumeris in summer (i.e., more efficacious thrips control, higher predator abundance and less overall damage to the crop). Under simulated winter conditions, laboratory trials demonstrated variable differences in predation rates of the two predatory mites. The small-scale greenhouse trials in winter showed no differences in thrips control and predatory mite abundance between the two predatory mites, but plants with A. swirskii had less damage overall. The results from the small-scale trials were validated and confirmed in commercial greenhouse trials. Overall, A. swirskii performed better in the summer and equally good or better (less damage overall) under winter conditions, whereas N. cucumeris is a more cost effective biological control agent for winter months.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the technical assistance provided by staff at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, School of Environmental Sciences - University of Guelph, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Boekestyn Greenhouses and Meyers Farms for use of their greenhouses and the three anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions on the manuscript. Funding for this project was provided by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Growing Forward ‘Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Research and Innovation Cluster’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada

    Laura C. Hewitt & Cynthia Scott-Dupree

  2. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Harrow, ON, N0R 1G0, Canada

    Les Shipp

  3. Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Vineland Station, ON, L0R 2E0, Canada

    Rose Buitenhuis

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  1. Laura C. Hewitt
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  2. Les Shipp
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Correspondence to Les Shipp.

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Hewitt, L.C., Shipp, L., Buitenhuis, R. et al. Seasonal climatic variations influence the efficacy of predatory mites used for control of western flower thrips in greenhouse ornamental crops. Exp Appl Acarol 65, 435–450 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-014-9861-4

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