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Phytoseiids in Washington commercial apple orchards: biodiversity and factors affecting abundance

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Abstract

Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) is an important biological control agent of spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Washington apple orchards. It was thought to be essentially the sole phytoseiid existing in this system, due in part to its resistance to commonly used orchard pesticides, and organophosphates in particular. To test this assumption, we conducted a survey of 102 commercial apple blocks in Washington to characterize the community of phytoseiid species. Seven phytoseiid species were found in our samples; G. occidentalis and Amblydromella caudiglans (Schuster) were found in the greatest abundance. We hypothesized that the gradual shift away from the use of organophosphates in recent decades may have caused the change in phytoseiid community structure. The survey data and information regarding the management, location, and surrounding habitat of each block were used to determine what factors affect phytoseiid abundances. Galendromus occidentalis abundance was positively affected by the use of conventional (vs. organic) spray programs, and the use of the acaricide bifenazate. Amblydromella caudiglans abundance was negatively affected by bifenazate use and positively affected by herbicide strip weediness; it was also less prevalent in ‘Golden Delicious’ blocks compared to other cultivars. These results indicate that A. caudiglans reaches higher abundances in orchards that lack certain agricultural disturbances, whereas G. occidentalis can survive in more disturbed environments. Surveys of this nature can provide valuable insight to potential drivers of community structure, allowing for the improvement of integrated pest management programs that incorporate conservation of newly recognized biological control agents such as A. caudiglans.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the expertise of Jim McMurtry for confirmation of identifications, and Bahman Shafii and Bill Price for statistical consultation. We thank the cooperating growers and orchard pest consultants who answered survey questions and allowed us to sample their orchards. We also thank technicians Kaitlin Parsons, Jordan Takasugi, David Gutierrez, Mattie Warner, Allie Carnline, Bruce Greenfield, Alix Whitener, Shayla White, Alyssa White, and Ben Peterson. This work was funded in part by grants from the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and the Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration.

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  1. Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, 1100 N. Western Ave., Wenatchee, WA, 98801, USA

    Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris & Elizabeth H. Beers

  2. Department of Entomology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA

    David W. Crowder

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  1. Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris
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  2. Elizabeth H. Beers
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Correspondence to Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris.

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Schmidt-Jeffris, R.A., Beers, E.H. & Crowder, D.W. Phytoseiids in Washington commercial apple orchards: biodiversity and factors affecting abundance. Exp Appl Acarol 67, 21–34 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-015-9927-y

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