The shake and wash technique (samples placed in a jar with alcohol added and shaken to remove the mites) was effective in removing 100% of the predator mites, and adult spruce spider mites from Douglas-fir foliage and 98% of the spruce spider mite nymphs. Eighty-eight percent of the spruce spider mite eggs was removed. This technique was considered efficient for removal of spruce spider mite and its predators from Douglas-fir foliage. Sodium hypochlorite (0.84%) added to the alcohol did not increase the number of spruce spider mites or phytoseiid mites removed from the foliage. The intracanopy distribution of spruce spider mite and its predator mites was studied on Douglas-fir Christmas trees in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. When overwintering spruce spider mite egg densities populations were low (<5 eggs/19 cm of stem), significantly more eggs were found on the current season's growth. No significant differences were found between top and bottom halves of the tree or between compass directions. Differences between current and previous season's growth were not found when egg densities were high (>40 eggs/19 cm of stem), but significant differences were found between levels for current season's growth with more eggs found in the upper portion of the canopy. Quadri-directional differences did not exist with either low or high mite populations. Sampling tip or basal stem-halves with low overwintering egg populations did not bias population estimates. Heavy spring rainfall appeared to reduce mite populations as has been reported elsewhere by washing them off the tree and causing increased mortality. Spruce spider mite disperse to the current season's growth shortly after budbreak. Population density rapidly increased in late May and then abruptly declined in mid-July. / Graduation date: 1991

Ph.D. / A number of aspects which might influence the buildup of spider mites on cotton were investigated. In contrast to their numbers on cotton treated with some of the insecticides used to control Heliothis arrniaer (Hübner) in field trials, the numbers of spider mites remained very low in the unsprayed cotton. Predators such as especially the pirate bug, Onus thniroborus (Hesse) appear to play an important role in maintaining mites in untreated plots at low population levels. Predator numbers were significantly reduced by some of the insecticides used. It is, however, not yet clear how the predator complex as a whole affects mite numbers ...

Host-plant resistance is an important component of integrated pest management. Host resistance to phytophagous insects and mites based on chemical and morphological characteristics has been identified in various agronomic crops. The present study was undertaken to examine how variation in selected morphological and chemical characteristics of beach strawberry Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Duchesne affects population parameters of the twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. The results from this study show that clones of F. chiloensis and the cultivar "Totem" vary in suitability for the twospotted spider mite. Selected clones of F. chiloensis and the cultivar "Totem" differed also in the following foliar characteristics: densities of glandular and nonglandular trichomes and concentrations of total and catechol-based phenolics. In contrast, qualitative analysis of phenolic compounds, determined via HPLC, revealed a close similarity between F. chiloensis and F. x ananassa (cultivated strawberry) and among selected clones of F. chiloensis. Mite oviposition was negatively correlated with densities of glandular and nonglandular trichomes and concentrations of total foliar phenolics. In spite of these significant relationships, mite oviposition was best predicted by a combination of interacting plant characteristics rather than by any individual characteristic. Entrapment by sticky exudates from glandular trichomes appears to explain the negative relationship between mite survival and density of glandular trichomes. Spider mite development was negatively related to concentrations of foliar phenolics; twospotted spider mite development is delayed on leaves with high concentrations of phenolics. The correlation between mite development and foliar phenolics was greater when catechol-based phenolics were used. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Historically, most twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, infestations occurred during the late season near maturity, but since 2005, infestations of cotton have become more common throughout the entire season. Several factors may have contributed to the increasing frequency of mites in seedling cotton, one of which is a shift in production practices from furrow applied aldicarb to neonicotinoid seed treatments for thrips control. Another factor that may impact T. urticae densities in seedling cotton is a shift from pre-plant tillage to conservation tillage or no-till cropping systems. Although the literature confirms that T. urticae can cause extensive cotton yield losses, there is a need to further refine potential late-season yield loss. From 2007 to 2009 a series of experiments were conducted to address these issues. In a series of 12 field experiments, neonicotinoid seed treatments resulted in twospotted spider mite densities greater than those in the untreated check, aldicarb, and acephate treatments. Untreated check and aldicarb treatments had the lowest mite densities. Only aldicarb controlled mites compared to the untreated check. A twospotted spider mite host survey determined that henbit, Lamium amplexicaule L., was the most consistent and preferred host. Carolina geranium, Geranium carolinianum L., cutleaf geranium, Geranium dissectum L., vetch, Vicia spp., volunteer soybean, Glycine max L., purple deadnettle, Lamium purpureum L., and spiny sowthistle, Sonchus asper (L.) Hill, were other frequently infested dicotyledonous species. Herbicide burndown timing in reduced tillage cotton production was not critical, given all weeds were killed before cotton was planted. The herbicide glufosinate was efficacious against T. urticae, providing control equal to low- to mid-rates of labeled acaricides. Including glufosinate in a herbicide burndown program was only beneficial for mite control if living weeds were present at planting. Artificial infestation experiments were adversely affected by unseasonably wet and cool weather. Infestations established at the third true leaf resulted in an average yield loss of 44.7%. It is difficult to make any conclusions about infestations made from first bloom and later because of the difficulty in establishing mite populations later in the season.

Master of Science / Department of Entomology / Larry L. Buschman, Lawrent Buschman / This study evaluated whether using a cover crop with corn would increase the threat from spider mites in western Kansas because cover crops may serve as a winter host. This study also evaluated whether a cover crop could affect corn rootworm and other ground dwelling arthropods in the cornfield. In the first study, downy brome, Bromus tectorum L., was used as the winter cover crop. There were two trials repeated for three years each. Each trial included: two amounts of irrigation, downy brome, and herbicide to control weeds. In the first trial there were no significant differences in corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera LeConte, damage across treatments, because there were no differences in brome residue across the treatments. In the second trial, corn rootworm damage was significantly more in plots with higher amounts of downy brome residue. There were no differences in numbers of spider mites: Banks grass mites, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks) or twospotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch, across treatments. Spider mite populations appeared to be suppressed by the predatory mite Neoseiulus spp., which also overwintered in the cover crop. Corn rootworm samples taken from a no-till irrigation experiment were variable among irrigation treatments but indicated a trend for rootworm damage to increase with increasing irrigation. In the second study, winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., was used as the winter cover crop. There were three trials repeated for three years each. Each trial included two amounts of irrigation and winter wheat and three amounts of herbicide to control weeds. Upon completion of the agronomy trials, the plots were split into two subplots and one was tilled. Pitfall traps were installed to capture ground dwelling arthropods: (Coleoptera: Carabidae), wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) and crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Four carabid genera were more common under no-till conditions. One was more common in tilled plots. Five carabid genera were more common in plots with a history of high weed densities. Two carabid genera were more numerous in plots with the history of a cover crop. Crickets were more common under no-till conditions. Wolf spiders were more common in no tillage with a history of a cover crop.

No description available.

[ES] El ácaro de Texas, Eutetranychus banksi McGregor, es nativo de América y está ampliamente distribuido por el cultivo de cítricos de este continente. En 2013, esta especie se detectó en el sur de la provincia de Valencia, afectando a la principal zona citrícola de España. El ácaro produce graves daños reduciendo la fotosíntesis, causando defoliación y decoloración de los frutos, lo que podría afectar a su valor económico. En primer lugar, este trabajo evaluó el impacto ecológico producido por la especie invasora sobre las especies de ácaros tetraníquidos residentes en los cítricos valencianos Panonychus citri (McGregor) y Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein). Desde su llegada en 2013, E. banksi se ha convertido en el tetraníquido más frecuente y abundante en cítricos desplazando competitivamente a las otras especies, reduciendo su presencia y distribución geográfica, a su vez influenciada por su historia de colonización. En segundo lugar, este trabajo estudió la distribución dentro del árbol y las tendencias estacionales de la plaga y de los ácaros fitoseidos asociados, que pueden contribuir a su control. El ácaro de Texas se alimentó principalmente en la cara adaxial (haz) de las hojas en la periferia de la copa del árbol, mostrando un único pico de población a finales de verano-principios de otoño, mientras que los fitoseidos prefirieron la cara abaxial (envés) de las hojas del interior de la copa, mostrando dos picos, uno principal en primavera y otro menos abundante en otoño. Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) fue el fitoseido más frecuente y abundante, y cuando E. banksi aumentó se desplazó a las caras adaxiales de las hojas de la parte exterior de la copa y los frutos para alimentarse de su presa, cambiando su coloración de blanco a marrón rojizo evidenciando su contribución al control biológico de la plaga. Sin embargo, no fue capaz de mantener las poblaciones de E. banksi bajo densidades tolerables debido a la desfavorable relación depredador/presa que existe en verano y principios de otoño. En tercer lugar, este trabajo pretendió describir la estructura de población del ácaro de Texas y definir un plan de muestreo. Existieron diferencias en la estructura de edad en frutos y hojas, así como entre hojas de diferentes brotes. Además, a lo largo del tiempo se observaron fluctuaciones en su composición correlacionadas con variaciones en la proporción de sexos. No se observaron diferencias de agregación entre estratos vegetales, pero sí entre estadios inmaduros y adultos, siendo las hembras las menos agregadas. La alta correlación de la población total con las formas móviles y las hembras permitió utilizar ambas como estadio de referencia para el desarrollo del plan de muestreo, estableciendo un muestreo de presencia/ausencia de 100 hojas para las hembras o 400 hojas para las formas móviles. Finalmente, un ácaro fitoseido recientemente descrito, Neoseiulus madeirensis Papadoulis & Kapaxidi, se encontró asociado a E. banksi, sugiriendo que podría ser un candidato prometedor para su control biológico. En cuarto lugar, este trabajo pretendió evaluar el potencial de este depredador para controlar las poblaciones de la plaga. Neoseiulus madeirensis mostró un rápido desarrollo y altas tasas de supervivencia y reproducción alimentándose de E. banksi. El depredador se alimentó principalmente de estadios inmaduros, siendo los huevos el estadio preferido, y mostrando una respuesta funcional de tipo II para todos los estadios de presa ensayados, que se estabilizó a altas densidades de presa con una elevada puesta de huevos. Los valores de supervivencia, reproducción y depredación han sido los mejores obtenidos hasta el momento para cualquier fitoseido ensayado previamente contra E. banksi, lo convierte en un candidato idóneo para el desarrollo de un programa de control biológico basado en sueltas aumentativas, o en la importación con vistas al establecimiento de poblaciones permanentes en cítricos. / [CA] L'àcar de Texas, Eutetranychus banksi McGregor, és nadiu d' Amèrica i està àmpliament distribuït pel cultiu de cítrics d'aquest continent. El 2013, esta espècie es va detectar al sud de la província de València, afectant la principal zona citrícola d'Espanya. L'àcar produeix greus danys reduint la fotosíntesi, causant defoliació i decoloració dels fruits, cosa que podria afectar el seu valor econòmic. En primer lloc, aquest treball va avaluar l'impacte ecològic produït per l'espècie invasora sobre les espècies d'àcars tetraníquids residents als cítrics valencians Panonychus citri (McGregor) i Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein). Des de la seva arribada el 2013, E. banksi s'ha convertit en el tetraníquid més freqüent i abundant en cítrics desplaçant competitivament les altres espècies, reduint la seva presència i distribució geogràfica, alhora influenciat per la seva història de colonització. En segon lloc, aquest treball va estudiar la distribució dins de l'arbre i les tendències estacionals de la plaga i dels àcars fitoseids associats, que poden contribuir al seu control. L'àcar de Texas es va alimentar principalment en la cara adaxial (fes) de les fulles a la perifèria de la copa de l'arbre, mostrant un únic pic de població a finals d'estiu-principis de tardor, mentre que els fitoseids van preferir la cara abaxial (revers) de les fulles de l'interior de la copa, mostrant dos pics, un de principal a la primavera i un altre menys abundant a la tardor. Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) va ser el fitoseid més freqüent i abundant, i quan E. banksi va augmentar es va desplaçar a les cares adaxials de les fulles de la part exterior de la copa i els fruits per alimentar-se de la presa, canviant la seva coloració de blanc a marró vermellós evidenciant la seva contribució al control biològic de la plaga. Tot i això, no va ser capaç de mantenir les poblacions d'E. banksi sota densitats tolerables a causa de la desfavorable relació depredador/presa que hi ha a l'estiu i principis de tardor. En tercer lloc, aquest treball va voler descriure l'estructura de població de l'àcar de Texas i definir un pla de mostreig. Hi hagué diferències en l'estructura d'edat de fruits i fulles, així com entre fulles de diferents brots. A més, al llarg del temps es van observar fluctuacions en la composició correlacionades amb variacions en la proporció de sexes. No es van observar diferències d'agregació entre estrats vegetals, però sí entre estadis immadurs i adults, sent les femelles les menys agregades. L'alta correlació de la població total amb les formes mòbils i les femelles va permetre utilitzar totes dues com a estadi de referència per al desenvolupament del pla de mostreig, establint un mostreig de presència/absència de 100 fulls per a les femelles o 400 fulls per a les formes mòbils. Finalment, una espècie fitoseid recentment descrit, Neoseiulus madeirensis Papadoulis & Kapaxidi, es va trobar associat a E. banksi, suggerint que podria ser un candidat prometedor per al seu control biològic. En quart lloc, aquest treball va voler avaluar el potencial d'aquest depredador per controlar les poblacions de la plaga. Neoseiulus madeirensis va mostrar un desenvolupament ràpid i altes taxes de supervivència i reproducció alimentant-se d'E. banksi. El depredador es va alimentar principalment d'estadis immadurs, sent els ous l'estadi preferit, i mostrant una resposta funcional de tipus II per a tots els estadis de presa assajats, que es va estabilitzar a altes densitats de presa amb una posta d'ous elevada. Els valors de supervivencia, depredació i reproducció han estat els millors obtinguts fins ara per a qualsevol espècie de fitoseid assajat prèviament contra E. banksi, cosa que el converteix en un candidat idoni per al desenvolupament d'un programa de control biològic basat en soltes augmentatives, o en la importació amb vista a l'establiment de poblacions permanents en cítrics. / [EN] The Texas citrus mite, Eutetranychus banksi McGregor, is native to the Americas and widely distributed across this continent. In 2013 it was detected in the south of the province of Valencia, affecting the main citrus-growing area in Spain. The mite produces severe damage, reducing photosynthesis, causing defoliation, and producing a lack in fruit pigmentation, which could affect its economic value. Firstly, this work evaluated the ecological impact produced by the invasive species on the resident spider mites Panonychus citri (McGregor) and Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein). Since its arrival in 2013, E. banksi has become the most frequent and abundant spider mite on citrus, competitively displacing the other species and reducing their presence and geographic range, which is influenced by its colonisation history. Secondly, this work studies the within-tree distribution and seasonal trends of the pest and associated phytoseiid mites, which may contribute to its control. The Texas citrus mite was feeding mainly on the adaxial (upper) side of leaves in the periphery of the tree canopy showing a single population peak in late summer-early autumn, while phytoseiids preferred the abaxial (lower) sides inside the canopy showing two peaks, a main spring peak and a second, less abundant, in autumn. Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) was the most frequent and abundant phytoseiid, and when E. banksi increased, it moved to the adaxial sides on outer leaves and fruits to feed on its prey and changed its colouring from white to reddish-brown, evidencing its contribution to biological pest control. However, it was not capable of maintaining E. banksi populations under tolerable densities due to the unfavourable predator/prey ratios in summer and early autumn. Thirdly, this work aimed to describe the pest population structure and define a sampling plan. There were differences in the age structure on fruits and leaves, as well as between leaves from different flushes. Furthermore, over time, there were fluctuations in its composition correlated with variations in sex-ratio. No aggregation differences among plant strata were found, but there were significant differences between immature and adult stages, the females being the less aggregated. The high correlation of the total population with the motile forms and females allowed the use of both as a reference stage in the sampling plan, establishing a presence/absence sampling of 100 leaves for females or 400 leaves for motile forms. Finally, a recently described phytoseiid mite, Neoseiulus madeirensis Papadoulis & Kapaxidi, was found to be associated with E. banksi, suggesting that it could be a promising candidate for pest suppression. Fourthly, this work aimed to evaluate the potential of this predator to control pest populations. Neoseiulus madeirensis exhibited a short developmental time, high survival and reproductive rates feeding on E. banksi. The predator was fed mainly on immature stages, with eggs being the preferred stage, showing a type II functional response for all the prey stages tested, that stabilises at high prey densities with high egg laying. Survival, predation and reproduction values were the best obtained so far for any phytoseiid previously tested against E. banksi, making it a suitable candidate for the development of a biological control program based on augmentative releases, or importation aiming for the establishment of permanent populations on citrus. / López Olmos, S. (2023). Towards the Integrated Management of the Texas Citrus Mite Eutetranychus Banksi (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Spain [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/201554

Plant-feeding mites represent major pests in agriculture that are of importance to crops world-wide, as large populations of mites reduce the quality and quantity of yields. Alternatives to the use of pesticides are needed due to their negative effects and bio-control agents (predatory mites) remain advantages as they suppress spider mites and other plant pests. This study aims to determine species status of plant-feeding and predatory mites on plants of the family Solanaceae and to apply morphological and molecular data to determine phylogenetic relationships among economically important Phytoseiidae, Stigmaeidae and Tetranychidae. The material for this study was collected through plant beating and specimens were preserved in 75% and 96% ethanol respectively and mounted in Heinz’s PVA medium on microscope slides. A survey was conducted during peak seasons to provide enough samples of pest and predatory species. Morphological analysis was performed and initial results indicate that 94% of the species identified were parasitic and 6% were predatory, which led to a predator:prey ratio of 1:17, where Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard had the highest frequency of appearance. A modified Qiagen DNeasy tissue kit extraction protocol was used and Polymerase Chain Reaction was performed to amplify ribosomal ITS and mitochondrial COI gene fragments. The nucleotide sequence of a 700-bp fragment for ITS was determined by direct sequencing as well as for a 700-bp and 800-bp fragments for COI. The resulting data included 4 isolates that corresponded morphologically and molecularly with Phytoseiidae and 10 with Stigmaeidae. The phylogenetic trees agreed with the morphological data. For species that lack morphological descriptions in GenBank and are not placed within expected clades, one has to accept the possibility of miss identification and highlights the need to combine morphological and molecular approaches to guarantee solid species diagnosis. Ultimately, Solanaceae contain various parasitic mites, but predators seem low in numbers. This could be problamatic in finding effective bio-control agents. / MSc (Zoology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Plant-feeding mites represent major pests in agriculture that are of importance to crops world-wide, as large populations of mites reduce the quality and quantity of yields. Alternatives to the use of pesticides are needed due to their negative effects and bio-control agents (predatory mites) remain advantages as they suppress spider mites and other plant pests. This study aims to determine species status of plant-feeding and predatory mites on plants of the family Solanaceae and to apply morphological and molecular data to determine phylogenetic relationships among economically important Phytoseiidae, Stigmaeidae and Tetranychidae. The material for this study was collected through plant beating and specimens were preserved in 75% and 96% ethanol respectively and mounted in Heinz’s PVA medium on microscope slides. A survey was conducted during peak seasons to provide enough samples of pest and predatory species. Morphological analysis was performed and initial results indicate that 94% of the species identified were parasitic and 6% were predatory, which led to a predator:prey ratio of 1:17, where Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard had the highest frequency of appearance. A modified Qiagen DNeasy tissue kit extraction protocol was used and Polymerase Chain Reaction was performed to amplify ribosomal ITS and mitochondrial COI gene fragments. The nucleotide sequence of a 700-bp fragment for ITS was determined by direct sequencing as well as for a 700-bp and 800-bp fragments for COI. The resulting data included 4 isolates that corresponded morphologically and molecularly with Phytoseiidae and 10 with Stigmaeidae. The phylogenetic trees agreed with the morphological data. For species that lack morphological descriptions in GenBank and are not placed within expected clades, one has to accept the possibility of miss identification and highlights the need to combine morphological and molecular approaches to guarantee solid species diagnosis. Ultimately, Solanaceae contain various parasitic mites, but predators seem low in numbers. This could be problamatic in finding effective bio-control agents. / MSc (Zoology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aims of this study were to develop a detailed record of the tetranychid mites of Kenya and Tanzania, to assess the diversity of tetranychid mites in the east African biodiversity hotspots and to determine female characters that can be used to identify the species of the economically important Tetranychus species found in these countries. The genetic diversity of the most abundant Tetranychus species (Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard) was also assessed. The Tetranychidae (Acari) contain some of the most important pest species of phytophagous mites worldwide. Out of the almost 1,300 species in this family, 256 species are known to occur in Africa. Before this study, ten species had been reported from Kenya and only three in Tanzania. The genus Tetranychus to which most of the pest species belongs to, can only be identified to species level by the use of the male aedeagus that is often difficult to visualize. The natural habitat, the Eastern Arc Mountains and East African Coastal Forests in Kenya and Tanzania is recognized as biodiversity hotspots but prior to his study, information on Tetranychidae in these hotspots was lacking. Thus, no information on the natural mite fauna composition was available. In Kenya, 18 tetranychid mite species from various plant hosts have been recorded. Four of these species belong to the subfamily Bryobiinae and the other 14 to the subfamily Tetranychinae. Eight of the mite species identified belong to the genera Bryobia, Petrobia, Peltanobia, Paraplonobia, Duplanychus, Eutetranychus and Mixonychus and are being reported for the first time in Kenya while the other ten had already been reported before. For Tanzania, six species belonging to the genera Tetranychus, Eutetranychus and Mixonychus are being reported for the first time from Tanzania and other three had been reported before. A list of these species, their brief descriptions as well as a key for identification is provided. A redescription of Peltanobia erasmusi including previously undescribed male characters is given. Schizotetranychus kwalensis sp. nov. from Kenya and Brevinychus meshacki from Tanzania were collected on Omorcarpum kirkii (Fabaceae) from Matuga, Kwale district, Kenya and Philonoptera eriocalyx (Fabaceae) from Sangasanga, Mvomero district, Tanzania respectively and described. Revised keys of Brevinychus and of the African species of Schizotetranychus are also provided. Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard ranked highest in abundance amongst all the tetranychid mites collected. It was found in four out of five fragments of the hotspot, and it survives in a wide range of altitudes from as low as 123 m to 1655 m. Molecular examination of T. evansi collected from Kenya and Tanzania and on different host plants revealed an identical DNA sequence of the mitochondrial COI fragment and 19 identical microsatellite alleles suggesting a single introduction of this species to this part of East Africa. Female characters of four Tetranychus species found in Kenya were explored using the scanning electron microscope. Differences in the distances between the duplex setae of species belonging to the desertorum group (Tetranychus evansi Baker & Pritchard and Tetranychus ludeni Zacher) and those grouped by Flechtmann and Knihinicki (2002) under group 9 (Tetranychus neocaledonicus Andre and Tetranychus urticae Koch) were observed. The dorsal striae of T. evansi, T. neocaledonicus and T. urticae have semicircular lobes whereas those on the dorsal striae of T. ludeni are triangular. / Thesis (PhD (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.