The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), has been considered an important pest on coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) in the New World. Several studies have been conducted to understand the ecology of this mite, aiming at its control. The search for effective natural enemies to control R. indica has been considered a priority to reduce its importance in areas where it has been newly reported, with special attention to predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae. Little has been published about the phytoseiid fauna of Thailand, where R. indica has been found at low population levels, perhaps due to the action of natural enemies. The general objective of this thesis was to select promising predatory mites in Thailand (Bangkok and Kamphaeng Saen) to control R. indica on coconut palms in Brazil, to introduce them and to conduct an initial evaluation of their efficiency. Initially, a list of the phytoseiid mites until then reported from Thailand and a taxonomic key to help in their separation were prepared. Thirty two phytoseiid species were known from Thailand before this study; seven new records were presented. The predatory mite fauna associated with R. indica in the central region of Thailand and their population dynamics were assessed. Phytoseiidae was the predatory family most frequently found on coconut and lady palm, Rhapis excelsa (Thunb.) A. Henry, although at low levels (maximum of 0.003 specimens/ cm2 on coconut and 0.008 specimens/ cm2 on lady palm). Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) was the most abundant predator in both sites and on both hosts, except on coconut in Bangkok, which the most abundant was Euseius nicholsi (Ehara & Lee). The levels of R. indica were very low (maximum of 0.03 specimens/ cm2 on coconut and 0.48 specimens/ cm2 on lady palm), compared to what have been reported in other parts of the world. The direct effect of rainfall on the population of R. indica on coconut seedlings in Thailand was evaluated. The results suggested that rainfall reduces considerably the population of R. indica, mainly when the accumulated precipitation in 15 days was over 100 mm. A new mite genus and species of Blattisociidae collected on coconut flowers in Thailand were described. The performances of two predatory mite populations introduced from Thailand, a population previously introduced from La Reunion and a population native from Roraima, Brazil, were compared in relation to their effect on the population of R. indica. The efficiency of the predators could not be demonstrated on coconut seedlings, contrasting with what would be expected from their observed behavior in the laboratory. This result could be due to the overexposure of the predators to sunlight on the leaf surface because of the architecture of the seedlings, probably stimulating them to move to more protected microhabitats. On adult coconut plants, in which the abaxial leaf surface is less exposed, the evaluated predators could have a better performance. Further efforts should be dedicated to evaluate this hypothesis. / O ácaro-vermelho-das-palmeiras, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), tem sido considerado uma importante praga em coqueiro (Cocos nucifera L.) no Novo Mundo. Vários estudos têm sido conduzidos para entender a ecologia deste ácaro, visando ao seu controle. A busca de inimigos naturais eficazes para controlar R. indica tem sido considerada uma prioridade para reduzir a sua importância em áreas em áreas em que tem sido recentemente encontrado, com atenção especial aos ácaros predadores da família Phytoseiidae. Pouco tem sido publicado sobre a fauna de fitoseídeos da Tailândia, onde R. indica tem sido encontrado em baixos níveis populacionais, talvez devido à ação de inimigos naturais. O objetivo geral desta tese foi selecionar ácaros predadores promissores na Tailândia (Bangkok e Kamphaeng Saen) para o controle de R. indica em coqueiros no Brasil, introduzi-los e realizar uma avaliação inicial de sua eficiência. Inicialmente, uma lista dos fitoseídeos até então relatados da Tailândia e uma chave taxonômica para ajudar na sua separação foram elaboradas. Trinta e duas espécies de fitoseídeos eram conhecidas da Tailândia antes deste estudo; sete novos registros foram apresentados. Os ácaros predadores associados a R. indica na região central da Tailândia e sua dinâmica populacional foram avaliadas. Phytoseiidae foi a família de predadores mais freqüentemente encontrada em coqueiro e palmeira ráfia [Rhapis excelsa (Thunb.) A. Henry], embora os seus níveis sejam baixos (máximo de 0.003 espécimes/ cm2 em coqueiro e 0.008 espécimes/ cm2 em palmeira ráfia). Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) foi o predador mais abundante em ambos os locais e em ambos hospedeiros, exceto no coqueiro em Bangkok, em que o mais abundante foi Euseius nicholsi (Ehara & Lee). Os níveis de R. indica foram muito baixos (máximo de 0.03 espécimes/ cm2 em coqueiro e 0.48espécimes/ cm2 em palmeira ráfia), em comparação com o que tem sido relatado para outras partes do mundo. O efeito direto da chuva sobre a população de R. indica foi avaliado em mudas de coqueiro na Tailândia. Os resultados sugeriram que a chuva reduz consideravelmente a população de R. indica, principalmente quando a precipitação acumulada em 15 dias foi superior a 100 mm. Um novo gênero e espécie de ácaro da família Blattisociidae coletada em flores de coqueiro na Tailândia foram descritos. Os desempenhos de duas populações de ácaros predadores introduzidos da Tailândia, uma população previamente introduzida de La Reunion e uma população nativa de Roraima, Brasil, foram comparados em relação a seus efeitos sobre a população de R.indica. Não foi demonstrada a eficiência dos predadores em mudas de coqueiro, contrastando com o que era esperado a partir dos comportamentos observados no laboratório. Este resultado poderia ser devido à exposição excessiva dos predadores à luz do sol na superfície das folhas, por causa da arquitetura das mudas, provavelmente estimulando-os a se locomover para microambientes mais protegidos. Em coqueiros adultos, em que a superfície abaxial da folha é menos exposta, os predadores avaliados poderiam ter melhor desempenho. Esforços adicionais deveriam ser dedicados para avaliar esta hipótese.

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.

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Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:30:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 436016 bytes, checksum: 72156ad33ca23312aa5140289d5a3713 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-04-28 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The organic coffee production system needs techniques for handling herbivore populations and that cause low negative effects on the natural enemies. The use of alternative bioprotectors like enriched biofertilizer and phytoprotectors mixtures to replace pesticides in an herbivore management program has been frequent in organic system of coffee production. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three alternative bioprotectors, the biofertilizer Supermagro, lime sulphur and Viçosa mixture (Viça Café Plus®) on the southern red mite Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) and on its predatory mite Iphiseiodes zuluagai (Denmark & Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). It was studied the toxicity and the sublethal effects of the bioprotectors on the instantaneous growth rate (ri) of these mites. The bioprotectors showed larger acute toxicity to O. ilicis than to I. zuluagai. Only lime sulphur had estimated lethal concentration (CL95) with possibility to use in the field to control O. ilicis. The three alternative bioprotectors decreased ri for both species, but I. zuluagai was more affected than O. ilicis. The effectiveness of the alternative bioprotectors was verified for control of O. ilicis in a greenhouse experiment with two concentrations of each product. Lime sulphur treatment (0.104% of calcium polysulfide) and Viça Café Plus® (2%) had higher and lower effectiveness, respectively, while the other treatments had intermediate effectiveness. Therefore, lime sulphur would be suitable to control the southern red mite O. ilicis. The biofertilizer Supermagro and Viçosa mixture (Viça Café Plus®) could be used to supply mineral nutrition of plants. The use of lime sulphur to control O. ilicis must be in a criteriously manner because higher concentrations would be harmful to the predatory mite I. zuluagai. Environmental and biological factors could influence the behavior of herbivores and natural enemies under the use of alternative bioprotectors and could also affect their effectiveness to keep biological control on organic coffee agroecosystem. So, supplementary trials should be done aiming to confirm these results in field conditions. / O sistema de produção orgânica de café requer técnicas para o manejo da população de herbívoros que tenham menor impacto sobre os inimigos naturais. A utilização de biofertilizantes enriquecidos e de caldas fitoprotetoras, como alternativa ao manejo convencional de herbívoros, tem sido freqüente em condições de cultivo orgânico do cafeeiro. Seu uso se deve à manutenção de condições nutricionais adequadas às plantas e ao suposto baixo impacto sobre inimigos naturais de herbívoros. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos de três bioprotetores alternativos, o biofertilizante Supermagro, a calda sulfocálcica e calda Viçosa comercial (Viça Café Plus®), sobre o ácaro herbívoro Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) e o ácaro predador Iphiseiodes zuluagai (Denmark & Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Testes de toxicidade aguda e latente foram realizados para verificar os efeitos letais e subletais dos bioprotetores alternativos sobre essas duas espécies de ácaros. Os bioprotetores apresentaram toxicidade aguda maior para O. ilicis, e somente a concentração letal (CL95) estimada para a calda sulfocálcica apresentou viabilidade de ser utilizada no campo. Os três bioprotetores, utilizados em concentrações subletais, afetaram a taxa instantânea de crescimento populacional (ri) de ambas as espécies, sendo que I. zuluagai teve a ri menor que O. ilicis. A eficiência dos três bioprotetores para o controle de O. ilicis em casa de vegetação foi também verificada, sendo testadas duas concentrações de cada produto. O tratamento com maior eficiência foi a calda sulfocálcica na concentração de 0,104% de polissulfetos de cálcio, enquanto a Viça Café Plus® a 2% foi o de menor eficiência. Os demais tratamentos apresentaram eficiência de controle intermediária. Portanto, dentre os três bioprotetores alternativos, a calda sulfocálcica seria o mais indicado para a finalidade de controlar o ácaro- vermelho do cafeeiro O. ilicis. O biofertilizante Supermagro e a calda Viçosa comercial, ao serem utilizados para o fornecimento de nutrientes às plantas, poderão ter função complementar e auxiliar no controle do ácaro. No entanto, o uso da calda sulfocálcica para o controle populacional de O. ilicis deverá ser de forma criteriosa, de maneira a ter menor impacto sobre o ácaro predador I. zuluagai. Como fatores ambientais e biológicos poderão influenciar a resposta dos herbívoros e dos seus inimigos naturais à aplicação dos bioprotetores alternativos e a sua eficiência, a condução de experimentos em condições de campo poderão ser complementares aos resultados obtidos.

Ph.D. thesis is focused on the study of ecology and interactions among fungal disease horse chestnut leaf blotch, Guignardia aesculi, invasive pest horse chestnut leaf miner, Cameraria ohridella, and predatory mites of family Phytoseiidae. Ph.D. thesis consists of two main parts: 1) a detailed background research, and 2) six separate original published papers or manuscripts describing results of my own studies. The first study investigated spatial distribution of the first generation of C. ohridella in the urban environment in relation to the pest, the mortality of overwintering pupae at the end of vegetation season and the number of hatched C. ohridella and its parasitoids at the beginning of the following vegetation season. The second paper describes the interaction between C. ohridella and G. aesculi during vegetation season. The third and fourth papers deal with the effect of specific microctimatic conditions in site on the damage inflicted to horse chestnut leaves by G. aesculi. In addition, spatial distribution of G. aesculi in urban environment was studied. The fifth paper compared the species composition and the population density of Phytoseiidae between the Czech Republic and Greece. The sixth study described the species composition, abundance, population dynamics and sex ratio of phytoseiid mites inhabiting horse chestnut. The study also investigated, whether the abundance of predatory mites on horse chestnut leaves can be influenced by leaf damage caused by the horse chestnut leaf miner or G. aesculi during vegetation season.

Tesis por compendio / [EN] Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a new citrus pest in the Mediterranean basin. Nymphs of P. kellyanus refuge and feed on the surface of young fruitlets. This feeding habit causes rings of tissue scar around the apex as fruit mature and leads to economic losses because of the reduced market value of the affected fruit. Despite the worldwide distribution and economic importance of P. kellyanus, its biological control is still under development and chemical control is the only alternative for growers. In order to improve the integrated management of P. kellyanus we determined the seasonal trend of P. kellyanus nymphs during the period in which the young fruitlets are sensitive to thrips damage. We studied the diurnal distribution of ¿rst and second generation P. kellyanus nymphs, as well as, the spatial distribution within the tree of the nymphs and damages. These results will improve the sampling protocols and the insecticide applications. The seasonal trend (number of generations attacking the fruit) and damages of P. kellyanus nymphs depended on the orchards and years. This result emphasizes the importance of sampling weekly from petal until six weeks later. Furthermore, according to the data obtained, when there is a second generation of P. kellyanus nymphs, this is generally more damaging. Pezothrips kellyanus nymphs showed a clear preference for fruit located at the top of the trees, which coincided with the highest percentage of damaged fruit in this area. P. kellyanus nymphs were uniformly distributed and the cardinal directions and time of day does not seem to be an important factor to develop a sampling plan or to spray insecticides. The next objective was to determine the efficacy of three insecticides (chlorpyrifos, spinosad and spirotetramat) to control P. kellyanus nymphs. These insecticides were selected because of their different mode of action. Chlorpyrifos and spinosad significantly reduced the percentage of damaged fruit when there was one generation of nymphs. However, their persistence was not enough to prevent the attack of a second generation of nymphs. Spirotetramat had not a shock effect against this pest and it could not avoid the attack of a second generation. We analysed the side effects of these three insecticides on natural enemies present at the time of the treatment. Spinosad as spirotetramat negatively affected phytoseiids. Due to low populations of other natural enemies we could not assess the side effects on them. Therefore, we decided to study the side effects of these insecticides on coccinelids and parasitoids under laboratory conditions. Lethal and sublethal side effects of spirotetramat on adults and larvae of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were evaluated under laboratory conditions by topical application and by ingestion of treated individuals of Planococcus citri Risso (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Spirotetramat resulted harmless when directly applied on larvae and adults of C. montrouzieri, since it did not affect survival, longevity, fecundity, egg hatching, and offspring survival. When larvae and adults of C. Montrouzieri were fed with treated prey, spirotetramat was also classified as harmless. We studied lethal and sublethal effects of spirotetramat, spinosad and chlorpyrifos on Aphytis melinus DeBach (Aphelinidae Hymenoptera), the main parasitoid of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Hemipteta: Diaspididae). For A. melinus adults, chlorpyrifos and spinosad were classified as toxic but spirotetramat resulted moderately toxic. For immature (larvae), chlorpyrifos was moderately toxic, spirotetramat was slightly toxic and spinosad resulted harmless. Takin into consideration these results, spirotetramat could be used against P. kellyanus in orchards where population levels are low and an application against A. aurantii is also need because this insecticide shows high efficacy against this pest. / [ES] Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) es actualmente una plaga más en los cítricos valencianos, cuyas ninfas, al alimentarse de la superficie de los frutos recién cuajados, producen unas escarificaciones circulares alrededor del pedúnculo que devalúan el valor del fruto en el mercado. Hoy en día, el control químico es prácticamente la única alternativa contra este trips. Para mejorar la gestión integrada de P. kellyanus es necesario un mayor conocimiento sobre su biología y ecología en campo. Para ello, se ha seguido la dinámica poblacional de las ninfas de P. kellyanus durante el periodo en que los frutos recién cuajados son más sensibles a los daños producidos por las ninfas. Se ha estudiado la distribución de la plaga dentro de los árboles y su movimiento a lo largo del día, factores necesarios para estimar la población de trips y para afinar las aplicaciones de productos fitosanitarios. Tanto la dinámica como los daños variaron según parcelas y años. Tras la caída de pétalos se observaron una o dos generaciones de ninfas que produjeron daños en los frutos. Resultado que subraya la necesidad de realizar muestreos semanales desde la caída de pétalos hasta incluso después del tratamiento contra la primera generación. Además, según los datos obtenidos, cuando se da una segunda generación de P. Kellyanus, ésta es más dañina para los frutos. Las ninfas de P. kellyanus mostraron una preferencia por los frutos situados en la parte alta de la copa, coincidiendo con el mayor número de frutos dañados en esta zona. La distribución de las ninfas fue uniforme en las cuatro orientaciones del árbol y a lo largo del día. Por lo tanto, estos factores no parecen ser claves a la hora de desarrollar un plan de muestreo o realizar aplicaciones fitosanitarias. A continuación se determinó la eficacia de tres insecticidas (clorpirifos, spinosad y spirotetramat), con diferente modo de acción, en el control de las ninfas de P. kellyanus. Clorpirifos y spinosad redujeron significativamente el porcentaje de frutos dañados cuando se dio una sola generación de ninfas P. Kellyanus, sin embargo no evitaron el ataque de una segunda generación de ninfas. Spirotetramat no presentó un efecto de choque y no evitó el segundo ataque. En estos trabajos de campo, se analizaron los efectos secundarios de los insecticidas sobre los enemigos naturales presentes en el momento de los tratamientos. Spinosad como spirotetramat afectaron negativamente a las poblaciones fitoseidos en campo. Debido a las bajas poblaciones del resto de enemigos naturales no pudo evaluarse los efectos secundarios sobre ellos y se estudiaron en condiciones de laboratorio sobre coccinélidos y parasitoides. Se determinaron los efectos letales y subletales de spirotetramat en adultos y larvas de Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), por aplicación directa de los productos y por ingestión de presa, Planococcus citri Risso (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), previamente tratada por los productos. Spirotetramat resultó inocuo al aplicarse directamente sobre larvas o adultos de C. montrouzieri, y no afectó a la supervivencia, longevidad fecundidad, fertilidad y y supervivencia de la descendencia. Spirotetramat también resultó inocuo al alimentar a adultos y larvas de C. montrouzieri con presa previamente tratada. Se determinaron los efectos letales y subletales de los tres insecticidas sobre Aphytis melinus DeBach (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), principal parasitoide de Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Hemipteta: Diaspididae) en cítricos. En adultos, clorpirifos y spinosad resultaron tóxicos mientras que spirotetramat resultó moderadamente tóxico. Sobre inmaduros de A. melinus, clorpirifos resultó moderadamente tóxico, spirotetramat ligeramente tóxico y spinosad inocuo. Así, spirotetramat se podría utilizar contra P. kellyanus en parcelas con niveles poblacionales bajos cuando deba tratarse también cont / [CA] Pezothrips kellyanus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) és, actualment, una plaga més dels cítrics valencians. Les nimfes es refugien i s'alimenten de la superfície dels fruits recentment quallats que produeix unes escarificacions circulars al voltant del peduncle del fruit i devaluen el seu valor al mercat. Hui en dia, el control químic és pràcticament l'única alternativa contra aquest trips. Per poder millorar la gestió integrada de P. kellyanus és necessari un major coneixement sobre la seua biologia i ecologia en camp. Per a això, s'ha avaluat la dinàmica poblacional de les nimfes de P. kellyanus durant el període on els fruits recentment quallats són més sensibles als danys produïts per les nimfes. A més, s'ha estudiat la distribució de la plaga dins dels arbres i el seu moviment al llarg del dia, factors necessaris per a estimar la població de trips i per afinar les aplicacions de productes fitosanitaris. Tant la dinàmica com els danys van variar segons parcel¿les i anys, després de la caiguda de pètals es van observar una o dues generacions de nimfes que van produir danys als fruits. Aquest resultat subratlla la necessitat de realitzar mostrejos setmanals des de la caiguda de pètals fins i tot després del tractament contra la primera generació. Segons les dades obtingudes, quan es dóna una segona generació de P. kellyanus, aquesta és més perjudicial per als fruits. Les nimfes van mostrar un clara preferència pels fruits situats a la part alta de la copa, coincidint amb el major nombre de fruits danyats en aquesta zona. No obstant això, la distribució de les nimfes va ser uniforme en les quatre orientacions de l'arbre i la seva abundància tampoc va variar al llarg del dia. Per tant, son factors que no semblen ser claus a l'hora de desenvolupar un pla de mostreig o realitzar aplicacions fitosanitàries. El següent objectiu va ser determinar l'eficàcia de tres insecticides (clorpirifos, spinosad i spirotetramat), amb acció diferent, en el control de les nimfes de P. kellyanus. Clorpirifos i spinosad van reduir significativament el percentatge de fruits danyats quan es va donar una sola generació de nimfes, però no varen evitar l'atac d'una segona generació de nimfes. Spirotetramat no va presentar un efecte de xoc contra aquesta plaga i tampoc va evitar l'atac d'una segona generació. En aquests treballs de camp, se va analitzar els efectes secundaris d'aquests tres insecticides sobre els enemics naturals presents en el moment dels tractaments. Spinosad i spirotetramat van afectar negativament les poblacions fitoseids en camp. Com varen ser baixes les poblacions de la resta d'enemics naturals es va estudiar els efectes secundaris sobre coccinélids i parasitoids en condicions de laboratori. Es varen determinar els efectes letals i subletals de spirotetramat en adults i larves de Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) per aplicació directa dels productes i per ingestió de presa, Planococcus citri Risso (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), prèviament tractada pels productes. Spirotetramat va resultar innocu a la aplicació directa sobre larves o adults de C. montrouzieri, no va afectar la supervivència, longevitat fecunditat, fertilitat i supervivència de la descendència. I el mateix quan adults i larves de van ser alimentats amb presa prèviament tractada. Finalment, es van determinar els efectes letals i subletals dels tres insecticides sobre Aphytis melinus DeBach (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), principal parasitoid de Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Hemipteta: Diaspididae) en cítrics. En adults, clorpirifos i spinosad van resultar tòxics, spirotetramat va resultar moderadament tòxic. Sobre immadurs de A melinus, clorpirifos va resultar moderadament tòxic, spirotetramat lleugerament tòxic i spinosad innocu. Així, spirotetramat es podria utilitzar contra P. kellyanus en parcel¿les amb nivells poblacionals baixos aprofitant el tractament contra A. aurantii al p / Planes Insa, L. (2016). BASES PARA LA GESTIÓN INTEGRADA DE PEZOTHRIPS KELLYANUS (BAGNALL) (THYSANOPTERA: THRIPIDAE) EN CÍTRICOS [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/63676 / Compendio

Aim of thesis was to create an electronic version of an information database and the e-learning system, focusing on predatory insects and mites. The e-learning system provides information about the main types of predatory insects and mites used in biological plant protection, including the types of naturally occurring entomofauna and acarifauna agroecosystems in the Czech Republic. The system contains information about the taxonomy, morphology, development cycles, prey, methods of control, etc. Thesis is a combination of text, tables, photographs and line drawings from professional publications. The various components of the system are interconnected through hyperlinks. The system includes information on the ecotoxicology, dictionary terms and the ability to search based on various criteria. In the photo gallery you can find together 310 images, which are intended to create a picture of the morphology, development cycles and behavior of individual organisms.