Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata (2011) 138, 154-161
Touhidur Rahman, Sonya Broughton and Helen Spafford (2011)
Effect of spinosad and predatory mites on control of Frankliniella occidentalis in three strawberry cultivars
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 138 (2), 154-161
Abstract: Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a major pest of strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa Duchesne (Rosaceae). Spinosad is highly efficacious against F. occidentalis, and spinosad is believed to be compatible in an integrated pest management program. This study determined whether F. occidentalis could be controlled with predatory mites [Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (both Acari: Phytoseiidae), and Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) (Acari: Laelapidae)] and spinosad in strawberry. In the glasshouse, three strawberry cultivars (Camarosa, Camino Real, and Albion) were sprayed once with spinosad at the recommended rate (80 ml 100 l−1 rate, 0.096 g a.i. l−1) or with water (control). Thrips adults were released onto plants 24 h after spraying and predatory mites released 6 days later. Spinosad significantly reduced thrips numbers compared with water. All three mite species reduced F. occidentalis numbers, and spinosad had no effect on predatory mites. Though H. miles could not be counted, the numbers of thrips in treatments with H. miles were lower than those in treatments without the mite. Thrips numbers were lowest on Camino Real and highest on Camarosa. These results suggest that the use of Camino Real with spinosad applications followed by releases of predatory mites can significantly reduce thrips numbers.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Touhidur Rahman
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection
