Experimental and Applied Acarology (2018) 76, 487-506

Josh Douglas, Paul Umina, Sarina Macfadyen and Ary Hoffmann (2018)
Field associations of first generation densities of the pest mites Halotydeus destructor and Penthaleus major in pasture
Experimental and Applied Acarology 76 (4), 487-506
Abstract: Halotydeus destructor and Penthaleus major are species of earth mite commonly found at high densities in agricultural fields in Australia and other parts of the world. These mites pose a risk to a range of winter crops and pastures when seedlings emerge in autumn. In order to predict likely mite pressure, we investigated whether autumn densities in pastures can be determined from agronomic and environmental field variables. For H. destructor, field densities showed little association with a range of vegetation variables but could largely be explained using the variable field type, with high densities present when fields had mixtures of grass, clover and weeds. For P. major, we found a regional effect. In the region where most data were available, P. major field densities were associated with grass abundance, whereas an association with field type was significant but different to that found for H. destructor. For both species, densities were not associated with rainfall, but there was a weak association with soil moisture capacity. We discuss how these results can help in managing these important pest mites.
(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): Ary A. Hoffmann, Sarina Macfadyen, Paul A. Umina

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
population dynamics/ epidemiology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Halotydeus destructor
	Penthaleus major