Acarologia (2022) 62, 892-897

Maicon Toldi, Noeli Juarez Ferla, Darliane Evangelho Silva, Priscila de Andrade Rode, Anderson de Azevedo Meira and Enrico de Lillo (2022)
Could phytoseiid mites impair biological control of the invasive plant, Ailanthus altissima?
Acarologia 62 (4), 892-897
Abstract: Aculus taihangensis is a potential biological control agent of Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle. However, predatory mites found in Europe may affect the action of this eriophyid agent. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biology of two predatory mites, Euseius stipulatus and Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) exhilaratus, feeding on A. taihangensis. Rearing stocks were maintained in germination chambers at 25 ± 1 °C, with 12 hours of photophase and relative humidity 70 ± 5%. Of 40 individualized T. (T.) exhilaratus eggs, only 37.5% achieved adulthood, while viability of E. stipulatus was 87.5%. The mean fecundity was 18 eggs/ female. Both predatory mites evaluated in this study feed on A. taihangensis. However, only E. stipulatus seems to be an efficient predator, capable of controlling A. taihangensis.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Full text of article

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ailanthus altissima (weed)		Italy
Aculus taihangensis (weed bioagent)	Ailanthus altissima (weed)		Italy