Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture (1997) 37, 343-349

D.J. Thackray, T.J. Ridsdill-Smith and D.J. Gillespie (1997)
Mass rearing Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) (Acari : Penthaleidae) for use in summer screening of Trifolium subterraneum (L.) for mite resistance
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 37 (3), 343-349
Abstract: Controlled environment experiments were conducted to establish some of the requirements for successful mass rearing of Halotydeus destructor (redlegged earth mite). Numbers of mites reared on Vicia sativa (common vetch) cv. Blanchefleur grown alone or on a mixture of vetch with Trifolium subterraneum (subterranean clover) cv. Goulburn, were significantly higher than those on subterranean clover or Arctotheca calendula (capeweed) alone. Populations reared on vetch grown in a sandy soil were significantly higher than those reared on vetch grown in a loamy soil, pure sand or pure loam. Covering the soil surface with a natural pasture mulch increased mite numbers compared with leaving the soil bare or placing plant pots inside ventilated cages. Subsequent changes in rearing methodology produced enough mites to enable summer screening of subterranean clover lines for resistance to H. destructorfor the first time. Over 20 000 mites can be produced from vetch at one time for screening tests throughout the year.
(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): Thomas James Ridsdill-Smith

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
rearing/culturing/mass production

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

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