BioControl (2021) 66, 237-248

Milena O. Kalile, André C. Cardoso, Angelo Pallini, Morgana M. Fonseca, Simon L. Elliot, Verônica S. Fialho, Tércio da S. Carvalho and Arne Janssen (2021)
A predatory mite as potential biological control agent of Diaphorina citri
BioControl 66 (2), 237-248
Abstract: Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) is a vector of the bacteria that cause Huanglongbing, the fatal disease threatening citriculture worldwide. One of the most important management methods is the control of D. citri with pesticides, but their intensive use causes development of resistance and pollution. An alternative method is therefore necessary to manage this vector-pathogen system. The generalist predatory mite Amblyseius herbicolus Chant (Acari: Phytoseiidae) can be found on citrus and orange jasmine plants, important hosts of D. citri in Brazil. Here we show that this phytoseiid can reproduce and develop on D. citri eggs. The predation rate was higher on D. citri eggs collected from plants in the field than on eggs from small plants from a laboratory rearing. Yet the predator preferred eggs from the laboratory. This may indicate that the higher predation rate of eggs from the field served to compensate for these eggs being of lower nutritional quality. This was confirmed with a series of experiments with limited numbers of eggs. We conclude that Amblyseius herbicolus is a potential biological control agent of D. citri, and its performance and control may be affected by the quality of the host plant.
(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): Arne Janssen

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
evaluation - screening - selection

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Diaphorina citri	Citrus (genus)	Brazil (south)
Amblyseius herbicolus (predator)	Diaphorina citri	Citrus (genus)	Brazil (south)