Entomophaga (1996) 41, 485-491

A.Y.M. El-Laithy (1996)
Integrated control of two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae on cucumber grown under plastic-house conditions in Egypt
Entomophaga 41 (3-4), 485-491
Abstract: Microclimatic conditions were monitored in cucumber grown under unheated plastic-houses in three consecutive years, i.e. from 1990 to 1992 in Egypt. The relative humidity in the plastichouses constructed on either sandy or clay soil did not exceed 30% during mid-day time, while the average temperature did not drop below 30°C. Such conditions favoured population build up of the two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch.
In 1993 and 1994, three plastic-houses planted to cucumber, cultivar Rawa or Hana were selected. Relative humidity in two of them was maintained over 50% during the day using spraying nozzles, the third being kept as control. Mildew diseases induced by increased leaf wetness needed to be managed using fungicides. Phytoseiulus persimilis and P. longipes were released in the first two plastic-houses, while acaricides were applied in the control. In early May T. urticae population increase on the growing top of cucumber plants required two acaricidal applications as predatory mites did not migrate to the apical leaves which were too warm and dry. More than 80% of the maximum yield was obtained on average in plastic-houses using increased relative humidity, but without any acaricidal applications.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)	Egypt
Phytoseiulus persimilis (predator)	Tetranychus urticae	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)	Egypt
Phytoseiulus longipes (predator)	Tetranychus urticae	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)	Egypt