Experimental and Applied Acarology (2001) 25, 271-291

M. Nomikou, A. Janssen, R. Schraag and M.W. Sabelis (2001)
Phytoseiid predators as potential biological control agents for Bemisia tabaci
Experimental and Applied Acarology 25 (4), 271-291
Abstract: Mites of the family Phytoseiidae are known to be predators of whiteflies in several agroecosystems, especially of Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, a pest with high resistance to chemical insecticides that occurs in greenhouses in temperate regions. We collected predatory mites that were found to co-occur with whiteflies in the Middle East for control of B. tabaci: Typhlodromus athiasae (Porath and Swirski), Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes, Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias-Henriot), Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot), Phytoseius finitimus Ribaga. As a first step in the evaluation of these species as biological control agents, we measured their life-history traits when feeding on whiteflies. The intrinsic rates of increase (r) of the predatory mite species ranged between 0.131 and 0.215 per day and E. scutalis had the highest r estimated. Comparisons with the r of B. tabaci indicate that some of the species should be capable of suppressing local populations of whitefly. The ability of predators to use alternative food was also tested, since it facilitates the setup of mass cultures and it can promote their persistence in the crop, even if the prey is scarce. All predatory mite species tested were able to survive and reproduce on a diet of broad bean pollen.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Maria Nomikou, Maurice W. Sabelis, 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.
	Bemisia tabaci
Neoseiulus barkeri (predator)	Bemisia tabaci
Typhlodromus athiasae (predator)	Bemisia tabaci
Amblyseius swirskii (predator)	Bemisia tabaci
Phytoseius finitimus (predator)	Bemisia tabaci
Euseius scutalis (predator)	Bemisia tabaci