Experimental and Applied Acarology (2011) 53, 121-137

Marelize de Villiers and Ken L. Pringle (2011)
The presence of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its predators on plants in the ground cover in commercially treated vineyards
Experimental and Applied Acarology 53 (2), 121-137
Abstract: The presence of Tetranychus urticae and its predators on plants in the ground cover in commercially treated vineyards in the Hex River Valley, Western Cape Province, South Africa was investigated. Six Barlinka and six Dauphine vineyards were surveyed. Leaf samples from the plants on the vineyard floor were taken at monthly intervals and microscopically examined for spider mites and their predators. The coverage of the plants was determined using a co-ordinate sampling system. A wide variety of plant species was found on the vineyard floor. Most of the spider mites found on these plants were T. urticae. The phytoseiid mites on the plants were Euseius rubicolus, Neoseiulus californicus and an undescribed Typhlodromus species. The presence of these plants made it possible for T. urticae and phytoseiid mites to occur throughout the year, with a similar pattern in their seasonal activity on the vineyard floor and the vine leaves.
(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): Marelize De Villiers, Ken L. Pringle

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
environment - cropping system/rotation
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae	Grapevine (Vitis)	South Africa
Neoseiulus californicus (predator)	Tetranychus urticae		South Africa
Euseius rubicolus (predator)	Tetranychus urticae	Grapevine (Vitis)	South Africa