Neotropical Entomology (2004) 33, 799-803

Karin F.S. Collier, Jose O.G. de Lima and Gilberto S. Albuquerque (2004)
Predacious mites in papaya (Carica papaya L.) orchards: in search of a biological control agent of phytophagous mite pests
Neotropical Entomology 33 (6), 799-803
Abstract: This study was conducted to search for potential mite predators to control phytophagous mites in papaya orchards. Bimonthly surveys, from January 1999 to February 2000, were carried out in two orchards, one in Silva Jardim (RJ), where pests are naturally controlled, and one at Linhares (ES), where pests are chemically controlled. All mite species collected from buds, new leaves, old leaves, and floral buttons of papaya trees and from weed leaves were quantified and identified to at least family level. Despite the relatively diverse mite fauna, we found representatives of only one family of predacious mites, i.e. Phytoseiidae. Among these, Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark and Muma was the most abundant and frequent during all seasons in the Linhares orchard, coinciding mainly with the fluctuations in abundance of tetranychid mites. Such occurrence in a production system with large use of acaricides, together with its favorable biological traits reported in the literature, lead us to recommend this species as a good candidate for biological control of papaya mite pests, especially Tetranychus urticae Koch.

Com o objetivo de selecionar ácaros predadores com potencial de controle de ácaros fitófagos do mamão, foram realizadas, de janeiro de 1999 a fevereiro de 2000, amostragens bimensais de ácaros em dois pomares, um orgânico (Silva Jardim, RJ) e outro com controle químico de pragas, doenças e invasoras (Linhares, ES). Todas as espécies presentes nas brotações laterais, folhas novas, folhas velhas e botões florais dos mamoeiros e nas folhas das plantas invasoras foram quantificadas e identificadas ao menos até família. Apesar da relativamente diversa fauna de ácaros, somente representantes de uma família de predadores, Phytoseiidae, foram encontrados. Dentre estes, Neoseiulus idaeus Denmark and Muma destacou-se por sua abundância e freqüência nas diferentes épocas do ano no pomar de Linhares, coincidindo principalmente com as flutuações na abundância dos tetraniquídeos. Tal ocorrência em um sistema de produção com grande emprego de acaricidas, aliada às características biológicas favoráveis dessa espécie, recomendam-na como candidata a agente de controle biológico de ácaros pragas do mamão, em especial Tetranychus urticae Koch.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
surveys/distribution/isolation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae	Papaya (Carica papaya)	Brazil (south)
Neoseiulus idaeus (predator)	Tetranychus urticae	Papaya (Carica papaya)	Brazil (south)