Predatory mites in China: From resource exploration to practical application
Author of the article:ZHANG Bo1, 2, 3** XU Xue-Nong1, 2, 3***
Author's Workplace：1. State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; 2. Key Laboratory of Natural Enemies Insects, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China; 3. Agricultural High-tech Industrial Area of the Yellow River Delta, National Center of Technology Innovation for Comprehensive Utilization of Saline-Alkali Land, Dongying 257300, China
Key Words：phytoseiid mites; natural enemy resources; mass rearing and filed applications, challenges; future prospects
Abstract：
Predatory mites play a significant
role in controlling small, sap-sucking pests, such as spider mites, thrips, and
whiteflies. At the same time as the damage caused by these pests intensifies,
there is increasing pressure to reduce reliance on chemical control methods due
to growing concerns over ecological safety and public health. Consequently, the
importance of biological control methods employing the natural enemies of pest
mites, particularly predatory mites, has become more prominent. Over the past six
decades, China has made significant theoretical and practical advances in the
use of predatory mites for biological control purposes. These innovations
include research on the biological and ecological characteristics of over 30
species of phytoseiid mites and more than 10 other groups such as Laelapidae,
research on the nutritional and reproductive mechanisms of mites, interactions
among multiple species, large-scale production, innovations in production
technology, and synergistic applications of predatory mites. Alternative prey
species for the large-scale production of mites have been identified, including Carpoglyphus lactis and Tyrophagus putrescentiae. Production
methods have transitioned from classical, plant-based systems to
non-plant-based systems. There are now production lines for dozens of predatory
mite species, including Phytoseiulus persimiis, Neoseiulus
californicus, Amblyseius orientalis and Stratiolaelaps scimitus.
Applications have expanded beyond just the control of spider mites to the
control of thrips and whiteflies. This paper offers preliminary reflections on
the future development and utilization of predatory mites in China.
Recommendations include prioritizing the development of local predatory mite
species, intensifying efforts to develop predatory mites that target key pests
such as thrips, accelerating the research and development of artificial diets,
establishing quality standards for predatory mite products, and integrating the
application of predatory mites into crop pest and disease control systems.