Evaluation of Euseius nicholsi as a biological control for three species of spider mites in rubber plantations
Author of the article:JIA Jing-Jing；FU Yue-Guan；ZHANG Fang-Ping；ZHOU Shi-Hao；NIE Yue；CHEN Jun-Yu
Author's Workplace：Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China; Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, P. R China, Haikou 571101, China
Key Words：Euseius nicholsi; Eotetranychus sexmaculatus; Eutetranychus orientalis; Oligonychus biharen; functional respons
Abstract：[Objectives] To determine the prey preferences and potential of Euseius nicholsi as a biological control for three species of spider mites in rubber plantations. [Methods] The prey preferences and functional response of E. nicholsi to Eotetranvchus sexmaculatus, Eutetranychus orientalis and Oligonychus biharen were studied at (27±1) ℃, RH 75%±5% and a 12L︰12D photoperiod. [Results] E. nicholsi preyed on different life-stages of E. sexmaculatus but did not prey on the eggs of O. biharen. The functional response of E. nicholsi to different life-stages of E.sexmaculatus. E orientalis and O. biharen matched the Holling-II equation. The predation capability (a/Th) of E. nicholsi on the adult females, nymphs, larvae and eggs of E. sexmaculatus was the strongest with values of 49.79, 106.83, 157.52 and 38.44, respectively. The next preferred prey was E. orientalis and the least preferred was O. biharen. The predation capability (a/Th)) of E. nicholsi on E. sexmaculatus nymphs was strongest at 30 ℃, but for the nymphs of E. orientalis and O. biharen this was strongest at 33 ℃. [Conclusion] E. nicholsi is a potential biological control for the spider mites E. sexmaculatus. E orientalis and O. biharen in rubber plantations. Of these three species, E orientalis should be most effective at controlling E. sexmaculatus and should be considered a useful natural predator for the control of this pest.