Pilot study of the population dynamics of predatory mites and pest leaf mites in citron-lemon orchards
Author of the article:SONG Zi-Wei； FANG Xiao-Duan；ZHANG Bao-Xin；LI Dun-Song
Author's Workplace：Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of High Technology for Plant Protection,Plant Protection Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou 510260, China
Key Words：Scapulaseius newsami; Panonchus citri; Phyllocoptes oleiverus; Tydeidae mites; population dynamics
Abstract：[Objectives] To clarify the population dynamics of predatory mites and pest leaf mites in citron-lemon orchards, and the degree to which pest leaf mites are controlled by predatory mites under natural conditions. [Methods] The abundance of predatory mites and citrus red mites were measured using the shaking-off plate method at fixed sites. The abundance of citrus eriophyid mites was measured by collecting lemon leaves and counting mites under a stereo-microscope. Samples of predatory mites were obtained using the plant-flapping plate method, and species identified under a microscope. [Results] In citron-lemon orchards that had not been treated with acaricides, phytoseiid mites were the dominant predatory mites on lemon trees, and Scapulaseius newsami was the dominant phytoseiid mite species. S. newsami can maintain stable populations in orchards, the abundance of Tydeidae mites is affected by the environment, and the population dynamics of Tydeidae mites and Phyllocoptes oleiverus was similar. [Conclusion] In citron-lemon orchards that have not been treated with acaricides, predatory mites are sufficiently abundant that they can effectively control citrus red mites.