Maret, Dylan; Wäckers, Felix; Pijnakker, Juliette; Norgrove, Lindsey; Sutter, Louis (2024). The predatory mite Pronematus ubiquitus curbs Aculops lycopersici damage under greenhouse conditions Pest Management Science, 80(4), pp. 1904-1911. John Wiley & Sons 10.1002/ps.7923
Text
Pest Management Science - Maret - The predatory mite Pronematus ubiquitus curbs Aculops lycopersici damage under.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (811kB) | Request a copy |
Background: The tomato russet mite, Aculops lycopersici, is a major worldwide pest infesting tomato crops for which only few control methods are available. At present, no commercialized beneficia organism has proven to be an effective biological of an iolinid mite, Pronematus ubiquitus, as a method against A. lycopersici in comparison with a curative treatment in a replicated experiment the greenhouse. Results: After pre-establishment of P. ubiquitus supplied with cattail pollen, followed by infestation of A. lycopersici, the predator was able to reduce pest populations by 98% as compared with control plants. Probably due to lack of food and high temperature, the number of P. ubiquitus decreased during the season and so the Eriophyid population rose, along with crop damage. The sulphur treatment could stop the progress of A. lycopersici, but their population levels remained high. Conclusion: Pronematus ubiquitus has great potential to prevent the establishment of the tomato russet mite. Even if a curative treatment affects the pest mite, the use of a preventive method is preferable as such insecticides/acaricides are harmful for beneficials and are applied after symptom appearance, when the pest pressure is already high. Despite the need to optimize management of the predator throughout the season, P. ubiquitus proved to be able to establish successfully on tomato plants. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.