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Two invasive spider mite species (Stigmaeopsis nanjingensis Ma and Yuan, 1980 and Schizotetranychus bambusae Reck, 1941) were spotted on bamboo collections in Hungary. The possibilities of biological control were investigated on these mites with two different predatory mite species (Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957 and Hypoaspis miles Berlese, 1892 [Stratiolaelaps scimitus Womersley, 1956]). The species Phytoseiulus persimilis consumed larger amount of S. bambusae mites than Stratiolaelaps scimitus mites and none of the predatory mite species could consume the S. nanjingensis species with its special nets.
Recently Echinothrips americanus and Microcephalothrips abdominalis were introduced in Europe, respectively, in 1989 and 1994. Both species can be easily identified and are known from interceptions in the international trade on different ornamental hosts. E. americanus is spread mostly with Araceae and M. abdominalis is found on the intensively cultivated Tagetes. Both thrips species can occur on many ornamentals without showing obvious damage. This occurrence without damage on commercial crops and the development on weeds hampers the effectiveness of measures to prevent spread. Both are reported here new for Hungary and additionally M. abdominalis is found for the first time in Croatia. Characters and photographs for the identification of both species are given. The species are compared with some other species described within Echinothrips and Microcephalothrips.
Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) has been reported from Africa, Asia and Europe, often in association with Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), one of the most important pests of strawberry, cucumber and eggplant in different parts of the world. Neoseiulus barkeri is often observed for a limited time on plants in the absence of prey, feeding on alternative and supplementary foods and reaching high population levels. In this study, we test the hypothesis that various fungi (recorded in association with the host plant) could be suitable food source for the predatory mite N. barkeri . In the laboratory, we compared the developmental times, survival and oviposition rates of the predatory mite feeding on the primary food (T. urticae) or mycelium and spores of Aspergillus niger, Alternaria solani, Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum as alternative or supplementary food. Results indicated that the fungi, A. niger, A. solani and P. digitatum are adequate food sources for generalist mite survival and development. Neoseiulus barkeri was able to sustain oviposition when fed on the fungus A. niger , so it was proved to be an alternative food, conversely the predator failed to oviposit when fed on P. digitatum and A. solani , hence, both fungi can be consider as supplementary food for the predator. The fungus P. italicum is proved to be inadequate food, since most of protonymphs failed to complete its development and reach adult female. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feeding preference and the effect of food items (pest mite or fungi) commonly present on strawberry, cucumber and pepper in fields or greenhouses.
The deterrent and toxicity effects of Melissa officinalis L. essential oil on Tetranychus urticae Koch were studied under laboratory conditions. Leaf discs treated with increasing concentrations of lemon balm oil showed high percentage of repellency (64–86%), respectively. The oviposition deterrent indices (ODI) of Melissa oil was ranged (74–94%) for T. urticae at concentration (0.3–1%). The direct contact application of M. officinalis oil proved to be the most toxic application on various stages of T. urticae compared to leaf dipping, fumigation and systemic applications. Oil formulation (Melissacide) was shown to be the effective one against T. urticae nymphs, females and eggs (LC50 = 0.03, 0.03 and 0.04%) compared to Melissa oil.The toxicity of M. officinalis oil and Melissacide by direct spray to females and eggs of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) was tested. The predator N. californicus is extremely less sensitive to Melissa oil and Melissacide than the pest T. urticae in the laboratory. When N. californicus was sprayed with (LC50 and LC90 values reported on T. urticae), females mortalities ranged between 8.5–13%, respectively. Melissacide is non-persistent in the environment due to its volatile nature. No phytotoxicity was observed in bean plant after four weeks of Melissacide treatment.Results obtained chemically from M. officinalis oil, may suggest that the higher percentage of benzene, 1(1,5dimethyl-4hexenyl)4methyl (= α-curcumene), caryophyllene oxide, ëCadinol and cedrene of the oil could be responsible for the toxic effect.
Tomato crop in the Mediterranean Basin has been recently affected by the exotic pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), which is difficult to control due to its high reproduction rate and potential to develop resistance to insecticides. In this paper, the suitability and effectiveness of three predatory phytoseiid mites Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski and Amitai), Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) and Amblyseius largoensis (Muma), an indigenous species, were evaluated on larvae of T. absoluta under laboratory conditions. First instar larvae of T. absoluta proved to be possible food source for tested phytoseiid mites under laboratory conditions.
Females of C. negevi, A. largoensis and N. barkeri were able to feed and sustain oviposition on unfed, first instar larvae of T. absoluta. A diet of insect larvae provided the shortest oviposition period and adult longevity of C. negevi and A. largoensis, while N. barkeri showed the longest corresponding periods. The total and daily number of insect larvae consumed was significantly higher in N. barkeri than in A. largoensis and C. negevi. Likewise, N. barkeri laid significantly higher number of eggs (23.6 eggs / female) than that deposited by C. negevi and A. largoensis (2.5 and 3.9 eggs / female). The sex ratio of the progeny was female biased and ranged: (females / total=0.62-0.68%) when insect larvae were provided for females of C. negevi, A. largoensis and N. barkeri.
Recent years of studies have suggested that the common crab spider (Xysticus kochi) has a great potential against the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) . The efficiency of applying a single predator against a pest however, is made uncertain by many different factors. Using a mixture of predators on the other hand, can overcome the difficulties of using a single-species agent, since different predators have different environmental demands and preying habits. Our experiments involved releasing a non-selected assemblage of arthropods, collected by sweep-net in alfalfa and stinging nettle, into greenhouse pepper stands. Interestingly, while there were twice as much thrips in the experimental greenhouses than in the control (mainly conventional) ones, crop yields were similar. The ratio of predators-preys in experimental greenhouses was not different from that in the control greenhouses, too. Probably the release of predators and lack of chemical treatments in experimental stands resulted in a 43% increase in the amount of Orius species. In search of a cost-effective, environment-friendly pest management method, the application of a mass-collected, non-selected assemblages of arthropods has a definite potential. Further investigations are needed to increase the efficiency and to monitor the potential drawbacks of this method.
The first record of species Penthalodes ovalis (Dugès, 1834) in agricultural habitat is presented in this paper. This is also the first record of the occurrence and damages on grown plants. The variability of the morphology and new data on the biology are given as well.
initiated by Central Hospital of Southern-Pest, National Institute of Hematology and Infectious Diseases, Budapest, Hungary. The CONTRAST (trial was approved by the Scientific and Research Ethics Committee of the Hungarian National Medical Scientific Council
