Release of predatory mite, Neoseiulus barkeri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) for its suppression two species of eriophyid mites (Acari: Eriophyidae) on olive seedlings in Egypt

ABSTRACT

This work evaluates the predator, Neoseiulus barkeri as a biocontrol agent for Aceria oleae and Tegolophus hassani on olive seedlings in Egypt. Three release rates (50, 100 and 150 predators/olive seedlings) were tested, and the numbers of N. barkeri and eriophyids were assessed over the 2017 and 2018 seasons. For both years, the densities of N. barkeri increased significantly over four months, and the densities of the two species of eriophyids were reduced. Significant differences were observed between the three release rates. Early releases of 100 N. barkeri per seedling at the first appearance of eriophyids substantially suppressed populations of the two pests considered.

KEYWORDS:

• Biological control
• phytoseiid mite
• Aceria oleae
• Tegolophus hassani
• reduction

Acknowledgements

Thanks are to Dr. M.M. Abou-Setta (Scale Insects and Mealy Bugs Department, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre; Egypt) for his help with data statistical analysis. Thanks also are to Dr. Bruce Halliday (Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, Australia) for help with the English language editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).