Effect of different ground cover management on spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) and their phytoseiid (Acari: Phytoseiidae) enemies in citrus orchards

Abstract

We determined the effect of ground cover on phytoseiid predatory mite populations and the potential biological control of Panonychus citri (McGregor). Results showed that citrus trees with ground cover contained higher population densities of predatory mites and provided better regulation of P. citri than trees in bare soil. The ground cover Ageratum conyzoides L. performed better than Palspalum notatum Flugge in sheltering phytoseiid mites.

Keywords:

• Phytoseiidae
• Panonychus citri
• cover crop
• biological control

Acknowledgements

We thank the Citrus Research Institute of Yiling district, Yichang City, for providing their plots, assistance and full cooperation. We express our gratitude to Professor Wu Weinan for the help in the identification of predatory mites and to Zeng Ni, Wu Fangyu, Liang Lingyun, Li Qiujia and Wang Qin for their invaluable assistance in surveying and sampling in the field trials.

Funding

This research was supported by the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest [No. 200903032] and the earmarked fund for the Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System of China (CARS-27).

Additional information

Funding

Funding: This research was supported by the Special Fund for Agro-scientific Research in the Public Interest [No. 200903032] and the earmarked fund for the Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System of China (CARS-27).