Fictitious foods as an increment source for the predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), agent of biological pest control
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2024
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Zamorano: Escuela Agrícola Panamericana
Resumen
A main challenge in biological pest control lies in the poor establishment and persistence of natural enemies within crops, necessitating frequent release of high quantity and quality natural enemies. To overcome this obstacle, it is crucial to develop strategies that ensure the sustained presence of predator populations, independent of fluctuations in pest populations. Focusing on
Neoseiulus cucumeris, the study evaluated alternative food sources which could enhance survival during periods of prey scarcity. The first experiment assessed fictitiousfood options, including Typhaangustifolia, Zea mays, Ricinus communis, Acrocomia aculeata, Carpoglyphuslactis, and Tyrophagus
putrescentiae, in a laboratory setting using small acrylic plates. Promising results for T. angustifolia, R. communis, and T. putrescentiae were the best treatments. Fecundity rates were recorded at 1.5, 1.08, and 1.17 eggs/female/day, respectively. The second experiment monitored the potential of N. cucumeris in greenhouse conditions, specifically examining how supplementation with fictitiousfoods influences population dynamics. T. angustifolia, Z. mays, and T. putrescentiae were utilized, with T. angustifolia pollen emerging as the most effective among the three. T. angustifolia as
alternative fictitious food obtained an instantaneous rate of increase of 0.109, with an average of 6.2 N. cucumeris/leaf, 0.01 spider mite/leaf, 24.8 broad mites/leaf, and 0.4 thrips/leaf. These results underscore the potential of T. angustifolia as a valuable alternative food source for supporting N.
cucumeris populations and optimizing biological control in sweet pepper cultivation within greenhouse environments.
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Conservative biological control, predatory mite, natural enemy, fictitious food source, sweet pepper.