Mites fluctuation population on peach tree (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) and in associated plants

Abstract

-Despite the importance of peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) in Rio Grande do Sul, little is known about mites fluctuation population considered important to this crop. The objective of this study was to know the population diversity and fluctuation of mite species associated with Premier and Eldorado varieties in Roca Sales and Venâncio Aires counties, Rio Grande do Sul. The study was conducted from July 2008 to June 2009 when 15 plants were randomly chosen in each area. The plants were divided in quadrants and from each one a branch was chosen from which three leaves were removed: one collected in the apical region, another in the medium and the other in the basal region, totalizing 180 leaves/area. Five of the most abundant associated plants were collected monthly in enough amounts for the screening under the stereoscopic microscope during an hour. A total of 1,124 mites were found belonging to 14 families and 28 species. Tetranychus ludeni Zacher, 1913, Panonychus ulmi (Koch, 1836 and Mononychellus planki (McGregor, 1950) were the most abundant phytophagous mites, whereas Typhlodromalus aripo Deleon, 1967 and Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks, 1904) the most common predatory mites. The period of one hour under stereoscopic microscope was enough to get a representative sample. In both places evaluated the ecologic indices were low, but little higherin Premier (H' 0.56; EqJ: 0.43) when compared to Eldorado (H' 0.53; EqJ 0.40). In Premier constant species were not observed and accessory only Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes, 1939), T. ludeni and T. aripo. Higher abundance was observed in December and January and bigger amount in April. Already in Eldorado, T. ludeni and P. ulmi were constants. Greater abundance was observed in November and December, whereas grater richness in December and January. In both orchards were not found mites in buds. Tetranychus ludeni is the most abundant phytophagous mites with outbreak population in November, December and January and high predator diversity was observed on associated plants and on peach plants, indicating the existence of species mobility in peach orchard. Index terms: Acari, biological control, Panonychus ulmi, Tetranychus ludeni, Typhlodromalus aripo. FLUTUAÇÃO POPULACIONAL DE ÁCAROS NA CULTURA DO PESSEGUEIRO (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) E EM PLANTAS ASSOCIADASRESUMO -Apesar da grande importância da cultura do pêssego [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] no Rio Grande do Sul, pouco se conhece sobre a diversidade e a flutuação populacional de ácaros considerados importantes para esta cultura. O objetivo deste trabalho foi conhecer a flutuação populacional das espécies acarinas associadas às cultivares Premier e Eldorado nos municípios de Roca Sales e Venâncio Aires, Rio Grande do Sul. O estudo foi realizado no período de julho de 2008 a junho de 2009, quando foram amostradas 15 plantas escolhidas ao acaso numa área em cada município. As plantas foram divididas em quadrantes, e de cada quadrante foi escolhido um galho de onde foram retiradas três folhas das regiões...

Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in the northern coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

“…This species has been associated to strawberry fruits, peach trees, blackberries, grapevines and weeds. [39][40][41][42][43] E. ho and E. alatus were the most abundant in the spring sample, possibly due to the feeding habitat, as noted by McMurtry & Croft, [6] who classify these species as polyphagous (pollen feeders). E. ho only appeared at the forest plantation (A3) and Morro da Borrúsia (A4), where their food is possibly more available.…”

“…This species is widely distributed in the agroecosystem of the Rio Grande do Sul State, such as on citrus, yerba mate, peach trees and grapevines. [34,[40][41][42]44] Although they are pollen feeders, they are also able to feed on other mites, especially the Eriophyidae, Tarsonemidae, Tenuipalpidae and Tetranychidae families McMurtry & Croft. [6] Some studies have shown that certain species of Euseius can develop and reproduce preying only on eriophids.…”

Mite Fauna (Arachnida: Acari) on Peach Cultivars in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil

“…Contradictorily observations made elsewhere in the world, in the present study there were no detected visual symptoms associated with the occurrence of this mite. Eichelberger et al (2011) also reported that A. fockeui has little relevance in peach orchards in Rio Grande do Sul.…”

A new species of the genusBrachytydeusThor, 1931sensuAndré, 2005 (Acari: Tydeidae) from Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, with a key to the species in the Americas

“…Presently, more than 200 species are known in this genus. In Brazil, only Brachytydeus formosa (Cooreman) has been reported from Rio Grande do Sul State (Johann et al 2009;Eichelberger et al 2011;Klock et al 2011). Aranda and Flechtmann (1969) also report Lorryia panitae Baker on peach trees in Brazil, but this species currently is placed in the subfamily Pretydeinae, genus Pretydeus André.…”