PAIRWISE ASSOCIATION AS A CRITERION FOR THE SELECTION OF COLLECTION SITES OF NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE CASSAVA GREEN MITE, Mononychellus tanajoa (BONDAR)

Abstract

Climatic similarity has been the primary parameter considered in the selection of sites for the collection and release of natural enemies in classical biological control programs. However, acknowledging the relevance of the composition of biological communities can be essential for improving the record of successful biocontrol projects, in relation to the proper selection of collection sites. We present in this paper an analysis of the plant and mite assemblages in cassava fields of northeastern Brazil. Such analysis is suggested as an additional criterion for the selection of collection sites of mite predators of the cassava green mite, Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar), in an international biological control program. Contingency TABLES were built using Dice's index as an indicator of significant associations between pairs of species. This analysis enabled the identification of plant and mite species typically found together, indicating interspecific interactions or similar ecological requirements. Finally, a cluster analysis was used to group sites containing similar assemblages. These sites exhibit comparable chances of harboring a given species. Applied at the species-group level, the analysis may assist in better defining sites for the collection of natural enemies to be released in a given region, improving the chances of establishment.

Population dynamics of Aceodromus convolvuli (Acari: Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae) on spontaneous plants associated with Jatropha curcas in central Brazil

“…This pattern would be expected, as members of Ascidae sensu lato Lindquist and Evans (1965) are usually found on aerial plant parts only in regions of prevailing high levels of relative humidity. In a study conducted in northeastern Brazil, Rodrigues et al (1996) determined the significant level of association A. convolvuli with several other mites and plants. They determined the association to be negative with the phytoseiid Neoseiulus (=Amblyseius) idaeus Denmark & Muma and positive with the phytoseiid Amblydromalus (=Typhlodromalus) manihoti (Moraes), species that predominate respectively under conditions of low and high humidity levels (Moraes et al 1990).…”