Biological Control of Southern Red Mite, <i>Oligonychus ilicis</i> (Acari: Tetranychidae), in Coffee Plants

Abstract

The species of mite Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor) (Tetranychidae) is an important pest of dicotyledonous plants, cosmopolitan and polyphagous, reported in seven countries from four continents, feeding on 34 plant species of 15 families. The spider mite O. ilicis is known in Brazil as coffee red spider mite, and as southern red mite most in other countries. In Brazil O. ilicis has been reported as the second most important pest of "Conillon" coffee, Coffea canephora Pierre & Froehner, in the state of Espírito Santo. Depending on the number of mites per leaf of arabica coffee, Coffea arabica L., the rate of potential photosynthesis can be reduced by 37% to 50%. In the present study, it was investigated the potential of the two predatory mites which, among others, naturally occurs in coffee plantations, Euseius alatus DeLeon and Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant) (Phytoseiidae), in the control of O. ilicis in coffee plants. It was used potted coffee plants in this research, with approximately 100 cm high, growing in a greenhouse covered with transparent plastic and shading material of 50% sun protection factor, and with fine mesh on all the sides.Results showed that both species of predatory mites, A. herbicolus and E. alatus, are efficient in reducing the mobile phases-larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs and adults-of the southern red mite O. ilicis. So, the importance of conservation and increase number of these predatory mites in the field coffee growing is essential for implementing the southern red mite integrated management tactic, since these species are of natural occurrence in coffee plants.

Injury to Southern Highbush Blueberries by Southern Red Mites and Management Using Various Miticides

“…Initial infestations of 15-120 females of O. ilicis per leaf can result in a significant decrease in photosynthesis, causing substantial damage to coffee crops. Therefore, miticides are sprayed early and frequently throughout the season for severe infestations [11,16]. Blueberries appear to be more sensitive to SRM injury when compared with coffee, showing bronzing symptoms (~25% of bronzed foliage) with as low as six mites per leaf.…”

“…Similarly, only a few authors have evaluated the potential of biological control agents for management of SRM. The predatory mite Euseius alatus DeLeon (Acari: Phytoseiidae) has been reported as effective in suppressing SRM populations in coffee crops [16], and phytoseiid mites such as Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten and E. finlandicus Oudemans have been recorded in blueberry plantings in Europe [25]. However, data on the occurrence of these predatory mites in blueberries are lacking.…”

Effect of Mammea americana Aqueous Extract on the Control of the Coffee Red Spider Mite

“…The coffee red spider mite, Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) (Acari: Tetranychidae), was described for the first time in 1917 in the far east region of the United States, attacking american holly, Ilex opaca (Aiton, 1789) (Aquifoliaceae) (TOLEDO et al, 2018;GRONER, 2023). The first report in Brazil occurred in 1950 in coffee tillages in the state of São Paulo (TOLEDO et al, 2018).…”

“…The coffee red spider mite, Oligonychus ilicis (McGregor, 1917) (Acari: Tetranychidae), was described for the first time in 1917 in the far east region of the United States, attacking american holly, Ilex opaca (Aiton, 1789) (Aquifoliaceae) (TOLEDO et al, 2018;GRONER, 2023). The first report in Brazil occurred in 1950 in coffee tillages in the state of São Paulo (TOLEDO et al, 2018). In the state of Espírito Santo, O. ilicis is considered the second biggest pest of the Conilon coffee, Coffea canephora (Pierre & Froehner, 1897) (Rubiaceae) (Franco et al, 2021;Gomes et al, 2023).…”

“…Usually, the most used management method is chemical control, but when made incorrectly it can increase the mite's populational level, develop resistant populations, and eliminate populations of natural enemies (Liburd et al, 2019;Andrade et al, 2020;Piffer et al, 2023). In this context, the use of products based on secondary metabolites extracted from plants DELOS: Desarrollo Local Sostenible, Curitiba, v.17, n.54, p. 01-20, 2024 represents a more sustainable path to control arthropod pests (Toledo et al, 2018;Babaz et al, 2021;Gomes et al, 2023;Magnago et al, 2023).…”