Diversity and abundance of phytoseiid mites in natural vegetation in the vicinity of apple orchards in Japan

Abstract

Mite species of the family Phytoseiidae, which includes some important natural enemies of spider mites and insect pests, found on wild plants in the vicinity of apple orchards in north Japan, were studied during 2001 to 2006. Euseius finlandicus, Typhlodromus vulgaris, and Amblyseius orientalis were recognized as the dominant species of phytoseiid mites in natural vegetation. Of 18 plant species, 5 hosted an abundant number of phytoseiid mites. Especially on Viburnum dilatatum and Morus australis, the density of phytoseiid mites on leaves was low in spring and increased gradually until autumn. When we used a "Phyto trap" as a tool to collect phytoseiid mites walking on branches, the density on V. dilatatum was high in spring and low in autumn. Phytoseiid mites in traps on M. australis had 2 peaks of occurrence, in spring and autumn. Transeius fulvus was not collected from leaves but from traps, and E. finlandicus was not collected from traps but from leaves.

The succession of phytophagous and phytoseiid species in a newly planted apple orchard without insecticide applications

“…In the fourth year,the seven phytoseiid mite species that occurred in the apple orchard were also observed on wild plants in the vicinity of the apple orchard (Toyoshima and Amano, 2006;Toyoshima et al, 2008). While the rate of migration into orchards has been reported to be dependent upon species present on wild plants, the establishment of mite populations within orchards is not dependent on the surrounding natural vegetation .…”

“…141°13"E). The experimental plot was located adjacent to natural vegetation, hereafter referred to as the uncultivated area, which was 10 m away from the nearest edge of the experimental area, and in which phytoseiid mites were investigated previously (Toyoshima et al, 2008). In 2003, 60 plantlets without branches (cv.…”

“…These previous studies also collected 18 species of phytoseiid mites from 18 plant species in the natural vegetation around the apple orchard, and phytophagous mites were scarce (Toyoshima and Amano, 2006;Toyoshima et al, 2008). Since phytoseiid mites have been reported to migrate aerially from uncultivated areas into orchards and vineyards (Hoy, 1982;Tixier et al, 1998;Tixier et al, 2000), it is possible that several species of mites may have migrated from the natural vegetation surrounding the orchard into the orchard itself.…”

Management of apple orchards to conserve generalist phytoseiid mites suppresses two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

“…Phytoseiid mites are major predators of spider mites on various crops (e.g., Croft et al 1990;Duso and Pasqualetto 1993;Kawashima and Amano 2006;McMurtry et al 1970;Toyoshima et al 2008). They had seldom appeared in commercial apple orchards until recently, because most are highly susceptible to the broad-spectrum insecticides used in orchards (Sekita 1985).…”

Development and Oviposition of Six Native Phytoseiid Species (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Reared on Pink Citrus Rust Mite, Aculops pelekassi (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae)

“…Although P. nipponicus has been collected from Hokkaido to Kyushu including citrus-growing areas (Toyoshima et al, 2013), the information of basic biological characteristics of this species is limited (Gotoh et al, 2007;Kishimoto et al, 2014;Sudo et al, 2010;Toyoshima et al, 2008). Thus, as the next step, further studies are needed to accumulate more detailed data on the habitat plants and alternative foods of P. nipponicus.…”