Predatory mites, a green pesticide, and an Entomopathogenic compound: A proposed IPM tactic based on pest species diversity indices and population dynamics

Abstract

The study was aimed to conduct the population dynamics and diversity indices for three major pest species in order to design an IPM protocol in two experimental sites (Om Saber, Beheira Governorate 30°29′50.6″N, 30°46′18.8″E), and (Kom Oshim, Fayoum Governorate 29°34′40.9″N, 30°55′38.3″E). The resulted data showed statistically significant fluctuation, population dynamics, abundance, distribution, and diversity indices of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), the silver leaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and the onion thrips Thrips tabaci Lindman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) which recorded on four plant species belonging to Brassicaceae (Siberian (Russian) kale Brassica napus var. pabularia L. and Italian (Tuscan) kale Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia), and Lamiaceae (Spearmint Mentha spicata L. and Saudi Mint Mentha longifolia L.). The proposed IPM program consisted of predatory mites; Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, and Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski & Amitai) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a green pesticide, and an entomopathogenic compound. It was concluded that abiotic and biotic factors together help in explaining why various pest species build their communities rapidly and increase their parameters that become above the EIL. Such factors are hypothesized to affect the plant-arthropod, predator-herbivore, predator-predator, and tri-trophic interactions. And it recommends the application of such protocol should consider the timing of tacking an action and merging tactics together to get the maximum efficiency.