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Title: Early establishment of the phytoseiid mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on pepper seedlings in a Predator-In-First approach

Author
item KUMAR, VIVEK - University Of Florida
item XIAO, YINGFANG - University Of Florida
item McKenzie, Cindy
item OSBORNE, LANCE - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Experimental and Applied Acarology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/2/2015
Publication Date: 3/13/2015
Citation: Kumar, V., Xiao, Y., McKenzie, C.L., Osborne, L.S. 2015. Early establishment of the phytoseiid mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on pepper seedlings in a Predator-In-First approach. Experimental and Applied Acarology. 65(1):465-481.

Interpretive Summary: Predator-In-First (PIF) is a novel biological-based approach for sustainable control of thrips and other key pests that threaten pepper production in protected and outdoor culture. In the current study pepper plants were used as a model crop system and the key component of this method involves the release of specific predatory mites on un-infested seedlings before transplanting. PIF approach aims to establish biological control in the critical post-transplanting period. This is significant because natural enemies generally do not establish until later in the season when thrips or other pest’s population have built up. PIF utilizes the characteristics of generalist predatory mites which can feed and reproduce on host plant pollen/nectar in the absence of their prey. Here we present the results of the first part of the project which was focused on assessing the comparative suitability of commercially grown pepper cultivars (hot and sweet) to sustain predatory mites in absence of their prey. Beginning with 29 pepper cultivars after series of screening studies, four cultivars were selected which will be further tested for applicability of PIF in greenhouse and field condition. Indirect method of mites release using banker plants was observed a better mode of mite inoculation than direct release method.

Technical Abstract: Establishment of biocontrol agents is critical for success of a biological control strategy. Predator-In-First (PIF) is a novel approach towards establishing predators before the appearance of pests in an agro-ecosystem. PIF utilizes the characteristics of type III generalist phytoseiid mites, which can survive on pollen and nectar provisioned by its host plant, and establish in the absence of their prey. The early establishment of the proactive population of natural enemies helps target the pests at their incipient stage of infestation. The current study was undertaken to screen pepper (used as a model crop) cultivars for their ability to support phytoseiid mite populations Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot under no prey conditions. Twenty-nine pepper cultivars (11 hot and 18 sweet) were tested through a series of experiments, and four cultivars (7141, 992-7141, FPP7039 and FPP9048) were found to sustain A. swirskii populations throughout the study period. Initial application of pollen and the presence of domatia in the pepper cultivars were found to be important factors for successful establishment and maintenance of mites. Recovery of mites on host plants was significantly higher (~2-3 fold) on the four mite-sustaining cultivars when mites were mass released using an indirect method (banker plants) than when they were released directly on the host plants, suggesting an advantage of passive continuous release. Future work will evaluate the selected pepper cultivars with the PIF strategy under greenhouse and field conditions.