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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Fort Lauderdale, Florida » Invasive Plant Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #399036
Research Project: Development and Implementation of Biological Control Programs for Natural Area Weeds in the Southeastern United States

Location: Invasive Plant Research Laboratory

Title: First Report of predatory mites feeding on Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), a biological control agent for Old World climbing fern in Florida

Author
item Crees, Logan
item Aquino-Thomas, Jessene
item LAKE, ELLEN - Former ARS Employee
item Madeira, Paul
item Smith, Melissa

Submitted to: Florida Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/2024
Publication Date: 6/21/2024
Citation: Crees, L.D., Aquino-Thomas, J.M., Lake, E.C., Madeira, P.T., Smith, M. 2024. First Report of predatory mites feeding on Floracarus perrepae (Acariformes: Eriophyidae), a biological control agent for Old World climbing fern in Florida. Florida Entomologist. Fla. Entomol. 2024; 107(s1): 2024002.

Interpretive Summary: Floracarus perrepae is a biological control agent released to control Lygodium microphyllum, a harmful wildland weed in Florida. During the course of mass rearing, we discovered that populations in rearing colonies were being impacted by heretofore unidentified and unobserved predatory mites. This is the first observation of this behavior in Florida and could impact rearing and establishment.

Technical Abstract: Lygodium microphyllum, or Old World climbing fern is a harmful environmental weed in peninsular Florida. This pan tropical fern smothers native vegetation, alters fire dynamics and is extremely difficult to control using tradition chemical and mechanical removal. Three biological control agents have beeen released to control it, one of which is the eriophyid mite, Floracarus perrepae. This mite is the most widely spread herbivore on L. microphyllum in the native range and now has many self-sustaining populations in Florida. As part of a large-scale Everglades restoration project, the Invasive Plant Research Laboratory mass rears and releases biological control agents to restore native Everglades communities. To date, more than 3 million mites have been released from colonies in Fort Lauderdale. Within the mass rearing colonies, populations fluctuate due to climatic factors, but technicians also noticed that galls appeared predated. Upon close inspection, we discovered that a heretofore unobserved and unidentified predatory mite was feeding on mites within the galls. Work is underway to determine if these mites are present in wild populations and to determine if the species has an identification.