Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Experimental and Applied Acarology

Publication Date

12-1-2008

Abstract

The spider mites Tetranychus urticae Koch and Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard are important pests of horticultural crops. They are infected by entomopathogenic fungi naturally or experimentally. Fungal pathogens known to cause high infection in spider mite populations belong to the order Entomophthorales and include Neozygites spp. Studies are being carried out to develop some of these fungi as mycoacaricides, as stand-alone control measures in an inundative strategy to replace the synthetic acaricides currently in use or as a component of integrated mite management. Although emphasis has been put on inundative releases, entomopathogenic fungi can also be used in classical, conservation and augmentative biological control. Permanent establishment of an exotic agent in a new area of introduction may be possible in the case of spider mites. Conservation biological control can be achieved by identifying strategies to promote any natural enemies already present within crop ecosystems, based on a thorough understanding of their biology, ecology and behaviour. Further research should focus on development of efficient mass production systems, formulation, and delivery systems of fungal pathogens. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Keywords

Biological control, Entomopathogenic fungi, Horticulture, Integrated pest management, Spider mites, Tetranychidae, Tetranychus evansi, Tetranychus urticae

PubMed ID

18685956

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