Compatibility of Neoseiulus paspalivorus and Proctolaelaps bickleyi, candidate biocontrol agents of the coconut mite Aceria guerreronis: spatial niche use and intraguild predation

AbstractWhen two or more parasitoid species, particularly candidates for biocontrol, share the same target in the same temporal window, a complex of behaviors can occur among them. We studied the type of interactions (competition and intraguild predation) that existed between the nymphal parasitoids Anagyrus cachamai and A. lapachosus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), two candidate neoclassical biocontrol agents against the Puerto Rican cactus pest mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). The surrogate native congener host in Argentina, the cactus mealybug Hypogeococcus sp., was studied to predict which species should be released; in the case that both should be released, in which order, and their potential impact on host suppression. In the laboratory we conducted experiments where different densities of the host mealybug were exposed to naive females of A. cachamai and A. lapachosus sequentially in both directions. Experiments were analyzed by combining a series of competitive behavioral and functional response models. A fully Bayesian approach was used to select the best explaining models and calculate their parameters. Intraguild predation existed between A. cachamai, the species that had the greatest ability to exploit the resource, and A. lapachosus, the strongest species in the interference competition. The role that intraguild predation played in suppression of Hypogeococcus sp. indicated that a multiple release strategy for the two biocontrol agents would produce better control than a single release; as for the release order, A. lapachosus should be released first.

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Coconut destiny after the invasion of Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae) in India*

Zoosymposia ◽

10.11646/zoosymposia.6.1.26 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 160-169 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. A. HAQ

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Critical Assessment ◽

Bakery Products ◽

Aceria Guerreronis ◽

Agricultural Income ◽

Northern India ◽

Coconut Mite ◽

Farming Community ◽

The People ◽

Considerable Damage

The coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer, has emerged as a common menace to most of the coconut plantations in India. After its first upsurge in Kerala at the end of the 1990´s, the mite has spread to many states in southern and northern India, causing considerable damage. Coconut provides one third of the agricultural income in the regions in which it is grown and more than 10 million people are dependent on this cash crop directly or indirectly through coconut-based industries like coir, copra, oil, honey, furniture, handicrafts, beverages, bakery products and so on. The economic instability of the coconut farming community and the people employed in coconut-based industries rank the highest order. A critical assessment of the various problems created by A. guerreronis in the agricultural economy of India is presented in order to supplement data on crop loss through nut malformation, nut fall, loss in fibre and copra. Varietal differences in susceptibility of the plant and future strategies in terms of management practices for an early control of the mite are discussed, and suggestions for future activities to alleviate mite damage are presented.

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Rearing of coconut mite Aceria guerreronis and the predatory mite Neoseiulus baraki in the laboratory

Experimental and Applied Acarology ◽

10.1007/s10493-007-9125-7 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 37-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

P. H. P. R. De Silva ◽

L. C. P. Fernando

Keyword(s):

Predatory Mite ◽

Aceria Guerreronis ◽

Coconut Mite ◽

Neoseiulus Baraki

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The invasive coconut mite Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae): origin and invasion sources inferred from mitochondrial (16S) and nuclear (ITS) sequences

Bulletin of Entomological Research ◽

10.1079/ber2005382 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 95 (6) ◽

pp. 505-516 ◽

Cited By ~ 75

Author(s):

D. Navia ◽

G.J. de Moraes ◽

G. Roderick ◽

M. Navajas

Keyword(s):

Sequence Data ◽

Common Source ◽

Aceria Guerreronis ◽

Dna Sequence Data ◽

Coconut Mite ◽

Ocean Region ◽

Invasion Routes ◽

History Of ◽

Nuclear Its ◽

Production Areas

AbstractOver the past 30 years the coconut mite Aceria guerreronis Keifer has emerged as one of the most important pests of coconut and has recently spread to most coconut production areas worldwide. The mite has not been recorded in the Indo-Pacific region, the area of origin of coconut, suggesting that it has infested coconut only recently. To investigate the geographical origin, ancestral host associations, and colonization history of the mite, DNA sequence data from two mitochondrial and one nuclear region were obtained from samples of 29 populations from the Americas, Africa and the Indo-ocean region. Mitochondrial DNA 16S ribosomal sequences were most diverse in Brazil, which contained six of a total of seven haplotypes. A single haplotype was shared by non-American mites. Patterns of nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) variation were similar, again with the highest nucleotide diversity found in Brazil. These results suggest an American origin of the mite and lend evidence to a previous hypothesis that the original host of the mite is a non-coconut palm. In contrast to the diversity in the Americas, all samples from Africa and Asia were identical or very similar, consistent with the hypothesis that the mite invaded these regions recently from a common source. Although the invasion routes of this mite are still only partially reconstructed, the study rules out coconut as the ancestral host of A. guerreronis, thus prompting a reassessment of efforts using quarantine and biological control to check the spread of the pest.

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Effect of prey and pollen on interactions between Typhlodromus bagdasarjani and Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on cucumber (Cucurbitaceae)

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/tce.2017.28 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 149 (5) ◽

pp. 581-591

Author(s):

Mona Moghadasi ◽

Hossein Allahyari

Keyword(s):

Tetranychus Urticae ◽

Intraguild Predation ◽

Consumption Rate ◽

Phytoseiulus Persimilis ◽

Predation Rate ◽

Oviposition Rate ◽

Biocontrol Agents ◽

Presence And Absence ◽

Nonsignificant Effect ◽

Predation Rates

AbstractIntraguild predation is a notable factor to proper application of biocontrol agents to reduce pest populations. Intraguild predation was studied between Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein and Arutunjan (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in presence and absence of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) as well as pollen. Intraguild predation between two predators was bidirectional. The highest and the lowest predation rates of both predators in absence and presence of T. urticae as well as in the pollen treatments were on heterospecific eggs and deutonymphs, respectively. Typhlodromus bagdasarjani consumed more heterospecific eggs compared with P. persimilis. When pollen was added, predation of T. bagdasarjani significantly reduced on heterospecific eggs and deutonymphs in absence and presence of T. urticae treatments, respectively. However, predation rate of P. persimilis on heterospecific stages was not significantly affected by pollen addition. Oviposition of both predators was higher in presence of T. urticae than in its absence and oviposition of P. persimilis was significantly higher on heterospecific stages than T. bagdasarjani. Pollen addition had a significant effect on increasing the oviposition rate of T. bagdasarjani. Extraguild prey presence had a nonsignificant effect on the consumption rate of intraguild prey by the intraguild predators. However, presence of extraguild prey led to a significant increase in oviposition rate of both predators.

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Geographical and seasonal distribution of the coconut mite, Aceria guerreonis (Acari: Eriophyidae), in Puerto Rico and Florida, USA

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v74i3.6656 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 74 (3) ◽

pp. 237-251

Author(s):

Forrest W. Howard ◽

Edwin Abreu-Rodríguez ◽

Harold A. Denmark

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

Florida Keys ◽

Mite Species ◽

Planting Density ◽

Population Fluctuations ◽

Aceria Guerreronis ◽

Coconut Mite ◽

Amblyseius Largoensis ◽

Almost All ◽

First Time

The coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer, was collected for the first time in Puerto Rico in 1977. It was reported for the first time in Florida in 1984, although it may have been present in the state since the 1950s. On the basis of damage symptoms observed during 1986-87, the coconut mite was distributed in almost all plantings of coconut in Puerto Rico. The percentage of trees with symptoms was highest on the west coast, where planting density is highest. During the same period, the percentage of coconut palms infested with coconut mites varied from 66 to 98% at different sites on the Florida Keys. On the Florida mainland, the percentage of trees with coconut mite damage was usually less than 7%. At several sites on the Florida mainland revisited in 1988, coconut mites had spread locally. At Playa Tres Hermanos in Añasco, Puerto Rico, and Bahía Honda Key, Florida, where monthly sampling was conducted, coconut mite population fluctuations did not appear to be strongly associated with dry and wet periods or mean daily temperatures. A list of mite species associated with the coconut mite was reported. It included four species reported for the first time in Puerto Rico. In Puerto Rico, Bdella distincta preyed on both coconut mite and Steneotarsonemus furcatus. In Florida, Amblyseius largoensis, Neoseiulos mumai, and N. paspalivorus were observed preying on coconut mites. However, these predators apparently do not significantly affect coconut mite populations. Tarsonemus sp. inflicted damage on the coconut similar to that caused by the coconut mite. Coconut mites beneath tepals of coconuts exposed to —1.5° C for 5.5 hours were not affected adversely by this treatment. Some eggs remained viable after exposure to —3° C up to 5 hours. Coconut mites survived at 5° C for 10 days. Thus, coconut mites are capable of surviving most winters on the Florida mainland.

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Postembryonic development of the coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis, on coconut in Kerala, India*

Zoosymposia ◽

10.11646/zoosymposia.6.1.12 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 68-71 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

T. R. SOBHA ◽

M. A. HAQ

Keyword(s):

Average Length ◽

Postembryonic Development ◽

Optimum Temperature ◽

Single Female ◽

Aceria Guerreronis ◽

Quiescent Period ◽

Coconut Mite ◽

Adult Females ◽

Immature Development ◽

Longitudinal Slit

The coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Eriophyidae), has invaded and caused significant problems to most of the coconut plantations in southern India. Several factors appear favorable for the invasion of the mite, especially continuous availability of young fruits suitable for attack and optimum temperature most of the year. This study was conducted to evaluate details of the morphology of the immature stages and the development of A. guerreronis on coconut. It was conducted in a laboratory at 28 ± 2°C and 80% RH. The eggs were small (66 ± 4 and 41 ± 2ìm for long and short axes), and a single female laid an average of 66 ± 4 eggs during 15 days of oviposition period. Incubation period lasted 2.5–3.5 days. Hatching was completed in about 30 minutes. The larva emerged through a longitudinal slit on the surface of the egg.Almost transparent and sluggish and measuring 87 ± 12ìm long, it started feeding soon after emergence. The active period of the larva lasted 1.5–2.5 days, being followed by a quiescent period that lasted about one day. The nymph measured 176 ± 11ìm in length; the active and quiescent periods of this stage lasted 2 and 0.5–1.5 days, respectively. Adult females had an average length of 224 ± 9ìm. Eight to ten days were necessary for immature development.

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Influence Of Competition And Intraguild Predation Between Two Candidate Biocontrol Parasitoids On Their Potential Impact Against Harrisia Cactus Mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-480439/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

María B. Aguirre ◽

Octavio A. Bruzzone ◽

Serguei V. Triapitsyn ◽

Hilda Diaz-Soltero ◽

Stephen D. Hight ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intraguild Predation ◽

Interference Competition ◽

Biocontrol Agents ◽

Parasitoid Species ◽

Temporal Window ◽

Response Models ◽

Potential Impact ◽

Functional Response Models ◽

Fully Bayesian ◽

Release Strategy

Abstract When two or more parasitoid species, particularly candidates for biocontrol, share the same target in the same temporal window, a complex of behaviors can occur among them. We studied the type of interactions (competition and intraguild predation) that existed between the nymphal parasitoids Anagyrus cachamai and A. lapachosus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), two candidate neoclassical biocontrol agents against the Puerto Rican cactus pest mealybug, Hypogeococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). The surrogate native congener host in Argentina, the cactus mealybug Hypogeococcus sp., was studied to predict which species should be released; in the case that both should be released, in which order, and their potential impact on host suppression. In the laboratory we conducted experiments where different densities of the host mealybug were exposed to naive females of A. cachamai and A. lapachosus sequentially in both directions. Experiments were analyzed by combining a series of competitive behavioral and functional response models. A fully Bayesian approach was used to select the best explaining models and calculate their parameters. Intraguild predation existed between A. cachamai, the species that had the greatest ability to exploit the resource, and A. lapachosus, the strongest species in the interference competition. The role that intraguild predation played in suppression of Hypogeococcus sp. indicated that a multiple release strategy for the two biocontrol agents would produce better control than a single release; as for the release order, A. lapachosus should be released first.

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Coconut mite, Acathrix trymatus (Keifer)

EDIS ◽

10.32473/edis-in351-2001 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 2004 (5) ◽

Author(s):

W. C. Welbourn

Keyword(s):

Cooperative Extension ◽

The Philippines ◽

Cooperative Extension Service ◽

Extension Service ◽

Aceria Guerreronis ◽

University Of Florida ◽

Coconut Mite ◽

Agricultural Sciences ◽

Short Seta

Acathrix trymatus was originally described by Keifer (1962b) from specimens collected in the folds of newly emerging coconut fronds in the Philippines. Keifer's generic name, Acathrix, means "short seta" for the minute scapular setae on the prodorsal sclerite of this species (Keifer 1962b). Briones (1963) investigated A. trymatus and three other eriophyid species on Philippine coconut palms and found their feeding did little damage and did not transmit cadang-cadang disease. This document is EENY-194 (originally published as DPI Entomology Circular 383), one of a series of Featured Creatures from the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Published: January 2001. EENY-194/IN351: Coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis (Keifer) (ufl.edu)

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