scholarly journals An assemblage of predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) associated with a potential biocontrol agent (Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Eriophyidae) for weed Galium spurium (Rubiaceae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 2082
Author(s):  
Min Ma ◽  
Qing-Hai Fan ◽  
Zhi-Qiang Zhang

The weed Galium aparine L., commonly known as cleavers or goose grass, is an exotic plant in New Zealand (Webb et al. 1988; Reid 1998). Craemer et al. (1999) described a new gall mite species, Cecidophyes rouhollahi Craemer (Acari: Eriophyidae), from this weed in France and suggested that this new species might have potential as a biological control agent against G. spurium L. in Canada and western US where the weed was becoming more problematic (Malik & Vanden Born 1988; Whitson 1991). This mite species was later shown to result in severe stunting and complete prevention of seed production in a related weed G. spurium in greenhouse tests and was approved for field release against this weed in Canada (Sobhian et al. 2004). This mite species was recently reported on G. aparine from Auckland, New Zealand (Martin 2017). Mites prefer feeding on the young terminal leaves and can induce the leaf edges to roll inwards and curl (Fig. 1A, B, E). Martin (2017) noted: “No natural enemies of this species of mite have been recorded, but predatory mites may feed on these mites”. We report here on an assemblage of predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) associated with C. rouhollahi on G. aparine in Auckland.

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Jess ◽  
J.F.W. Bingham

AbstractIn small-scale experiments, the predatory mites, Hypoaspis aculeifer (Canestrini) and H. miles Berlese, applied at 700 mites m−2, and the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) applied at 3 × 10−6 nematodes m−2 controlled sciarids and phorids in mushroom compost and casing substrates. For both mite species, earliest application to the growing substrate following sciarid infestation reduced sciarid emergence. In contrast, later application of each biological control agent provided more effective control of phorid emergence. The behaviour of adult mites suggested that H. aculeifer were more positively geotactic than H. miles although both species could penetrate compost and casing substrates to a depth of 2–12 cm. A majority of S. feltiae nematodes resided at a depth of 2–4 cm in both substrate types. Independent application of H. aculeifer provided more comprehensive control of sciarids and phorids than the other biological agents studied, owing to its better dispersal within compost and casing, and ability to attack larvae of differing ages.


2012 ◽  
Vol 65 ◽  
pp. 81-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Paynter ◽  
A.H. Gourlay ◽  
C.A. Rolando ◽  
M.S. Watt

The gall mite Aceria genistae a biological control agent of Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius was first released in New Zealand in 2007 The dispersal ability of A genistae was investigated to determine whether slow dispersal might limit its ability to control Scotch broom in forestry plantations where a rapid impact of biocontrol is required Transects were set up from the original release plants at four sites in Canterbury New Zealand and the presence or absence of galled plants was recorded at increasing distances from the release plants until no more galled plants could be found The maximum dispersal rate recorded was 833 m/year which is unlikely to be fast enough to greatly benefit forestry in New Zealand Techniques may have to be developed to enhance mite dispersal in forestry plantations


2015 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 446-446
Author(s):  
D.J. Wilson ◽  
P.J. Gerard

Spiny snout mite (Neomolgus capillatus) is a potential biocontrol agent for clover flea (Sminthurus viridis) a white clover pest on dairy farms in warmer and wetter parts of New Zealand In the 1990s this mite was introduced from Brittany France into Tasmania for clover flea control Results during the release programme were highly promising and subsequent anecdotal farmer reports indicate widespread decreases in damage As N capillatus is a predatory mite and already known to attack nontarget organisms habitat specificity will determine whether it could be introduced into New Zealand without risk to native insects To assess this pastures on nine of the original Tasmanian release farms and adjacent nontarget habitats ranging from bush wetlands eucalypt stands to sand dune country were sampled in April 2014 Litter samples were collected heat extracted and mite species identified Neomolgus capillatus was found at effective densities in pastures that had good clover cover Where present it displaced Bdellodes spp mites that are ineffective against clover flea No N capillatus were found in the nontarget habitats all of which lacked clover and contained other predatory mites including Bdellodes spp Therefore the preference by N capillatus for lush pastures makes it an excellent prospect for introduction as a biocontrol agent into clover flea prone regions of New Zealand


2018 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 352
Author(s):  
Aymee S.R. Lewis ◽  
Toni M. Withers ◽  
Helen F. Nahrung ◽  
Rebecca L. McDougal ◽  
Chris A.M. Reid ◽  
...  

Paropsisterna variicollis, the eucalyptus variegated beetle, was first detected in New Zealand in 2016. It threatens a growing eucalyptus forestry sector through larvae and adults causing significant defoliation to important plantation species. This work aimed to clarify the identification and origin of the New Zealand incursion to inform selection of suitable biological control agent(s). Australian and New Zealand specimens from the Paropsisterna obovata-variicollis-cloelia species complex were analysed by PCR and sequencing of two genetic loci, cytochrome c subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cyt b). Molecular analysis of both genetic regions showed three major clusters of diversity. Cluster 1, proposed as Paropsisterna variicollis, had maximum 1.3% genetic variation and was collected from New Zealand, Western Australia and from geographically diverse locations in eastern Australia. Taxonomic results identified distinctive phenotypes of other closely related beetle species, assisting in proposing Cluster 2 as Paropsisterna near decolorata and Cluster 3 as Paropsisterna agricola. Molecular results were compared to morphological structures on adult beetles.


Author(s):  
T. V. Andrianova

Abstract A description is provided for Stagonospora atriplicis, a potential biological control agent of Atriplex and Chenopodium weeds. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution (Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Canada, USA, Colombia, Cyprus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, UK, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine and Hawaii) and hosts (Allenrolfea occidentalis, Atriplex spp., Chenopodium spp. and Syzygium guineense).


2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Osterbauer ◽  
A. Trippe ◽  
K. French ◽  
T. Butler ◽  
M. C. Aime ◽  
...  

Phragmidium violaceum occurs on several species of Rubus, including R. armeniacus, R. fruticosus agg., and R. laciniatus, in Europe, South Africa, Iran, and Iraq, and has been introduced as a biological control agent for invasive blackberries in Australia, New Zealand, and Chile. To our knowledge, this is the first official report of P. violaceum infecting Himalaya and evergreen blackberries in North America. Accepted for publication 16 September 2005. Published 23 September 2005.


1999 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.S. McClay ◽  
J.L. Littlefield ◽  
J. Kashefi

AbstractA European gall mite, Aceria malherbae Nuzzaci, was released and established in southern Alberta and Montana as a biological control agent for field bindweed, Convolvulus arvensis L. (Convolvulaceae). Populations of the mite survived for up to 4 years at some sites and caused slight to severe damage to the weed. The establishment of A. malherbae in these areas suggests that it could be established throughout the North American range of field bindweed.


1974 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Caresche ◽  
A. J. Wapshere

AbstractThe Eriophyid gall mite, Aceria chondrillae (G. Can.), which is distributed from south-east Russia to Portugal, was studied in the Mediterranean region as part of a biological control programme against skeleton weed (Chondrilla juncea) for Australia. The mite induces the vegetative and flower buds of Chondrilla to form leafy galls in which the full life-cycle is completed, causing stunting of the plant and reducing seeding. The mite overwinters in the rosettes of C. juncea without inducing gall development or reproducing. Populations decrease markedly during winter, recover in spring and infestations spread rapidly during summer. Reproduction is sexual and spermatophores are deposited by the males. Amblyseius sp. preys on A. chondrillae without marked effect. Tests made by placing fully developed galls of A. chondrillae on 75 species of plant including certain Cichoriaceae closely related to Chondrilla showed that the mite was highly specific to Chondrilla. Comparative tests with four geographical strains of A. chondrillae against six forms of C. juncea of various geographical origins indicated that the strains were specialised to their usual host form of the plant. A Greek strain of the mite readily attacked the main Australian form of C. juncea, and this strain has been introduced into Australia as a biological control agent for the weed.


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