Population growth performance of Panonychus ulmi Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) on different fruit trees

The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an important pest species on deciduous plants in Turkey, especially on apple. In this study, development, survival, and reproduction of European red mite, P. ulmi were studied on different host plants under laboratory conditions (25±2 °C,% 60±10 RH and16:8 L:D photoperiod). Population performance of P. ulmi was obtained on its different host plants including apple (Malus communis L.), quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.), cherry (Prunus avium L.), and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L). The life history raw data of P. ulmi were analyzed by using the age-stage, two-sex life table. Results indicated that the highest net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase as well as the longest mean generation time, were obtained on apple cv. Starking delicious. The population projection simulated by using life tables based on the 0.025th and 0.975th bootstrap results of the finite rate of increase displayed the same trend with population growth parameters. Results suggested that apple cv. Starking Delicious was the favorable host for P. ulmi, however, there is potential for the pest to become a serious pest on other host plants tested under favorable conditions.

Factors and mechanisms of acaricide resistance in European red mite (Panonychus ulmi Koch)

Inadequate choice and application of control measures for agricultural pests, ectoparasites of livestock and domestic animals, vectors and reservoirs of various diseases of human medicine and veterinary importance in urban areas has caused the resistance occurrence and cross-resistance in a large number of arthropods. Their control is becoming increasingly difficult and challenging. For example, the use of acaricides is indispensable in the control of European red mite (Panonychus ulmi, Acari: Tetranychide), but also for other species from this family that are all significant pests in agricultural production, horticulture and forestry. The resistance occurrence and maintenance and cross-resistance in arthropods is a global phenomenon. The aim of this paper was to present the resistance factors and mechanisms in Panonychus ulmi control and to list the active substances for which there was an evidence that resistance has been acquired, all with the goal of pointing out the problem of resistance in this species and highlight the ways to prevent it. The occurrence and evolution of resistant arthropod populations could have multiple consequences that can be observed from an agricultural, economic, health, and environmental perspective.

Assessment of Dimensions in Order to Aid Classification of European Red Mite and Two-Spotted Spider Mite by Means of Digital Imaging of Infected Leaves

The methods currently used to assess orchard infestation are time-consuming and do not take into account non-adult forms of mites, due to their small size. Advance in digital imaging technology, however, has resulted in the discovery of a more viable method to enable a fast and reliable assessment of orchard infestation. Digital images of infected apple leaves were made and examined for the presence of European red mites and two-spotted spider mites. As well as adult mites, non-adult European red mite forms were also encountered. After extracting all objects considered as mites from the image, imaging software was then used to assess their dimension and shape parameters. Length, width, area, and equivalent diameter were different for all three observed mite groups: adult female European red mites, possible non-adult European red mites and adult two-spotted spider mites. Differences in circularity and elongation were found in adult two-spotted spider mites and various forms of European red mites, while the perimeter was similar in adult European red mites and two-spotted spider mites, and different in the non-adult forms of European red mites. However, as the ranges of 95% prediction intervals for these features overlap, a combination of at least two features as well as employing statistical procedures may greatly increase the probability of appropriate classification of the observed objects as different mites.

Pathogenicity of Isaria fumosorosea to European red mite in the laboratory

http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/2175-7925.2017v30n1p73A vitivinicultura no estado do Rio Grande do Sul tem sofrido infestações significativas de ácaros praga, destacando-se recentemente Panonychus ulmi (Koch). Há relatos sobre a capacidade de controle de ácaros fitófagos com Isaria fumosorosea. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar em laboratório a ação patogênica de I. fumosorosea sobre o ácaro P. ulmi. As criações de P. ulmi foram estabelecidas a partir de coleta realizadas em videiras da Serra Gaúcha. Sobre os ovos de P. ulmi, as aplicações de suspensões de esporos foram feitas em diferentes concentrações. As triplicatas das fêmeas de 12 a 15 dias foram tratadas com suspensão a 108 esporos x mL-1. As testemunhas foram tratadas com água destilada. Após sete dias da aplicação, observaram-se 55,6% de ovos não eclodidos tratados com suspensão 106 esporos x mL-1 e com fêmeas tratadas obteve-se uma mortalidade total entre 85-90% e mortalidade confirmada entre 50-55%. A mortalidade máxima dos controles no tratamento dos ovos e das fêmeas foi, em média, de 12,8 e 15,5%, respectivamente. Conclui-se que o isolado I. fumosorosea possui habilidade para infectar ovos e fêmeas adultas de P. ulmi e portanto mostra-se como uma alternativa viável para ser experimentada no campo.