Typhlodromips swirskii

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Typhlodromips swirskii
Scientific classification
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T. swirskii
Binomial name
Typhlodromips swirskii
Synonyms
  • Amblyseius rykei
  • Amblyseius swirskii
  • Neoseiulus swirskii
  • Typhlodromips swirskii

Typhlodromips swirskii, the Swirski mite (synonymy: Amblyseius swirskii, Amblyseius rykei, Neoseiulus swirskii), is a species of predatory mite in the family Phytoseiidae. It is used in biological pest control of western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)in greenhouse or indoor grown crops. [1]

Contents

Description

The adult T. swirskii has a pear-shaped body and is about 0.5 mm (0.02 in) in length. It has four pairs of legs, the front pair of which points forward, and a small number of paired bristles on the unsegmented body. The colour varies with the diet, being pale yellow or tan when thrips and whitefly are eaten, and reddish on some other diets. It is difficult to distinguish one species of predatory mite from another in the field. [2]

Distribution and habitat

T. swirskii is native to the eastern Mediterranean region where its range includes Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Israel and Egypt. It is used as an agent of biological control on crops such as apple, apricot, citrus, cotton and vegetables. It has been introduced to other parts of the world, where the climate is suitable, including much of Europe, northern Africa, North America, Argentina, China and Japan. [2]

Biology

The life cycle consists of the egg stage, one larval stage, two nymphal stages and an adult stage. The eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves, usually on hairs near the junction of veins. They are oval, whitish and about 0.15 mm (0.006 in) long. They hatch into whitish, non-feeding, semi-transparent larvae with three pairs of legs. These soon develop into the four-legged nymphal stages, and then become adults, both nymphs and adults being predatory. The life cycle takes about five days at 25 °C (77 °F), and the mites can tolerate temperatures between 18 and 36 °C (64 and 97 °F), with 60 percent humidity. [2]

Host range

The host range includes the immature stages of western flower thrips, common blossom thrips, onion thrips, melon thrips and chilli thrips, as well as those of silverleaf whitefly and greenhouse whitefly. It can also consume Asian citrus psyllid, broad mites, [3] and other herbivorous mites. When these prey species are not available, it is able to survive and reproduce on a diet of pollen and plant exudates, although its fecundity and growth rates are reduced under these circumstances. [2] Where two prey species are available, it will prey on the most available one. For example, in a 2016 research project on field grown cucumber plants, it was successful in controlling melon thrips on the leaves, but not common blossom thrips on the flowers of the same plants. [4]

Use in biocontrol

Typhlodromips swirskii is used commercially in Europe and North America for biocontrol of whitefly and thrips in vegetables and ornamentals grown under cover. The cultured mites can be mixed with bran and sprinkled on the crop or spread by air blast. When multiple species of pest are present, it may effectively control one but not another; for example, in field grown cucumbers, it was found to control melon thrips on leaves, but failed to control common blossom thrips on flowers. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biological pest control</span> Controlling pests using other organisms

Biological control or biocontrol is a method of controlling pests, whether pest animals such as insects and mites, weeds, or pathogens affecting animals or plants by using other organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms, but typically also involves an active human management role. It can be an important component of integrated pest management (IPM) programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitefly</span> Family of insects

Whiteflies are Hemipterans that typically feed on the undersides of plant leaves. They comprise the family Aleyrodidae, the only family in the superfamily Aleyrodoidea. More than 1550 species have been described.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thrips</span> Order of insects

Thrips are minute, slender insects with fringed wings and unique asymmetrical mouthparts. Entomologists have described approximately 7,700 species. They fly only weakly and their feathery wings are unsuitable for conventional flight; instead, thrips exploit an unusual mechanism, clap and fling, to create lift using an unsteady circulation pattern with transient vortices near the wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silverleaf whitefly</span> Species of true bug

The silverleaf whitefly is one of several species of whitefly that are currently important agricultural pests. A review in 2011 concluded that the silverleaf whitefly is actually a species complex containing at least 40 morphologically indistinguishable species.

<i>Polyphagotarsonemus latus</i> Species of mite

The broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, is a microscopic species of mite found on many species of plants, spanning 60 families including important agricultural species such as cotton, soybean, blackberries, strawberries, peppers, and other fruits. Broad mites are also currently affecting cannabis plants, as the industry matures with legalization. The mites are found in many areas worldwide and are major greenhouse pests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phytoseiidae</span> Family of mites

The Phytoseiidae are a family of mites which feed on thrips and other mite species. They are often used as a biological control agent for managing mite pests. Because of their usefulness as biological control agents, interest in Phytoseiidae has steadily increased over the past century. Public awareness of the biological control potential of invertebrates has been growing, though mainly in the US and Europe. In 1950, there were 34 known species. Today, there are 2,731 documented species organized in 90 genera and three subfamilies.

<i>Stratiolaelaps scimitus</i> Species of mite

Stratiolaelaps scimitus is a small (0.5 mm) light brown mite that lives in the top 12 inch (13 mm) layer of soil. As a natural predator of fungus gnat pupae and of the snail parasite Riccardoella limacum it is used by gardeners and snail breeders for biological pest control. Stratiolaelaps scimitus is also commonly used by reptile, amphibian and invertebrate keepers as a preventative or reactive measure against grain mites and reptile mites. Whereas most mite treatments are based on synthetic chemicals, predatory mites are used as a biological method of preventing and curing mite infestations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western flower thrips</span> Vegetable pest, SW US native, invasive

The western flower thrips [Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande)] is an invasive pest insect in agriculture. This species of thrips is native to the Southwestern United States but has spread to other continents, including Europe, Australia, and South America via transport of infested plant material.

<i>Thrips palmi</i> Species of thrip

Thrips palmi is an insect from the genus Thrips in the order Thysanoptera. It is known commonly as the melon thrips.

<i>Phytoseiulus</i> Genus of mites

Phytoseiulus is a genus of mites in the Phytoseiidae family. A predatory mite, this is the mite predator most frequently used to control two-spotted spider mites in greenhouses and outdoor crops grown in mild environments. This mite was accidentally introduced into Germany from Chile in 1958; it was subsequently shipped to other parts of the world, including California and Florida, from Germany. A Phytoseiulus mite can consume up to seven adult spider mites or several dozen of their eggs in a day. Adult females are reddish, pear-shaped, about 0.5 mm (0.020 in) long, and active at room temperature. Immatures and males are smaller and lighter in color. Eggs are oblong. About 80% are females. At optimum temperatures, Phytoseiidae can develop from egg to adult in seven days and live up to a month. A well-fed female lays about 50 eggs in her lifetime.

<i>Orius insidiosus</i> Species of true bug

Orius insidiosus, common name the insidious flower bug, is a species of minute pirate bug, a predatory insect in the order Hemiptera. They are considered beneficial, as they feed on small pest arthropods and their eggs. They are mass-reared for use in the biological control of thrips.

Neoseiulus californicus is a predatory mite that feeds on Tetranychid mites. This species was first described on lemons from California under the name Typhlodromus californicus in 1954.

<i>Neoseiulus cucumeris</i> Species of mite

Neoseiulus cucumeris, the cucumeris mite, is a species of predatory mite in the family Phytoseiidae. It is used in biological pest control of western flower thrips in cucumber and some other greenhouse crops.

Dicyphus hesperus is a species of true bug in the family Miridae. It is a generalist predator of other insects and also feeds on plant tissues. It is native to North America and has been used there in biological control of agricultural pests, especially whitefly on tomatoes.

Macrolophus caliginosus is a species of true bug in the family Miridae. It is omnivorous and both preys on insects and feeds on plant tissues. It is used in Europe in the biological control of whitefly in tomatoes grown under glass.

Frankliniella schultzei, the common blossom thrips or cotton thrips, is a species of thrips in the family Thripidae. It is found in many parts of the world and is an important pest insect in agriculture.

<i>Echinothrips americanus</i> Species of thrip

Echinothrips americanus is a species of thrips in the family Thripidae. It is found in North America, Europe, and Asia. E. americanus was first described in 1913 by entomologist A.C. Morgan in Quincy, Florida, where he found the insect on a Veratrum viride plant. Suggested common names include Poinsettia thrips and Impatiens thrips. Since their spread throughout Europe as early as 1995, and subsequently China, E. americanus has been called an "upcoming pest."

Neothrips is a genus of thrips in the family Phlaeothripidae. According to Kirk and Terry (2003), Neothrips fasciatus, also known as the greenhouse thrips, is a major pest of greenhouse crops worldwide, causing damage to leaves, flowers, and fruits, and transmitting plant viruses. Similarly, Mound and Tree (2016) reported the discovery of a new species within the genus, Neothrips quasimodo, in Australia.

Aschersonia aleyrodis is a fungal pathogen affecting various species of insect. It has been shown to control the silverleaf whitefly in laboratory and greenhouse conditions.

References

  1. Messelink, Gerben (2005). "Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae): a new predator for thrips control in greenhouse and indoor grown crops". Integrated Control in Protected Crops, Temperate Climate IOBC/WPRS Bulletin. 28 (1): 183–186.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Amblyseius swirskii: swirski mite". Featured Creatures. University of Florida. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  3. van Maanen, R.; Vila, E.; Sabelis, M.W.; Janssen, Arne (2010). "Biological control of broad mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus) with the generalist predator Amblyseius swirskii". Experimental and Applied Acarology. 52 (1): 29–34. doi:10.1007/s10493-010-9343-2. PMC   2914298 . PMID   20191312.
  4. Kakkara, Garima; Kumarb, Vivek; Sealc, Dakshina R.; Liburdd, Oscar E.; Stanslye, Philip A. (2016). "Predation by Neoseiulus cucumeris and Amblyseius swirskii on Thrips palmi and Frankliniella schultzei on cucumber". Biological Control. 92 (1): 85–91. doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2015.10.004.