Biological control of Bradysia matogrossensis (Diptera: Sciaridae) in mushroom cultivation with predatory mites

Abstract

Larvae of Sciaridae flies (Diptera) cause considerable damage to the mushroom Agaricus blazei (Murrill) ss. Heinemann in Brazil. Brazilian growers have had considerable difficulties in controlling this pest. The objective of this work was to test the effect of the predatory Laelapidae mite Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley) as a control agent of Bradysia matogrossensis (Lane) in cultures of A. blazei. The work corresponded to an evaluation of the efficiency of that predator when released in boxes containing each about 15 L of commercial mushroom compost naturally infested with the pest. The results showed a significant effect of that predator on the population of B. matogrossensis. The release of either 665 or 1330 S. scimitus per box significantly reduced the pest population to levels that, according to grower's experience, apparently could not cause considerable damage. The positive results obtained warrant the conduction of complementary studies to determine the lowest rates of the predator that could still produce acceptable levels of control.

Damage potential of Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Acari: Acaridae) in Oyster (Pluerotus sajor caju) Mushrooms

“…Cabrera et al and Gulati [45][46][47] reported that T. myceliophagus, T. confuses and T. floreicolus occur in thousands on mushroom body and the affected tissue becomes reddish, while base and stalk turn brown in colour. Accordingly Pygmephous sp.…”

Efficacy of Acaricides and botanicals against Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari:Acaridae)

“…are more successful in minimizing pest damage to mushrooms and maximizing the yield [14]. Pesticides (permetrin, perefosmetil, anometrin, forbecide and dichlorvos) are applied [15], but due to growing ecological and health concerns, biocontrol methods are being developed against pest [16]. In mushroom bed, incorporation of diazinon in compost at filing time and dicofol (0.1%) as prophyletic measure against flies is recommended in the crop.…”

Potential use of edaphic predatory mites for the control of hematophagous mites (Acari)

“…Among the groups of Gamasina found in this study, it seems worthy to dedicate special emphasis to the laelapid mites, given their demonstrated potential and actual use for the control of soil insects and mites as well as of hematophagous mites (FREIRE et al, 2007;CASTILHO et al, 2009;LESNA et al, 2009LESNA et al, , 2012 …”

“…For this reason, members of that order have been studied as predators of edaphic pests (INSERRA;DAVIS, 1983;WALTER, 1986, LESNA et al, 2000ALI;DUNE;BRENNAN, 1997;FREIRE et al, 2007). In a survey conducted in Switzerland by Maurer et al (1993), Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese) (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) was reported in poultry houses.…”

“…Some edaphic predatory mite species have been commercialized for the control of pests that spend their life cycle (or part of it) in the soil (FREIRE et al, 2007;GERSON;WEINTRAUB, 2007;CASTILHO et al, 2009aCASTILHO et al, , 2009b, including D.…”