<p class="Body"><strong><em>Neoseiulus barkeri</em></strong><strong> Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a potential control agent for <em>Raoiella indica</em> Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)</strong></p>

Abstract

Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) is a pest species that has expanded not only in geographical distribution but also in the number of host plants. Control measures are still being evaluated in recently invaded countries. In some countries and for some crops, spraying with botanical extracts has been used to reduce R. indica populations. Laboratory and field studies point to the predatory mite Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as promising for combating R. indica. However, this predator has not yet been commercially available. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential of another predatory mite Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes, a commercially available generalist predator as a biological control agent of R. indica. The consumption and oviposition rate of N. barkeri were determined across the developmental stages of R. indica. The predation and oviposition capacity of N. barkeri and A. largoensis when fed R. indica eggs in the laboratory were compared. In the field, releases of the predator N. barkeri at densities of 900, 600 and 300 predators per plant were compared to spraying with botanical extracts such as cottonseed oil and azadirachtin to control R. indica. Our results suggested that N. barkeri is an effective predator to control R. indica. The consumption of N. barkeri was inversely related to the life stage of R. indica, and all developmental stages of R. indica enabled the reproduction of N. barkeri. The predation and oviposition of N. barkeri were higher than those of A. largoensis, and the releases of N. barkeri at densities of 900 and 600 predators/plant resulted in significant reductions in R. indica populations.

Extracts of plant residues from soursop peels in the management of palm red mite

“…Initially described in India and then in other countries in Northeast Africa and the Middle East, the red palm mite Raoiella indica Hirst, 1924 (Prostigmata: Tenuipalpidae), is a species that lives mainly in plants of the Arecaceae and Musaceae family, mainly in palm trees and banana trees [1] . The pest species arrived in Brazil in 2009 through the state of Roraima, quickly dispersing throughout the other Brazilian states [2,3] . In 2018, it was reported in Espírito Santo in coconut and pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien) in the municipalities of Guarapari, Vila Velha and Vitória, becoming a problem for the producing regions of the state [4] .…”

“…R. indica is considered an extremely severe pest species. The habit of feeding on the abaxial surface of the leaf, through the stomata of the host, interferes with the photosynthetic and respiratory processes of the plant and consequently causes initial tanning of the leaf, which can later lead to necrosis of plant tissues and, in extreme cases, to the death of young plants, in addition to significantly reducing the productivity of adult plants [3] . Despite its importance, there are few official control methods registered for this pest species.…”

Palm Red Mite Management with Soursop Seed Plant Residue Extracts

“…In these cited regions, the main host plants were coconut and date palm. Although quarantine measures were taken, these organisms quickly dispersed in the Central American regions, arriving in Brazil in 2009 through the state of Roraima, and dispersing through the other Brazilian states [2]. In 2018, the pest was reported in the coastal region of Espírito Santo on pygmy coconut and date palms (Phoenix roebelenii O'Brien) in the municipalities of Guarapari, Vila Velha, and Vitória [3].…”

“…R. indica is considered extremely invasive and of a severe attack. This species of mite has the habit of feeding on the abaxial face of the leaf, through the host's stomata, and may therefore interfere with the photosynthetic and respiratory processes of the plant, by leaving the leaf, at first with a tanning appearance, and subsequently leading to plant tissue necrosis and, in extreme cases, to the death of young plants, in addition to significantly reducing the productivity of adult plants [2].…”

Selectivity of acaricides to Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

“…Coconut and banana crops are the most sensitive to attack by this pest, and the losses caused can represent 70% of the total production (Navia et al., 2015). Thus, techniques for the control of this pest include chemical (de Assis et al., 2013; Jayaraj et al., 1991; Mendes et al., 2018; Rodrigues & Peña, 2012; Sánchez‐Vázquez et al., 2017) and biological control (Domingos et al., 2013; Filgueiras, Mendes, Neto, et al., 2020a; Mendes et al., 2018; Peña et al., 2009). Among the pesticides tested against R. indica , abamectin has shown efficacy in reducing its populations; this acaricide has been recently registered in Brazil for the control of this pest (Agrofit, 2023).…”