Positive Interactions between Aceria pallida and Bactericera gobica on Goji Berry Plants

Abstract

The gall mite Aceria pallida and the psyllid Bactericera gobica are serious Goji berry pests. The mite can be phoretic on the psyllid to overwinter, but it is unclear whether the vector can obtain benefits from the phoront during the growing season. After detachment, the mite shares the same habitat with its vector, so there are very likely to be interspecific interactions. To better understand whether the interactions are positive or negative, information on relationships between abundances of A. pallida and B. gobica on leaves is needed. Here, B. gobica abundance was represented by the egg abundance because the inactive nymphs develop on the same sites after hatching. (1) We found a positive linear relationship between the gall diameter and the mite abundance in the gall (one more millimeter on gall diameter for every 30 mites increase), which provided a way to rapidly estimate mite abundances in the field by measuring gall diameters. (2) There was a positive relationship between the abundance of mites and psyllid eggs on leaves. (3) Both species had positive effects on each other’s habitat selections. More importantly, the interactions of the two species prevented leaf abscission induced by B. gobica (leaf lifespan increased by 62.9%), increasing the continuation of the psyllid population. Our study suggests positive interactions between two pests during the growing season. The positive relationship between A. pallida and B. gobica egg abundances highlights the increasing need for novel methods for Goji berry pest management. In practice, A. pallida control can be efficient by eliminating its vector B. gobica. Both pests can be controlled together, which reduces chemical usage.

Artificial diets can manipulate the reproductive development status of predatory ladybird beetles and hold promise for their shelf-life management

“…It exhibits outstanding effectiveness in controlling small arthropods such as aphids, coccids, and whiteflies [ 2 ]. In addition to laboratory bioassays, H. axyridis is extensively employed for pest management in orchards, greenhouses, crop fields, and other agricultural settings [ [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] ]. Furthermore, with increase in pest resistance following the use of chemical insecticides, integrated pest management, which combines natural enemies with insecticides, is becoming increasingly important [ [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] ].…”

Functional Response and Intraspecific Competition of Three Ladybird Species Feeding on Aphids on Goji Berry Plants in Laboratory and Semi-Field Conditions

“…The duration of the young fruit stage in goji berry is extended, whereas the periods of fruit expansion and maturation are comparatively brief. Pest control in goji berry cultivation poses a formidable challenge [4,5]. Furthermore, inadequate chemical control not only seldom attains the desired level of efficacy, but it also readily gives rise to significant concerns such as pesticide residue and environmental pollution [6][7][8][9][10].…”

Comparison of Predatory Performance among Three Ladybird Species, Harmonia axyridis, Coccinella septempunctata and Hippodamia variegata, Feeding on Goji Berry Psyllid, Bactericera gobica

“…The goji berry psyllid is characterized by its high fecundity, overlapping generations, and exceptional ability to develop resistance against pesticides. It completes four generations annually and overwinters as an adult in the goji berry region of northern China [13].…”