Predation and oviposition rates of Gaeolaelaps aculeifer and Parasitus bituberosus (Acari: Laelapidae and Parasitidae) on pre-pupae/pupae of Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Abstract

Thrips tabaci Lindeman is one of the main insect pests of onion (Allium cepa L.) in Colombia and several other countries. Strategies for its control are currently based on the use of chemical products. In a recent survey, Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Canestrini) and Parasitus bituberosus Karg, two soil-dwelling predatory mite species (Acari: Mesostigmata), were found associated with this crop at Boyacá department, Colombia. Given that T. tabaci spends its pre-pupal and pupal stages in the soil, this study was conducted to evaluate the predation and oviposition of G. aculeifer and P. bituberosus on these developmental stages under laboratory conditions. The predators consumed up to 6.8 ± 0.52 and 6.9 ± 0.45 T. tabaci pre-pupae/ pupae, respectively, when offered 6 –10 prey a day. The maximum oviposition rates were 4.4 ± 0.25 eggs/female/day for G. aculeifer and 6.9 ± 0.26 eggs/female/day for P. bituberosus, with a mean egg viability higher than 91% for both predators. These results suggest that the evaluated predators may affect the population of T. tabaci under field conditions, and that the conduction of complementary studies on those predators is warranted, envisioning their practical use for T. tabaci control in Colombia.

Development, reproduction and survival Protogamasellopsis rhizoglyphusi and Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Mesostigmata: Rhodacaridae, Laelapidae) feeding on two astigmatine mite prey and notes on the behavior of P. rhizoglyphusi</p >

“…Laelapidae and Rhodacaridae are families which contain predatory mesostigmatid mites found mainly in the first few centimeters of the soil surface and sometimes near the roots of plants that are attacked by springtails, insect larvae, mites, and nematodes (Barbosa & Moraes 2016; Amin & Khanjani 2022). Two species, Gaeolaelaps aculeifer Canestrini, 1884 and Protogamasellopsis rhizoglyphusi Amin & Khanjani, 2022 are generalist predators can be effectively used as biological control agents of various soil pests, such as thrips pupae, fly maggots, and bulb mites (Rueda-Ramírez et al 2018; Castro-López et al 2021; Park et al 2021). Biological control of invertebrate pests by G. aculeifer has been extensively used in several countries.…”

“…(2021), Lycoriella auripila (Winnertz) (Diptera: Sciaridae), Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) by Castro-López et al . (2021).…”