The underestimated worth of predatory and parasitic mites in India: does it really have to import exotic species for biological control?

Abstract

Predatory and parasitic mites are likely to assume a greater role in crop protection as world attention is now focused on finding out alternative means of agricultural pest management, and some may be beneficial in the medical and veterinary fields. This review on the status of research on predatory and parasitic mites in India is written in the light of the recent push for introduction of exotic phytoseiid mites into the country. It provides an overview of the predatory mites associated with agri-horticultural crops as well as of some insects of public health importance in India and also of some known from outside the country for appreciating their potential. It has information on predatory mites representing 27 families under three orders, viz. Mesostigmata, Trombidiformes (suborder Prostigmata), Sarcoptiformes (suborder Oribatida, cohort Astigmatina and also cohort excluding Astigmatina). Since phytoseiid mites are the most dominant, highly effective, economically important and widespread predators, the major emphasis has been laid on this family.

Occurrence of natural enemies of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Nigeria

“…There are no records of larvae of Trombidiidae parasitising thrips, although several species of Trombidium Fabricius were collected on Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Opilionides, Pseudoscorpionides and Araneae [ 37 , 39 ] such as Beetles, Aphids, Housefly, Grasshopper, Cricket etc. [ 36 , 38 ] and arachnids [ 38 ]. This mite, Trombidium sp.…”

“…In addition to the FAW parasitoids, mites of the family Trombidiidae and Erythraeidae (Acari: Prostigmata) are ectoparasitic in their larval stage and predatory in their deutonymphal and adult stages on insects [36][37][38]. There are no records of larvae of Trombidiidae parasitising thrips, although several species of Trombidium Fabricius were collected on Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, Hemiptera, Homoptera, Hymenoptera, Opilionides, Pseudoscorpionides and Araneae [37,39] such as Beetles, Aphids, Housefly, Grasshopper, Cricket etc.…”

First report on the occurrence of Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) transvaalensis (Nesbitt) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in India with a redescription of the species

“…Mass production and utilization of this species are planned for biological control in India (Gupta and Sreerama Kumar 2018).…”