Evaluación de una especie de fitoseido (Acari: phytoseiidae) para el control de Tetranychus urticae (Acari: tetranychidae) en rosa spp

Abstract

The two-spotted mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is one of the most important phytophagous mites in agriculture due it is able to feed on a large number of plant species, its wide geographical distribution and the number of cases of resistance to different acaricidal products. In view of its importance, numerous studies have been carried out to evaluate alternative methods of control, such as biological control. In this research, the effect of the prey density (Tetranychus urticae) on the consumption and reproduction rates of Typhlodromalus sp. was evaluated in laboratory conditions. Regarding the predation rate, an increase in consumption was observed as the prey density increased, reaching a maximum of 11.2 eggs and 5.2 individuals/predator, respectively. Similarly, a positive effect of increasing prey density on the reproductive rate Typhlodromus sp. female, measured as the number of eggs laid per female per day, was observed. According to the results, it is possible to conclude that Typhlodromus sp. shows biological attributes that would allow it to increase its population levels accordingly increases in the pest population, which is a desirable characteristic of natural enemies to be included in integrated pest management programs.