Phytoseiid mites can be effective in management of pests such as the European red mite (Panonychus ulmi) and two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), however they may be slow to disperse from initial release points or not persistent within a crop. Insects are important vehicles for the transport and dispersal of many organisms among and within habitats. Honey bees and multicolored Asian lady beetles were investigated for their ability to transport phytoseiid mites. Phytoseiid mites of the species Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus californicus, Mesoseiulus longipes, and Typhlodromus pyri were compared for their ability to remain attached to honey bees and multicolored Asian lady beetles in petri plates studies. Mite application sites including the dorsal or ventral surface and mite application techniques including application to dry, wet, or honey –covered insects were compared.
Species 1: Hymenoptera Apidae Apis mellifera (honey bee)
Species 2: Coleoptera Coccinellidae Harmonia axyridis (multicolored Asian lady beetle)
Species 3: Acari Phytoseiidae Phytoseiulus persimilis
Keywords: biological control, predatory mite
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