In experiments to evaluate the effects of soil moisture and temperature on two-spotted spider mites, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and predatory mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Neoseiulus californicus McGregor, in strawberries, significant differences were recorded among treatments with varying soil moisture and temperature levels. Two-spotted spider mite counts were significantly higher under low soil moisture levels and high temperatures. The reproductive rate of the predatory mites P. persimilis and N. californicus did not appear to change with different moisture levels. High counts of predatory mites were recorded in a few replicates during the studies. However, the high numbers of predatory mites appear to be a function of the increased reproductive rate of the primary host (two-spotted spider mite). The results from soil moisture tests may have implications for regulating water/irrigation techniques in strawberry IPM programs.
Species 1: Acari Tetranychidae Tetranychus urticae (two-spotted spider mite)
Species 2: Acari Phytoseiidae Phytoseiulus persimilis
Species 3: Acari Phytoseiidae Neoseiulus californicus
Keywords: soil moisture, temperature
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