Wednesday, 17 November 2004
D0483

Survival and horizontal distribution of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) released using mechanical dispensers

George Opit, gopit@oznet.ksu.edu1, James R. Nechols, jnechols@ksu.edu1, David C. Margolies, dmargoli@ksu.edu1, and Kimberly A. Williams, kwilliam@oznet.ksu.edu2. (1) Kansas State University, Dept. of Entomology, 123 West Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS, (2) Kansas State University, Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources, 2021 Throckmorton Plant Sciences Center, Manhattan, KS

We tested the ability of two mechanical blowers to dispense Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius cucumeris for biological control of spider mites and thrips, respectively, in greenhouses. The number of live P. persimilis and A. cucumeris landing at distances of 0.61, 1.52, 2.44, 3.35, 4.27, and 5.18 m after application using a Bug Gun and a Manual Dispenser was measured. Survival of phytoseiids dispensed using blowers and hand-sprinkling was also assessed. Horizontal distribution of both phytoseiid mites was uneven. Using the Bug Gun resulted in 77% of P. persimilis landing at 1.52 and 2.44 m, whereas 75% of mites dispensed by the Manual Dispenser landed at 2.44, 3.35, and 4.27 m. When the Bug Gun was used to dispense A. cucumeris, 97% of the mites landed at 1.52, 2.44, and 3.35 m; for the Manual Dispenser, 81% landed at 2.44 and 3.35 m. Percentages of live P. persimilis found after application using the Manual Dispenser, Bug Gun, and sprinkling were 31 ± 4, 49 ± 3, and 68 ± 8%, respectively. For A. cucumeris, percentages were 61 ± 4, 79 ± 4, and 83 ± 7%, respectively. It took 5.25 ± 0.25, 113.75 ± 1.49, and 231.25 ± 7.18 s to dispense 200 ml of vermiculite, the carrier material in which P. persimilis is packaged, using the Bug Gun, Manual Dispenser, and sprinkling, respectively. These tests demonstrated the potential and limitations of mechanical blowers for rapid application of phytoseiid mites for control of spider mites and thrips in commercial greenhouses.


Species 1: Acari Phytoseiidae Phytoseiulus persimilis
Species 2: Acari Phytoseiidae Amblyseius cucumeris
Species 3: Acari Tetranychidae Tetranychus urticae (twospotted spider mite)
Keywords: Mechanical dispensers, Phytoseiid survival

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