Authors:

Abstract

Studies in Sri Lanka revealed that Neoseiulus baraki Athias-Henriot (Acari:
Phytoseiidae) (previously referred to as Neoseiulus aff. paspalivorus) is a
prospective biological control agent of the coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis
Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae). Mass rearing of the predatory mite, N. baraki
was proposed to augment the field population. Laboratory studies were
conducted to determine an alternative prey for N. baraki, a food source for
rearing of the alternative prey and a suitable arena for rearing of the
predatory mite and the alternative prey. N. baraki developed and multiplied
satisfactorily on the storage mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae Shrank (Acari:
Ascidae). The predatory mite when fed on T. putrescentiae developed from
egg to adult in 11.1 ±0.1 days and deposited 26.4±2.2 eggs during a life-time
of 70.0±1.8 days. T. putrescentiae multiplied equally well on pollen of Typha
sp. and rice bran. The fecundity of T. putrescentiae was 163.5±23.4 eggs on
Typha pollen and 143.7±9.7 eggs on rice bran. But the daily oviposition rate
was higher on rice bran. The predatory mite and its alternative prey could be
bred in the same arena, which is a modification of the basic arena described
by McMurtry & Scriven (1965). A closed arena without a water barrier was
the most suitable rearing system to obtain a higher number of predatory
mites. In this arena a single female predatory mite gave rise to 24 motile
stages and eggs in three weeks. Advantages and disadvantages of the
rearing method are discussed.

How to Cite: Fernando, L.C.P., Aratchige, N.S., Kumari, S.L.M.L., Appuhamy, P.A.L.D. and Hapuarachchi, D.C.L., 2010. DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD FOR MASS REARING OF NEOSEIULUS BARAKI, A MITE PREDATORY ON THE COCONUT MITE, ACERIA GUERRERONIS. COCOS, 16, pp.22–36. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cocos.v16i0.2194