Articles
DEVELOPMENT OF A METHOD FOR MASS REARING OF NEOSEIULUS BARAKI, A MITE PREDATORY ON THE COCONUT MITE, ACERIA GUERRERONIS
Authors:
L. C. P. Fernando ,
COCOS, LK
About L. C. P.
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka.
N. S. Aratchige,
LK
About N. S.
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka.
S. L. M. L. Kumari,
LK
About S. L. M. L.
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka.Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka.Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka.
P. A. L. D. Appuhamy,
LK
About P. A. L. D.
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka.
D. C. L. Hapuarachchi
LK
About D. C. L.
Coconut Research Institute, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka.
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
Published on
12 Aug 2010.
Peer Reviewed
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