Use of spinosad and predatory mites for the management of Frankliniella occidentalis in low tunnel-grown strawberry

Authors

Touhidur Rahman, Department of Agriculture and Food, WAFollow
Helen Spafford, Department of Agriculture and Food, WAFollow
Sonya Broughton, Department of Agriculture and Food, WAFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-24-2012

Journal Title

Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata

ISSN

Print: 0013-8703 Electronic: 1570-7458

Keywords

single-species release, multiple-species release, IPM, Acari Phytoseiidae, Laelapida, e Thysanoptera, Thripidae, Typhlodromips montdorensis, Neoseiulus cucumeris, Hypoaspis miles

Disciplines

Biosecurity | Fruit Science | Horticulture

Abstract

Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a major pest of strawberry. The efficacy of three species of predatory mites, Typhlodromips montdorensis (Schicha), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (both: Acari: Phytoseiidae), and Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) (Acari: Laelapidae), and their compatibility with spinosad for the control of this thrips was evaluated in commercial strawberry in spring. Low tunnel-grown strawberry was treated with ‘water then mites’, ‘spinosad then mites’, or ‘mites then spinosad’. Predatory mites were released as single-, two- and three-species combinations. Overall, spinosad-treated plants had fewer thrips than water-treated plants (control). In all treatment regimes, each species of predatory mite reduced the number of thrips relative to those plants that received no mites. Predatory mites were most effective in reducing thrips when released after spinosad was applied. Any multiple-species combination of predatory mites reduced thrips numbers more than single-species releases. The two-species combination of T. montdorensis (foliage inhabiting) and H. miles (soil dwelling) was the most effective in suppressing thrips. The next most effective combination was a three-species release. Of multiple-species combinations, the two-species combination of T. montdorensis and N. cucumeris was the least effective in suppressing thrips numbers. The spinosad and mites only temporarily reduced the numbers of F. occidentalis. This suggests that further application of predatory mites, spinosad, or both is required to maintain F. occidentalis populations below an economically damaging level.

Recommended Citation

Rahman, T, Spafford, H, and Broughton, S. (2012), Use of spinosad and predatory mites for the management of Frankliniella occidentalis in low tunnel-grown strawberry. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 142 (3), 258-270.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bs_research/117