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The dietary effect of windbreak pollens on longevity and fecundity of a predacious mite Euseius addoensis addoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) found in citrus orchards in South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

T.G. Grout  and
R.I. Richards
T.G. Grout*
Affiliation:
South African Co-operative Citrus Exchange, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
R.I. Richards
Affiliation:
South African Co-operative Citrus Exchange, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
*
Dr T.G. Grout, Outspan Citrus Centre. P.O. Box 28, Nelspruit, South Africa 1200.
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Abstract

The predacious mite Euseius addoensis addoensis (McMurtry) is an important predator of citrus thrips, Scirtothrips aurantii Faure, and Tetranychid mites on citrus in the eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It can also survive and reproduce on certain pollens. In this study, pollen collected from windbreaks commonly used around citrus orchards, was compared with that from Carpobrotus muirii (Mesembryanthemaceae) as a food source for predacious mites. Bioassays were conducted in the laboratory using a leaf-disk technique and both mite mortality and fecundity were recorded through one generation. Casuarina cunninghamiana (Casuarinaceae) was the only windbreak tested that produced pollen capable of sustaining E. a. addoensis for a generation with fecundity similar to that obtained with Carpobrotus muirii. Pollens collected from Pinus radiata (Pinaceae), Cupressus arizonica, C. goveniana and C. torulosa (Cupressaceae) were unsuitable. Casuarina spp. windbreaks may therefore help to maintain predacious mite populations during autumn when natural sources of prey are diminishing.

Type
Research Article
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 82 , Issue 3 , September 1992 , pp. 317 - 320
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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