Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biodiversity of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) of Annual Specialty Crop Systems: The Current State of Knowledge Worldwide and the Need for Study in North America

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Contemporary Acarology

Abstract

Predatory mites in the family Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) are known to be important natural enemies of common plant pests, including tetranychids, tarsonemids, eriophyids, whiteflies, and thrips. While a great deal is known about the diversity and abundances of phytoseiid species in perennial agricultural systems in the United States, such as orchards and vineyards, very little is known regarding the phytoseiid community in annual specialty crop systems. Most information regarding endemic phytoseiid diversity comes from studies in other parts of the world, which host phytoseiid species specific to those areas and where common annual specialty crops tend to differ from those in North America, especially the U.S. The aims of this review are to present an argument for further research in this area, present what is known worldwide regarding the presence of phytoseiids on annual specialty crops, and discuss patterns of diversity and life-style classification of phytoseiid species related to presence on crop species. Though different species are found in other parts of the world, comparisons in their life-style specificity and general theories of food web ecology can be used to predict patterns in endemic species composition in U.S. annual vegetable agroecosystems.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Alston DG (1994) Effect of apple orchard floor vegetation on density and dispersal of phytophagous and predaceous mites in Utah. Agr Ecosyst Environ 50:73–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Argolo PS, Banyuls N, Santiago S, Molla O, Jacas J, Urbaneja A (2013) Compatibility of Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) with Imidacloprid to manage clementine nursery pests. Crop Prot 43:175–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arthropod Pesticide Resistance Database (2017) Arthropod pesticide resistance database. In: Michigan State University. http://www.pesticideresistance.org/. Accessed 22 June 2017

  • Binisha KV, Bhaskar H (2013) Mite fauna associated with major vegetable crops of Thrissur District, Kerala. Entomon 38:6

    Google Scholar 

  • Camporese P, Duso C (1996) Different colonization patterns of phytophagous and predatory mites (Acari: Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae) on three grape varieties: a case study. Exp Appl Acarol 20:1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Chorąży A, Kropczyska-Linkiewicz D, Sas D, Escudero-Colomar L-A (2016) Distribution of Amblydromalus limonicus in northeastern Spain and diversity of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in tomato and other vegetable crops after its introduction. Exp Appl Acarol 69:465–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Çobanoğlu S, Kumral NA (2016) The biodiversity, density and population trend of mites (Acari) on Capsicum annuum L. in temperate and semi-arid zones of Turkey. Syst Appl Acarol 21:907–918

    Google Scholar 

  • Croft B, Blackwood J, McMurtry J (2004) Classifying life-style types of phytoseiid mites: diagnostic traits. Exp Appl Acarol 33:247–260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Croft BA, Brown AWA (1975) Responses of arthropod natural enemies to insecticides. Annu Rev Entomol 20:285–335

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Croft B, McMurtry J, Luh H-K (1998) Do literature records of predation reflect food specialization and predation types among phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae)? Exp Appl Acarol 22:467–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Downing RS, Moilliet TK (1972) Replacement of Typhlodromus occidentalis by T. caudiglans and T. pyri (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) after cessation of sprays on apple trees. Can Entomol 104:937–940

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Mari F, Gonzalez-Zamora JE (1999) Biological control of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) with naturally occurring predators in strawberry plantings in Valencia, Spain. Exp Appl Acarol 23:487–495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilstrap F, Friese D (1985) The predatory potential of Phytoseiulus persimilis, Amblyseius californicus, and Metaseiulus occidentalis (Acarina: Phytoseiidae). Int J Acarol 11:163–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hadam JJ, Aliniazee MT, Croft BA (1986) Phytoseiid mites (Parasitiformes: Phytoseiidae) of major crops in Willianette Valley, Oregon, and pesticide resistance in Typhtodromus pyri Scheuten. Environ Entomol 15:1255–1264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haneef S, Sadanandan MA (2013) Survey of predatory mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) associated with economically important plants of North Kerala. Biol Forum 5:119–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoy MA (2011a) Integrated mite management in California almonds Agricultural Acarology: introduction to integrated mite management. CRC Press, New York, pp 245–256

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hoy MA (2011b) Integrated mite management in citrus in Florida and California. Agricultural Acarology: introduction to integrated mite management. CRC Press, New York, pp 257–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoy MA (2011c) The strategy of integrated mite management. Agricultural Acarology: introduction to integrated mite management. CRC Press, New York, pp 47–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaur KS, Sangha G (2016) Diversity of arthropod fauna associated with chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) in Punjab. J Entomol Zool Stud 4:390–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Komi K, Arakawa R, Amano H (2008a) Predatory potential against thrips Palmi karny of some native phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) occurring on greenhouse vegetable crops in Kochi prefecture, Japan. J Acarol Soc Jpn 17:29–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Komi K, Arakawa R, Amano H (2008b) Native phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) occurring on greenhouse vegetable crops under the pest control programs with natural enemies in Kochi prefecture, Japan. J Acarol Soc Jpn 17:23–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maheswary J, Bhaskar H, Gowda CC (2015) Phytoseiid mite fauna associated with major vegetable crops of Thrissur District, Kerala. J Biol Control 29:183–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mailloux J, Le Bellec F, Kreiter S, Tixier M-S, Dubois P (2010) Influence of ground cover management on diversity and density of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Guadeloupean citrus orchards. Exp Appl Acarol 52:275–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mandape SS, Shukla A (2017) Diversity of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) in the agro-ecosystems of South Gujarat, India. J Entomol Zool Stud 5:755–765

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthysse JG, Denmark HA (1981) Some phytoseiids of Nigeria (Acarina: Mesostigmata). Fla Entomol 64:340–357. https://doi.org/10.2307/3494585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCann KS, Hastings A, Huxel GR (1998) Weak trophic interactions and the balance of nature. Nature 395:794

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry J (1992) Dynamics and potential impact of ‘generalist’ phytoseiids in agroecosystems and possibilities for establishment of exotic species. Exp Appl Acarol 14:371–382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry J, Croft B (1997) Life-styles of phytoseiid mites and their roles in biological control. Annu Rev Entomol 42:291–321. https://doi.org/10.1146/421291

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry JA, De Moraes GJ, Sourassou NF (2013) Revision of the lifestyles of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and implications for biological control strategies. Syst Appl Acarol 18:297–320. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.18.4.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry JA, Oatman ER, Fleschner CA (1971) Phytoseiid mites on some tree and row crops and adjacent wild plants in southern California. J Econ Entomol 64:405–408. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/64.2.405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McMurtry JA, Scriven GT (1964) Studies on the feeding, reproduction, and development of Amblyseius hibisci (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) on various food substances. Ann Entomol Soc Am 57:649–655. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/57.5.649

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris MA, Berry RE, Croft BA (1999) Phytoseiid mites on peppermint and effectiveness of Neoseiulus fallacis to control Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae) in arid growing regions. J Econ Entomol 92:1072–1078. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/92.5.1072

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Naga B, Sharma A, Khinchi S, Kumawat K (2017) Seasonal incidence of mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) and natural enemies on okra in semi-arid Rajasthan. J Pharmacog Phytochem 6:186–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen TPT, Tran NV, Tran TTA (2016) Species occurrence of phytophagous and predatory mites (Acari: Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae) on fruit vegetables in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam. J Acarol Soc Jpn 25:S133–S136. https://doi.org/10.2300/acari.25.Suppl_133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nyrop JP (1988) Spatial dynamics of an acarine predator-prey system: Typhlodromus pyri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) preying on Panonychus ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae). Environ Entomol 17:1019–1031. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/17.6.1019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Özsisli T, Çobanoğlu S (2011) Mite (Acari) fauna of some cultivated plants from Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Afr J Biotechnol 10:2149–2155. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB10.2041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polis GA (1991) Complex trophic interactions in deserts: an empirical critique of food-web theory. Am Nat 138:123. https://doi.org/10.1086/285208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabelis MW, Van de Baan HE (1983) Location of distant spider mite colonies by phytoseiid predators: demonstration of specific kairomones emitted by Tetranychus urticae and Panonychus ulmi. Entomol Exp Appl 33:303–314. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.1983.tb03273.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanjta S, Chauhan U (2015) Survey of thrips (Thysanoptera) and their natural enemies in vegetables from mid hills of Himachal Pradesh. Ecoscan 9:713–715

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt-Jeffris RA, Beers EH (2015) Comparative biology and pesticide susceptibility of Amblydromella caudiglans and Galendromus occidentalis as spider mite predators in apple orchards. Exp Appl Acarol 67:35–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-015-9931-2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt-Jeffris RA, Beers EH, Crowder DW (2015) Phytoseiids in Washington commercial apple orchards: biodiversity and factors affecting abundance. Exp Appl Acarol 67:21–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-015-9927-y

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Singh V, Chauhan U (2014) Diversity of mite (Acari) fauna associated with vegetables and ornamental plants in midhill conditions of Himachal Pradesh, India. J Biol Control 28:75–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh V, Chauhan U (2016) Study of phytoseiid (Acari: Mesostigmata) inhabiting brinjal (Solanum melongena L.: Solanaceae) Himachal Pradesh, India. Bioscan 11:2173–2175

    Google Scholar 

  • Skirvin DJ, Fenlon JS (2001) Plant species modifies the functional response of Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae): Implications for biological control. Bull Entomol Res 91:61. https://doi.org/10.1079/BER200063

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Song Z-W, Zheng Y, Zhang B-X, Li D-S (2016) Prey consumption and functional response of Neoseiulus californicus and Neoseiulus longispinosus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Tetranychus urticae and Tetranychus kanzawai (Acari: Tetranychidae). Syst Appl Acarol 21:936–946. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.21.7.7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strong DR (1992) Are trophic cascades all wet? Differentiation and donor-control in speciose ecosystems. Ecology 73:747. https://doi.org/10.2307/1940154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuttle DM, Muma MH (1973) Phytoseiidae (Acarina: Mesostigmata) inhabiting agricultural and other plants in Arizona, College of Agriculture, University of Arizona. Tucson, AZ

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Leeuwen T, Vontas J, Tsagkarakou A, Dermauw W, Tirry L (2010) Acaricide resistance mechanisms in the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae and other important Acari: a review. Insect Biochem Molec 40:563–572. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2010.05.008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Lee T. Ayres for assisting with data tables and Jason A. Josephson-Storm at Williams College, Williamstown, MA, for his kind translation of Komi et al. (2008b).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clemson University, Coastal Research and Education Center, 2700 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC, 29414, USA

    Monica A. Farfan

  2. USDA-ARS, Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research Unit, 5230 Konnowac Pass Rd., Wapato, WA, 98951, USA

    Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris

Authors
  1. Monica A. Farfan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rebecca A. Schmidt-Jeffris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Monica A. Farfan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, Agricultural Science & Industries Building, University Park, PA, USA

    Michael J. Skvarla

  2. Systematic Entomology Laboratory, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA

    Ronald Ochoa

  3. Jardin Botanico Sur, University of Puerto Rico EEA, San Juan, Puerto Rico

    Jose Carlos Verle Rodrigues

  4. National Centres for Animal Disease, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Lethbridge, AB, Canada

    H. Joel Hutcheson

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Farfan, M.A., Schmidt-Jeffris, R.A. (2019). Biodiversity of Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) of Annual Specialty Crop Systems: The Current State of Knowledge Worldwide and the Need for Study in North America. In: Skvarla, M., Ochoa, R., Verle Rodrigues, J., Hutcheson, H. (eds) Contemporary Acarology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17265-7_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation