Mesostigmata) Inhabiting Agricultural and Other Plants in Arizona
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Phytoseiidae (Acarina: Mesostigmata) Inhabiting Agricultural and Other Plants in Arizona Item Type text; Book Authors Tuttle, Donald M.; Muma, Martin H. Publisher College of Agriculture, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) Rights Copyright © Arizona Board of Regents. The University of Arizona. Download date 24/09/2021 18:17:46 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/602133 Phytoseiidae (Acarina : Mesostigmata) Inhabiting Agricultural and Other Plants in Arizona Technical Bulletin 208 Agricultural Experiment Station The University of Arizona Tucson Phytoseiidae (Acarina : Mesostigmata) Inhabiting Agricultural and Other Plants in Arizona Donald M. Tuttle' and Martin H. Muma2 INTRODUCTION Chant (1961) showed that Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias -Henriot was capable Predatory mites of the family of controlling Tetranychus (Tetrany- Phytoseiidae inhabit a wide variety of chus) urticae Koch under greenhouse plants including many that are either conditions, and Bravenboer and Dosse important or potentially important to (1962) corroborated these findings agriculture in Arizona. Phytoseiids utilizing Tetranychus (Tetranychus) are also known to be associated with cinnabarinus (Boisduval) as the host. and to feed upon injurious plant feed- Hoyt (1969) found that GaZendromus ing mites of the families Tetranychi- occidentaZis (Nesbitt) limited infes- dae, Tenuipalpidae, and Eriophyidae. tations of Tetranychus (Armenychus) In view of these facts, the authors mcdanieli McGregor on apple trees in list, diagnose and discuss, the plant the Pacific Northwest but had little inhabiting phytoseiids of the state. effect on populations of AcuZus sch- Specific discussions include taxonomic Zechtendali (Nalepa), an alternate and systematic information, biological prey. Muma (1970) reported that a and ecological data, and facts and closely related species, Galendromus conjecture concerning their economic fioridanus (Muma), was capable of importance. natural control of Eotetranychus sex - maculatus (Riley) on Florida citrus Several biological and ecological trees. On the other hand, studies to studies have shown that mites of this evaluate the biological control poten- family are potentially important as tial of Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten biotic factors in the natural or bio- produced variable results. Collyer logical control of injurious plant (1958), in insectary experiments de- feeding mites. McMurtry and Scriven termined that T. pyri was capable of in studies on Euseius hibisci (Chant) holding infestations of Panonychus (1964, 1965, 1966, 1966a and 1968) ulmi (Koch) on apple trees in check found this predator fed more readily under certain conditions. Conversely on some species of prey and reduced Chant (1959) reported that T. pyri infestations of Oligonychus (Oligony- was only partly effective in control- chus) punicae (Hirst). McMurtry and ling P. ulmi on apple trees. However, Scriven (1965, 1971) in similar stud- Dosse (1960) corroborated her findings ies found that TyphZodromaZus limoni- that T. pyri controlled P. ulmi on ap- eus (Garman and McGregor) was a larger, ple trees in the absence of insectici- more voracious, more effective predator des and acaricides; Collyer (1964a) than E. hibisci, and was also capable confirmed her earlier experiments that of reducing O. punicae populations. T. pyri controlled P. ulmi under or- chard conditions. Herbert (1962) found 'Entomologist, University of Ariz- that T. pyri controlled over- wintering ona, Yuma Branch Station, Yuma, Arizona. populations of Bryobia arborea Morgan and Anderson3 on apple trees under 2Entomologist Emeritus, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agri- 3Bryobia arborea is a synonym of cultural Sciences, Gainesville, Florida. Bryobia rubrioculus (Scheuten). October 1973 21/2M greenhouse conditions. None of these Although the phytoseiids recorded investigations on the biological control here are restricted primarily to those potential of T. pyri mentioned that Her- occupying niches on living agricultural bert (1959), Chant (1960), and Collyer plants, ecological or strata] confinement (1964) had recorded apple rust mites, A. of genera, subgenera, or species -groups schlechtendali and A. fockeui (Nalepa), is evident. Arizona species of Proprio- as alternate, optimal prey for this seiopsis Muma are, with a single excep- phytoseiid and that either absence or tion, found on low-growing perennial presence and abundance of such alternate herbs, annual herbs and grasses. The hosts may have caused for their variable exception is P. solens DeLeon, a member results. Such experimental differences of the arboreal dorsatus-group. It is show the need for carefully controlled probable that these Arizona records rep- intensive and extensive studies of Phy- resent only an upward migration from toseiid food habits prior to biological ground surface debris and leaf mold, the control evaluation studies. stratum normally occupied by the genus. The single known Sonoran species of Muma (1971) reviewed the literature Eharius Muma and Tuttle is found almost on the food habits of Phytoseildae and exclusively on plants of the mint family, summarized the findings at a generic Labiatae, and is most common on hore- level. Although his results should be hound, Marrubium (bourn.) L., and horse considered as preliminary, owing to the mint, Monarda L. Species of the genus often fragmentary, incomplete or incon- Neoseiulus Hughes are most commonly col- clusive data in his and previously lected from low- growing perennial and reported studies, it is evident that annual herbs and grasses with some spe- phytoseiids are not as general in their cies more abundant on grasses and others food habits as previously believed. on herbs. Some of these species are Species of the genus Macroseius Chant, unquestionably migrants from ground sur - Denmark and Baker are unquestionably face litter, their normal niche. Only obligate predators that utilize nema- the fallacis species -group of Neoseiulus todes as optimal food and anoetids as inhabits shrubs and trees. The genus adequate food. Those of the genus Metaseiulus Muma is seemingly confined Phytoscutus Muma are acarid predators. to various arborescent gymnosperms in It is probable that those of the genus high mountain elevations. Common Ari- Anthoseius DeLeon are pollenophagous. zona species of C,alendromus Muma, ap- Species of the genus Euseius Wainstein parently all in the subgenus Menaseius are unquestionably pollenophagous, and Wainstein, inhabit large forbs, shrubs facultative predators on a wide range and trees. Species of the genera Che- of insects and mites. Within the genus laseius Muma and Denmark, Arrenoseius Galendromus Muma, species of the typi- Wainstein, Typhlodromips DeLeon, Typhlo- cal subgenus are known to be obligate dromina Muma, and Berethria, new genus, predators utilizing tetranychids as are not sufficiently common to evaluate optimal food and eriophyids as adequate in Arizona ecologically. However, stu- or survival food, but food habits of dies in other areas have demonstrated species in the subgenus Menaseius that Chelaseius occupies the ground Wainstein are unknown at present. These surface stratum and that Typhlodromips and other findings recorded by Muma and Typhlodromina are arboreal. (1971) indicate that members of phyto- seiid species -groups, subgenera and Since the primary objective of this genera, particularly those inhabiting presentation is to identify, delineate similar ecological niches, may also and biologically evaluate phytoseiids of have similar restricted food regimens. potential importance to agricultural 2 production in Arizona the distribution The mites recorded in this study of common species on important and were largely taken with mass -collecting potentially important agricultural techniques. Most specimens were taken crops in the state are presented in by beating identified plant materials Table 1. Galendromus flumenis (Chant) over a screened funnel to the bottom of is by far the most abundant species; which was attached a collecting jar furthermore it is found regularly filled with preservative. Some speci- throughout the state on a large number mens were obtained by field collection of agricultural and other plants. of identified plant material in paper Therefore, it should be subjected to a sacks for later processing over a modi- series of biological and ecological fied Tullgren apparatus (Haarlov 1957). studies to determine its potential as A few individuals were removed from a biological control factor. Although leaves in the laboratory. Collected much less common, other species could mites were mounted in a modified Hoyer's well be studied and evaluated, such as solution on standard microscope slides, Metaseiulus vaZidus (Chant) for its hardened for 48 to 72 hours on a slide potential in the control of pests on drier, and stored horizontally. pines; Metaseiulus nelson (Chant) for a similar potential on junipers; For identification, mites were Galendromus pomoides (Schuster and examined with a phase microscope at Pritchard) for its possible relation magnifications varying from 50x to to Arizona grass and pasture or nut 800x. Body length measurements were production; Galendromus mexicanus for made at 100x magnification and correc- a similar relation to Arizona forestry; ted to the nearest 0.01 mm.; special Neoseiulus setulus (Fox) and N. comita- structure measurements were made at tus DeLeon as possible predators of 800x. Full dorsal and ventral illus- grass, row crop and field crop pests, trations were made at 100x