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Efficacy of Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) as a biocontrol agent of the red palm mite Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

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Abstract

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), is a severe pest of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), banana (Musa sp.), and some ornamental palms. The predatory mite Amblyseius largoensis Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) has been reported in association with R. indica in several countries. Here, we assessed the interaction effect between prey density and population structure on predation and fecundity of this phytoseiid species. Specifically, we estimated the predation capacity of nymphs and females of A. largoensis based on their functional and numerical responses when fed on eggs, immature stages (deutonymphs or protonymphs), and females of R. indica. Nymphs and females of A. largoensis presented type II functional responses to R. indica, except for nymphs of the predator when consuming immature stages of the pest that exhibited a type III functional response. Nymphs and females of the predator showed a higher attack rate and shorter handling time when feeding on eggs of R. indica than on immatures and females. The highest oviposition rates of A. largoensis were observed when eggs and immatures of the pest were offered as prey. The results indicate that nymphs and females of A. largoensis may be effective in suppressing R. indica populations, mainly at lower prey densities.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES - Brazil) and the Secretaría Nacional de Educación Superior Ciencia y Tecnología of Ecuador (SENESCYT - Ecuador) for providing scholarships for the first and second authors, respectively, and to Dr. Ester Azevedo do Amaral for the identification of the predatory mite.

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  1. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Agroecologia, Universidade Estadual do Maranhão, Cidade Universitária Paulo VI, Tirirical, São Luís, MA, 65054-970, Brazil

    Vanessa de Araujo Lira, Giselle Santos de Freitas, Adriano Soares Rêgo & Adenir Vieira Teodoro

  2. Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil

    Luis Oswaldo Viteri Jumbo

  3. Instituto Federal do Maranhão, Campus Maracanã, São Luís, MA, 65095-460, Brazil

    Andréia Serra Galvão

  4. Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, Aracaju, SE, 49025-040, Brazil

    Adenir Vieira Teodoro

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  1. Vanessa de Araujo Lira
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  2. Luis Oswaldo Viteri Jumbo
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  3. Giselle Santos de Freitas
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Correspondence to Vanessa de Araujo Lira.

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Lira, V., Jumbo, L.O.V., de Freitas, G.S. et al. Efficacy of Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) as a biocontrol agent of the red palm mite Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae). Phytoparasitica 49, 103–111 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12600-020-00875-8

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