Journal article
Phytoseiids in Washington commercial apple orchards: biodiversity and factors affecting abundance
Experimental & applied acarology, Vol.67(1), pp.21-34
09/2015
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/104335
PMID: 26002311
Abstract
Galendromus occidentalis (Nesbitt) is an important biological control agent of spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Washington apple orchards. It was thought to be essentially the sole phytoseiid existing in this system, due in part to its resistance to commonly used orchard pesticides, and organophosphates in particular. To test this assumption, we conducted a survey of 102 commercial apple blocks in Washington to characterize the community of phytoseiid species. Seven phytoseiid species were found in our samples; G. occidentalis and Amblydromella caudiglans (Schuster) were found in the greatest abundance. We hypothesized that the gradual shift away from the use of organophosphates in recent decades may have caused the change in phytoseiid community structure. The survey data and information regarding the management, location, and surrounding habitat of each block were used to determine what factors affect phytoseiid abundances. Galendromus occidentalis abundance was positively affected by the use of conventional (vs. organic) spray programs, and the use of the acaricide bifenazate. Amblydromella caudiglans abundance was negatively affected by bifenazate use and positively affected by herbicide strip weediness; it was also less prevalent in ‘Golden Delicious’ blocks compared to other cultivars. These results indicate that A. caudiglans reaches higher abundances in orchards that lack certain agricultural disturbances, whereas G. occidentalis can survive in more disturbed environments. Surveys of this nature can provide valuable insight to potential drivers of community structure, allowing for the improvement of integrated pest management programs that incorporate conservation of newly recognized biological control agents such as A. caudiglans.
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Details
- Title
- Phytoseiids in Washington commercial apple orchards: biodiversity and factors affecting abundance
- Creators
- Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris - Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center Washington State University 1100 N. Western Ave. Wenatchee WA 98801 USAElizabeth Beers - Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center Washington State University 1100 N. Western Ave. Wenatchee WA 98801 USADavid Crowder - Department of Entomology Washington State University Pullman WA 99164 USA
- Publication Details
- Experimental & applied acarology, Vol.67(1), pp.21-34
- Academic Unit
- Entomology, Department of
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing; Cham
- Grant note
- HCP-13-103; CP-10-104A / Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission 13AN026; 14023 / Washington Commission on Pesticide Registration
- Identifiers
- 99900546602101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article