Exploration of potential agents for biological control of the red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), on coconut palms in Brazil

• Grant number: 12/00929-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Gilberto José de Moraes
• Grantee: Daniel Chiaradia Oliveira
• Home Institution: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Piracicaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 12/08148-4 - Exploration of potential agents for biological control of the red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), on coconut palms in Brazil, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), is a pest widely distributed in tropical regions of the world, responsible for losses exceeding 50% in coconut crops. The use of natural enemies to reduce the population of this mite has been considered a promising alternative. The objective of this project is to compare the efficiency of predatory mites of R. indica found in northeastern Brazil and Thailand, with those commonly found in Roraima, in order to select control agents able to maintain the pest at low levels in the country. To facilitate the identification of the phytoseiids predatory mites that will be found in Thailand, will be prepared a dichotomous key with the species already reported in that country. During one year, will be conducted a study of population dynamics of R. indica and their natural enemies on coconut in Thailand. In laboratory, will be estimated the level of acceptance of the pest as prey by the main predators found, in order to select two species to be sent to Brazil for comparative studies. Sporadic expeditions will be made in Malaysia and Indonesia, to determine the main predatory mites associated with R. indica in those countries. In Brazil also will be estimated the level of acceptance of the pest as prey by native predators, in order to select the two promising species from northeast. The preparation of life tables will assist in the selection of three species (1 from Thailand, 1 from northeast and 1 from Roraima) that will be evaluated in semi-field condition. It is expected that by the end of this work is selected at least one effective predatory mite for biological control of R. indica in Brazil.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

OLIVEIRA, DANIEL C.; CHANDRAPATYA, ANGSUMARN; DE MORAES, GILBERTO J. A new species of Blattisocius (Acari: Mesostigmata: Blattisociidae), with a new characterisation of the genus. Zootaxa, v. 4040, n. 1, p. 93-100, NOV 9 2015. Web of Science Citations: 2.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

Exploration of potential agents for the biological control of the red palm mite, Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), on coconut palms in Brazil. 2015. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz Piracicaba.