Use of UV-B radiation and predatory mites for the control of Raoiella indica

• Grant number: 17/23472-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Carlos Lofego
• Grantee: Leticia Molina Hernandes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this project is to find control forms for the phytophagous mite, Raoiella indica (Hirst), a plant pest in the family Arecaceae and Musaceae, including coconut and banana, where it causes severe economic losses. In order to do this, we will search for predators and evaluate the effect of UV-B radiation on the reproduction and survival of these pest mites, as well as their predators. In the search for predators will be made field collections and evaluation of oviposition of predators when fed with prey, to evaluate their acceptance of prey. In order to evaluate the effect of UV-B radiation on the pest and its possible predators, experimental units will be prepared in laboratory, consisting of rectangles of palm leaf, these units containing the mites to be tested will be subdivided into two groups, one being submitted to radiation, and the other not, so the mortality and oviposition rates of the two groups will be evaluated (AU)