Taxonomic studies of laelapid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) and their use in combination with entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae, Heterorhabditidae) to control Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

Author(s)

Grazielle Furtado Moreira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Jaboticabal. 2015-03-03.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias. Jaboticabal
• Defense date: 2014-04-23
• Advisor: Gilberto José de Moraes; Antônio Carlos Busoli

Abstract

The cosmopolitan Dermanyssoidea mite family Laelapidae Berlese occupies a diversity of habitats, where their habits vary from free-living to arthropod, mammal and bird associates. Some species of this family as well the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have shown good potential as biological control agents. Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), one of the most important thrips pests, causes major damage to several cultivated plants, acting as pest or vector of pathogens. The aims of the study reported in this document were the preparation of a taxonomic catalog of the free-living and arthropod associated laelapid mites, the taxonomic study of the laelapid species collected in Brazil, the preparation of a key for the South American free-living and arthropod associated genera, and evaluations of the effect of different laelapid and EPN species as control agents of F. occidentalis. A total of 828 species of 41 genera are reported in the catalog. Nine new species were described and a key for the separation of genera reported in South America genus was prepared. In laboratory tests, Cosmolaelaps jaboticabalensis Moreira, Klompen and Moraes and Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley) preyed upon about 2.5 and 3.9 pre-pupae/pupae of F. occidentalis and laid about 2.2 and 1.4 eggs per day, respectively. Heterorhabditis amazonensis GL Andaló, Nguyen and Moino Jr. was the most virulent nematode, producing mortality of about 87.5% of exposed pre-pupae/pupae. None of the evaluated predators showed preference for that nematode as prey and none of the evaluated nematodes interfered in the survivorship of the predators. For C. jaboticabalensis, total immature development (egg-adult) was completed in 12.3 ± 5, 6.6 ± 0.6 and 7.1 ± 0.6 on F. occidentalis, Protorhabditis sp. and T. putrescentiae, respectively. Fecundity and intrinsic rate of increase were higher on Protorhabditis sp. (71.6 ± 9.1 eggs/female; 0.28 female/female/day) than ... (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/19171-1 - Taxonomic studies of Laelapidae (Acari:Mesostigmata) and their use with entomopathogenic nematodes (Rhabditida:Steinernematidae, Heterorhabiditidae) to control thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in crops of peppers and roses
• Grantee: GRAZIELLE FURTADO MOREIRA
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate