Density suppression of the citrus red mite Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae) due to the occurrence of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Satsuma mandarin

Abstract

The seasonal prevalence of the citrus red mite and its predators on Satsuma mandarin trees was surveyed by nakedeye observation and the beating method in three commercial groves in Shizuoka Prefecture in 2003 and 2004. Of the predators, only phytoseiid mites were caught mainly by beating, and their population dynamics were synchronized with those of the citrus red mite from June to September. Most adult females of phytoseiid mites caught by beating belonged to the species Neoseiulus californicus. Furthermore, one population of N. californicus caught from a surveyed grove showed development and oviposition on the eggs of the citrus red mite as well as the Tetranychus urticae eggs under experimental conditions. These results indicate that an indigenous population of N. californicus in conventionally controlled citrus groves in central Japan has the ability to suppress the population of P. citri on Satsuma mandarin.