Diversity and abundance of phytoseiid mites on Magnolia hypoleuca Siebold et Zuccarini, a candidate source of natural enemies in natural vegetation

Abstract

The species composition and seasonal dynamics of predatory phytoseiid mites on magnolia, Magnolia hypoleuca, were investigated for 4 y to determine whether M. hypoleuca may act as a source of natural enemies for tetranychid and eriophyid mites on apples. Euseius finlandicus was the most dominant species and formed more than 70% of the mite specimens collected during each year. Amblyseius orientalis was also found consistently as the second dominant species. E. finlandicus was found in low numbers in spring, and its density increased gradually to more than 10 adult females per leaf in autumn. Although the seasonal dynamics of A. orientalis showed some variation depending on the survey years and sites, A. orientalis showed a good predatory ability on Panonychus ulmi, and it developed and reproduced well on this prey in the laboratory.