The false spoder mite, Brevipalpus obovatus Donnadieu (Acari: Tenuipalpidae): host-related biology, seasonal abundance and control

摘要

The false spider mite, Brevipalpus obovatus Donnadieu, is a major pest of fruit trees and ornamental plants in Egypt. This work was directed at studying the seasonal abundance, host related biology and field control of B. obovatus. Populations of B.obovatus on citrus trees were monitored for 12 months. Populations peaked in early spring and fail at an average of 0.71 +- 0.02 and between 0.52 +- 0.04 and 0.61 +-0.02 mites/leaf, respectively, B. obovatus was reared on citrus and mint leaves in the laboratory conditions (25 +- 2-C and 65 +- 5 percent RH) and the duration of developmental stages was measured. The mean incubation period was 3.07 and 4.16 days on citrus and mint, respectively. Hatch rate was 87.49 percent and 72.9 percent for the two hosts. The active larval, protonymphal and deutonymphal stages lasted an average of 2.76, 2.63 and 3.21 days on citrus, and 3.13, 3.23 and 4.53 days on mint. Female longevity averaged 34.26 and 41.16 days on citrus and mint, respectively. Fecundity was also observed for five generations. The effect of two acaricides, Ortus (fenpyroximate) and Neoron (bromopro-pylate), on B. obovotus were evaluated in citrus orchards in the Tahrir area, Egypt. The results indicated that Ortus reduced the mite population faster than Neoron.