Distribution of Stethorus nigripes Kapur (Coleoptera : Coccinellidae), a predator of banks grass mite [Oligonychus pratensis (Banks)] in the southern United States

摘要

Members of the genus Stethorus Weise, with approximately 70 species worldwide, are obligate predators of spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) (Gordon and Chapin 1983). Many of these mites are important pests of various crops, trees, and ornamentals. Almost all North American research on Stethorus and its potential role as an agent of biological control of spider mites was done with S. punctum punctum (LeConte) and its control of the European red mite (Panonychus ulmi (Koch)) and two-spotted mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) in eastern U.S. apple orchards (e.g., Colbum and Asquith 1971, Hull et al. 1977, Houck 1986). Unfortunately, little work has been done on other Nearctic species of Stethorus, in different areas of North America. Stethorus p. puncture is one of six species or subspecies of Stethorus in America, north of Mexico (Gordon and Chapin 1983). As with many other groups of lady beetles, various species of Stethorus have been introduced into non-native areas for control of pest insects or mites. According to Gordon (1985), approximately 12 species of Stethorus, most not formally named to species, have been introduced into California. The countries of origin of these species are diverse and include Australia, China, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Pakistan, South Africa, and Turkey.