Biological Features of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Feeding on Schizotetranychus oryzae (Acari: Tetranychidae) Kept on Rice Leaves.

Schizotetranychus oryzae Rossi de Simons attains pest level in rice crops. This study aimed to evaluate the biological features of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) feeding on S. oryzae on leaves of flooded rice. We also evaluated N. californicus behavior in response to S. oryzae and conspecific cues. Thirty-two eggs were individually placed in arenas on rice leaves and fed on S. oryzae for the biological test. Three cultivars were used to test the behavior of N. californicus in response to S. oryzae and conspecific cues. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of the predator feeding on S. oryzae was 0.21 female/female/day. Schizotetranychus oryzae was considered a suitable prey for N. californicus under laboratory conditions. The results obtained in behavioral tests showed that N. californicus preferred laying eggs on leaves uninfested by S. oryzae and it did not show oviposition preference in arenas with conspecific predator cues. This predator was found in all rice cultivation areas in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Neoseiulus californicus proved to be a control agent for S. oryzae.

Phytoseiid mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) from Araucaria Forest of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, with new records and descriptions of four new species.

This paper reports on the Phytoseiidae from an Araucaria forest in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, describing four new species, namely Transeius kroeffis n. sp., Typhlodromalus araucariae n. sp., Typhlodromips pompeui n. sp. and Typhlodromips salvadorii n. sp.. Iphiseiodes moraesi Ferla & Silva, Neoseiulus tunus (DeLeon), Typhlodromips japi Lofego, Demite & Feres, Typhlodromips pallinii Gonçalves, Silva & Ferla, Typhloseiopsis dorsoreticulatus Lofego, Demite & Feres are reported for the first time from this type of habitat in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil.

Phytoseiid mites (Acari) associated with yerba mate in southern Brazil, with description of a new species.

Yerba mate is a plant of great socioeconomic importance in southern South America. Little has been published about the phytoseiid mite fauna of yerba mate. This paper presents information about the morphology and distribution of phytoseiid mites collected in yerba mate in the Ilópolis and Putinga counties of Brazil between 2002 and 2004. Four areas with of different forms of cultivation in every county were sampled. A list of the species recorded from that state, and a key for their identification are provided. Sixteen phytoseiid mites species were identified, belonging to 11 genera in the subfamilies Amblyseiinae (13 species) and Typhlodrominae (three species). The most abundant genus was Amblyseius with three species. Phytoscutus sexpilis Muma, 1961 and Typhloseiopsis dorsoreticulatus Lofego, Demite & Feres, 2011 are reported for the first time from Rio Grande do Sul state. This study also includes the description of a new species, Typhlodromips pallinii n. sp.

Ácaros predadores (Acari) associados à cultura do morango (Fragaria sp., Rosaceae) e plantas próximas no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul / Predatory mites (Acari) associated with strawberry and neighboring plants in the State of Rio Grande do Sul

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar as espécies de ácaros predadores associados à cultura do morango e em plantas associadas, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Este estudo foi conduzido nos municípios de Bom Princípio, Capitão e Lajeado em plantações de morango da variedade Oso Grande em túnel baixo. As avaliações foram feitas mensalmente entre agosto de 2002 e março de 2004. Nas plantas de morango, as amostras foram constituídas de três folhas coletadas em cada uma das 15 plantas escolhidas ao acaso, totalizando 45 folhas/campo. Nas plantas associadas, o esforço de amostragem foi de uma hora para cada planta avaliada. Ácaros das famílias Ascidae, Parasitidae, Phytoseiidae, Cunaxidae, Erythraeidae, Stigmaeidae e Tydeidae foram observados associados com o ácaro rajado, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836, praga importante na região onde este estudo foi conduzido. Vinte espécies foram identificadas, 14 das quais pertencem à família Phytoseiidae. Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks, 1905) e Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor, 1954) foram as espécies mais comuns. Nas plantas asssociadas, a maior diversidade foi observada em Richardia sp. (seis espécies), Agerantum conyzoides L.(quatro espécies) e Sonchus oleraceus L., Bidens pilosa L.e Rumex sp. (três espécies). Uma chave docotômica é apresentada para a identificação das espécies.

The aim of this study was to determine the species predatory mites on strawberry crop and associated plants in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. It was conducted in Bom Princípio, Capitão and Lajeado counties, in crops of strawberry Oso Grande variety in low tunnels. The evaluations were done monthly between August 2002 and March 2004. In the plants of strawberry, the samples were constituted of three leaves collected in each of 15 plants taken randomly, totaling 45 leaves/field. In the associated plants, the sampling effort was of one hour for each plant evaluated. Mites of the families Ascidae, Parasitidae, Phytoseiidae, Cunaxidae, Erythraeidae, Stigmaeidae and Tydeidae were observed associated with the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836, important pest of this crop in the region where the study was conducted. Twenty species were identified, 14 of which belong to the family Phytoseiidae. Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks, 1905) and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor, 1954) were the most common species. On associated plants, the highest diversity of predatory mites was found on Richardia sp. (six mite species), Agerantum conyzoides L. (four mite species) and Sonchus oleraceus L., Bidens pilosa L. and Rumex sp. (three mite species). A dichotomous key is presented for the separation of the species collected.