Neoseiulus californicus , first identified by McGregor in 1954 on Citrus limon trees in California , is today one of the most effective and versatile instrument in integrated pest management ( IPM ) . From its source on the West Coast , this predatory mite has spread globally , fly high in regions like Argentina , Japan , South Africa , and across the Mediterranean . " What makesNeoseiulus californicussuch a popular choice in pest management is its adaptability across climate and its broad range of pest target , " says Dr Omid Joharchi of Anatis Bioprotection . " This speck protect a wide array of crop , include Persea Americana , citrus , grapevine , hemangioma simplex , corn whisky , and many vegetables and ornamental . "
A intercrossed Orion : combining specialist and Renaissance man skillsOne of the unique feature of speech ofN. californicus is its power to serve as both a specialist and a generalist predatory animal . " It acts like a hybrid , " Dr Joharchi explains . " On the one hand , it targets specific pests such as the two - spotted wanderer mite ( Tetranychus urticae ) , which is abundant in nursery and field crop . It can also trade to various other pest soupcon , lowly dirt ball , and even pollen when prey is scarce . " This threefold capability allowsN. californicusto be successful in both curative and preventative pest management programs , adjusting naturally to dissimilar pest population across divers crops .
Climate warrior : surviving in extreme conditionsAnother reason for the popularity ofN. californicusis its resilience in a all-inclusive range of mood . " Unlike many predatory mites that require static clime , N. californicusis extraordinarily adaptable , " suppose Dr Joharchi . It can flourish at temperature from 10 ° vitamin C to 33 ° C ( 50 - 91 ° F ) and in humidness levels from 40 % to 80 % . Additionally , it can live on abbreviated frigid snaps , tolerating block nighttime temperatures in surface area like northern Florida and even parts of Canada . " This capability makes it idealistic for areas with fluctuating climate , " Dr Joharchi adds , " giving growers a reliable pest dominance agent even in harsher conditions . "
Spider mite specialist : web - cuttingSpider soupcon , particularly the two - spotted variety , are among the most destructive pestilence , often forming dense webbing that can immobilise and repel predator . YetN. californicushas a unequalled reward . " It own specialized mouthpart , or chelicerae , to turn out through the webbing of spider speck , " Dr Joharchi says . " It utilize its front leg to create openings in the web - nests , admit it to perforate spider mite colonies effectively . " This distinctive World Wide Web - cutting ability makesN. californicusespecially effective in high - plague scenarios , where it can dismantle duncish webs and attack spider mite colony from within .
piranha beyond wanderer mitesN. californicusalso prey on other spider mite mites , tarsonemid speck like the broad jot ( Polyphagotarsonemus latus ) , and small pests such as thrips larvae . " During times of low-toned pest insistence , N. californicuscan survive on pollen , a trait that is incredibly useful for early - season applications , " Dr Joharchi notes . This capacity to hold out without pest populations makesN. californicusan ideal candidate for preventive deployment , as it can establish itself in a crop before major plague occur . " raiser are progressively using it in a ' piranha - in - first ' scheme , releasingN. californicusproactively , " he adds .
Strategic releaseN. californicusoffers flexibility in app . " The spillage scheme can be tailored to unlike crops and pest densities , " says Dr Joharchi . In strawberries , for representative , growers may release one femaleN. californicusfor every 10 two - fleck wanderer jot once pest are discover . " By adjusting liberation rate according to pest pressure , agriculturalist can achieve effective control without overspending on biologic agents , " Dr Joharchi explains .
" The unequalled character ofNeoseiulus californicusmake it an priceless ally in mod agriculture , " Dr Joharchi explains . " Its remarkable adaptability allows it to flourish in divers environmental condition , from chilly nights to warm , humid mean solar day , which makes it effective across a compass of climate where other predatory mintage might falter . "
Dr Joharchi also highlights its impressive versatility as a predator : " Unlike many species that aim only one pest , N. californicuspreys on multiple pest type , including spider mites , broad mites , and thrips larvae . It can even sustain itself on pollen during down in the mouth pest periods , set aside it to act as both a curative and preventative agent . " This trait is of the essence , he notes , as it letsN. californicusestablish itself in crops early , well before pest become a problem .
" What really makesN. californicusdifferent is its rarified vane - lancinating power , " Dr Joharchi continues . " This mite can cut through the dense webbing that spider mites use to harbour their colonies , penetrating and command infestations that might otherwise be challenging to manage . " He resolve , " With its resilience , wide predatory range , unique search skills , and prophylactic mogul , N. californicusis truly a game - changer in sustainable blighter direction , proffer growers a extremely effective and eco - friendly alternative to chemical substance ascendance . "
Reference for scientific info : Croft B.A. , Monetti L.N. and Pratt P.D. 1998 . relative life histories and predation types : are Neoseiulus californicus and N. fallacis ( Acari : Phytoseiidae ) similar character II selective predator of spider touch ? Environ . Entomol . 27 : 531–538 .
McMurtry J.A. and Croft B.A. 1997 . Life - expressive style of phytoseiid mites and their roles in biologic control . Annu . Rev. Entomol . 42 : 291–321 .
Nancy , M.G. , Norma , E.S. & Gerardo , G.L. ( 2005 ) Neoseiulus californicus ( Acari : Phytoseiidae ) as a possible control federal agent of Tetranychus urticae ( Acari : family Tetranychidae ): upshot of pest / predator ratio on pest abun dance on hemangioma simplex . Experimental & Applied Acarology , 37 , 57–66.http://dx.doi.org/10.1007 / s10493 - 005 - 0067 - 7
McMurtry , J.A. , Moraes , G.J. de & Famah Sourassou , N. ( 2013 ) alteration of the lifestyles of phytoseiid mites ( Acari : Phytoseiidae ) and implication for biological control scheme . Systematic & Applied Acarology , 18 , 297–320.http://dx.doi.org/10.11158 / saa.18.4.1
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