jameslitsinger.files.wordpress.com€¦  · Web viewP. J. Workman, J. J. Dymock, N. A. Martin, I. L. Ennis. 1994. The potential for biological control of thrips in greenhouse capsicums

P. J. Workman, J. J. Dymock, N. A. Martin, I. L. Ennis. 1994. The potential for biological control of thrips in greenhouse capsicums using the predatory mite, Amblyseius cucumeris. Pages 139-143. In: Proceedings of the 47th New Zealand Plant Protection Conference held at Copthorne Hotel, Waitangi on 9-11 August 1994, sponsored by the New Zealand Plant Protection Society.

Keywords: a laboratory colony of the predatory mite, Amblyseius cucumeris was established from populations found on Thunbergia alata and strawberries in Auckland, predatory mites were reared on the mold mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae and released in a crop of greenhouse capsicums to control Thris tabaci and Thrips obscuratus, releases were made Sep and Oct 1993 at the rate of 10.6 and 140 predators per plant, respectively, and in Feb 1994 at 57 predators/plant, low thrips populations and high predator numbers were maintained for 12 weeks, neither thrips damage to plants nor viral infection of fruit were detected, use of T. cucumeris will be restricted to growers using integrated pest management programs