they can feed on fungi, plant exudates, pollen grains and some have the ability to
extract liquid from leaf cells (McMurtry et al. 2013). This family has received the
most attention since the 1950s when it became clear that they have economic
importance as natural predators of phytophagous mites and small insects, and
therefore are useful in the biological control of crop pests (Swirski et al. 1967).
Most phytoseiids usually develop within a week at 25
C which make them effective
natural enemies of the pests (Hoy 2011). Adult females can oviposit throughout the
year in tropical and subtropical areas and also in greenhouses in the temperate area
(Zhang 1963). This family are now valued and 20 species of phytoseiid mites have
been commercially reared and sold in more than 50 countries all over the world
(Zhang 1963; Gerson et al. 2003) that provide effective pest control in greenhouses
and on agricultural crops (Bjornson 2008).
In the initial stage of biological control programs of pest mites with predatory
mites, Chant (1961) explained when Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot was
periodically released in a greenhouse experiment, had ability to control T. urticae.
Similar results were obtained by Hussey et al. (1965) on greenhouse cucumbers and
Oatman and McMurtry (1966) as well as Oatman et al. (1977) in field-grown
strawberry plants. McMurtry and Croft (1997) demonstrated periodic releases of
predatory mites on cotton, hops and mint. In addition to types I and II predators,
other predators i.e. types III and IV can be effective in controlling the target pests.
McMurtry and Scriven (1971) demonstrated predation capacity of Amblydromalus
limonicus (Garman and McGregor), a type III predator, on Oligonychus punicae
(Hirst). Several studies have been shown the effect of Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten
on Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Nyrop 1988) and Euseius hibisci (Chant), a type IV
predator, is the most abundant predaceous mite in the strawberry-growing area. It is
commonly associated with T. urticae, both on strawberries and castor bean (Ricinus
communis) surrounding the strawberry plants. This predaceous mite also feeds on
pollen and other insect pests such as various instars of whiteflies (Badii et al. 2004).
In 1988, a strain of P. persimilis was introduced into Iran from the Netherlands
(Department of Entomology, Wageningen Agricultural University) (Daneshvar
1989) and was a beneficial biocontrol agent in greenhouses and outdoors (Daneshvar
and Abaii 1994) and during the following three decades, other exotic species were
employed. In the last decade, more researches have dealt with life history, foraging
behavior and interactions and population dynamisms in laboratory conditions.
3.2.1.4.1 Introduced Phytoseiid Mites in Iran
Phytoseiulus persimilis According to McMurtry et al. (2013), this species is
classified as a specialized predator. This species has the ability to rapidly increase
and overcome outbreak populations of two-spotted spider mites (McMurtry and
Croft 1997). This predatory mite owing to its specificity on spider mites with
commercial name Spidex
® is mass produced and is used in Iran and around the
world. Most early studies focused on the ability of this predaceous mite to rapidly
92
H. Hajiqanbar and A. Farazmand
extract liquid from leaf cells (McMurtry et al. 2013). This family has received the
most attention since the 1950s when it became clear that they have economic
importance as natural predators of phytophagous mites and small insects, and
therefore are useful in the biological control of crop pests (Swirski et al. 1967).
Most phytoseiids usually develop within a week at 25
C which make them effective
natural enemies of the pests (Hoy 2011). Adult females can oviposit throughout the
year in tropical and subtropical areas and also in greenhouses in the temperate area
(Zhang 1963). This family are now valued and 20 species of phytoseiid mites have
been commercially reared and sold in more than 50 countries all over the world
(Zhang 1963; Gerson et al. 2003) that provide effective pest control in greenhouses
and on agricultural crops (Bjornson 2008).
In the initial stage of biological control programs of pest mites with predatory
mites, Chant (1961) explained when Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot was
periodically released in a greenhouse experiment, had ability to control T. urticae.
Similar results were obtained by Hussey et al. (1965) on greenhouse cucumbers and
Oatman and McMurtry (1966) as well as Oatman et al. (1977) in field-grown
strawberry plants. McMurtry and Croft (1997) demonstrated periodic releases of
predatory mites on cotton, hops and mint. In addition to types I and II predators,
other predators i.e. types III and IV can be effective in controlling the target pests.
McMurtry and Scriven (1971) demonstrated predation capacity of Amblydromalus
limonicus (Garman and McGregor), a type III predator, on Oligonychus punicae
(Hirst). Several studies have been shown the effect of Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten
on Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Nyrop 1988) and Euseius hibisci (Chant), a type IV
predator, is the most abundant predaceous mite in the strawberry-growing area. It is
commonly associated with T. urticae, both on strawberries and castor bean (Ricinus
communis) surrounding the strawberry plants. This predaceous mite also feeds on
pollen and other insect pests such as various instars of whiteflies (Badii et al. 2004).
In 1988, a strain of P. persimilis was introduced into Iran from the Netherlands
(Department of Entomology, Wageningen Agricultural University) (Daneshvar
1989) and was a beneficial biocontrol agent in greenhouses and outdoors (Daneshvar
and Abaii 1994) and during the following three decades, other exotic species were
employed. In the last decade, more researches have dealt with life history, foraging
behavior and interactions and population dynamisms in laboratory conditions.
3.2.1.4.1 Introduced Phytoseiid Mites in Iran
Phytoseiulus persimilis According to McMurtry et al. (2013), this species is
classified as a specialized predator. This species has the ability to rapidly increase
and overcome outbreak populations of two-spotted spider mites (McMurtry and
Croft 1997). This predatory mite owing to its specificity on spider mites with
commercial name Spidex
® is mass produced and is used in Iran and around the
world. Most early studies focused on the ability of this predaceous mite to rapidly
92
H. Hajiqanbar and A. Farazmand