compatible tactics (Hoy 2011). IPM could be defined as a systemic approach in
which interacting components act together to reduce pest population to tolerable
levels and minimizing the disadvantages of pest control programes (Fathipour and
Sedaratian 2013; Pedigo and Rice 2015). Among the different controlling methods,
biological control using natural enemies has a unique position. Although biological
control will not eradicate all pest individuals and actually, it is not the goal of
biological control, it could be served as a foundation for a more comprehensive
pest control strategy, i.e. IPM, which combines a variety of pest control methods.
Biological control can be effective, economical, and safe and it should be more
widely used than it is today (Mahr et al. 2008).
During the past few years, considerable researches on many aspects of predatory
mites have been carried on by Iranian scientists however, a few of them were
developed and put into practice. To improve biological control measures using
predatory mites, attempts should be made to eliminate constraints and strengthen
local research programs. The results of researches with the aim of using predatory
mites in greenhouse products primarily were reviewed in this chapter.
4.2 Important Mite Pests
During the recent half century, mites damages have become gradually a problem in
the qualitative and quantitative production of agricultural products in Iran, but still,
there is no clear estimation of yield loss by mite pests. In the next parts, we tried to
cite some of the studies carried on by Iranian researchers on these important pests.
4.2.1 Two- Spotted Spider Mite
Because of the short life cycle under optimal temperature, this species has a quick
developmental resistance capability against pesticides than any other greenhouse
pest. This necessitates the higher application of acaricide dosages or frequency,
which in turn causes other associated hazards like pest resistance, pest resurgence,
toxic residual contaminations on fresh greenhouse products, human poisonings and
mortality of natural enemies and pollinators. Therefore, these disadvantages make
other environmentally safe control tactics are necessary for effective management of
T. urticae, especially within greenhouses (Zhang 2003).
Many different natural enemies are associated with T. urticae under field and
greenhouse conditions. These enemies are either predators or pathogens, but there
are no known parasitoids of spider mites so far (McMurtry et al. 1970). There are two
categories of predacious species in greenhouses that feed on two-spotted spider
mites; those which occur naturally and those which are artificially introduced. The
predacious phytoseiid mite, especially Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot is the
major specialist species used to control two- spotted spider mites in greenhouses.
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H. Madadi and H. Kamali
which interacting components act together to reduce pest population to tolerable
levels and minimizing the disadvantages of pest control programes (Fathipour and
Sedaratian 2013; Pedigo and Rice 2015). Among the different controlling methods,
biological control using natural enemies has a unique position. Although biological
control will not eradicate all pest individuals and actually, it is not the goal of
biological control, it could be served as a foundation for a more comprehensive
pest control strategy, i.e. IPM, which combines a variety of pest control methods.
Biological control can be effective, economical, and safe and it should be more
widely used than it is today (Mahr et al. 2008).
During the past few years, considerable researches on many aspects of predatory
mites have been carried on by Iranian scientists however, a few of them were
developed and put into practice. To improve biological control measures using
predatory mites, attempts should be made to eliminate constraints and strengthen
local research programs. The results of researches with the aim of using predatory
mites in greenhouse products primarily were reviewed in this chapter.
4.2 Important Mite Pests
During the recent half century, mites damages have become gradually a problem in
the qualitative and quantitative production of agricultural products in Iran, but still,
there is no clear estimation of yield loss by mite pests. In the next parts, we tried to
cite some of the studies carried on by Iranian researchers on these important pests.
4.2.1 Two- Spotted Spider Mite
Because of the short life cycle under optimal temperature, this species has a quick
developmental resistance capability against pesticides than any other greenhouse
pest. This necessitates the higher application of acaricide dosages or frequency,
which in turn causes other associated hazards like pest resistance, pest resurgence,
toxic residual contaminations on fresh greenhouse products, human poisonings and
mortality of natural enemies and pollinators. Therefore, these disadvantages make
other environmentally safe control tactics are necessary for effective management of
T. urticae, especially within greenhouses (Zhang 2003).
Many different natural enemies are associated with T. urticae under field and
greenhouse conditions. These enemies are either predators or pathogens, but there
are no known parasitoids of spider mites so far (McMurtry et al. 1970). There are two
categories of predacious species in greenhouses that feed on two-spotted spider
mites; those which occur naturally and those which are artificially introduced. The
predacious phytoseiid mite, especially Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot is the
major specialist species used to control two- spotted spider mites in greenhouses.
144
H. Madadi and H. Kamali