However, some other predatory mites and insects have been used with different
outcomes. Several attempts have been undertaken to manage T. urticae populations
in agricultural crops, such as the application of new safe acaricides with the lower
concentrations plus release of predacious mites such as P. persimlis in glasshouses
on cucumber (Arbabi 2007), bean, cotton and soybean (Daneshvar and Abaii 1994).
4.3 Important Predatory Mites
4.3.1 Order Mesostigmata
4.3.1.1 Family Phytoseiidae
In the nineteenth century, phytoseiid mites were considered and released locally as
potential predators. Up to 1951, only 45 species were introduced for the world fauna
(McMurtry et al. 2015), but especially in the past six decades; they were studied
intensely which their number by April 2014 is estimated as 2709 species (Kostianinen and Hoy 1996; Arbabi et al. 2011; McMurtry et al. 2015).
However, predation capacity for many species is unknown and probably only
3–5% of them can be used effectively against pest species (Sabelis 1985; McMurty
1982).
Phytoseiidae, the most well-known predatory mites has been generally considered as the most promising predators of pest mites and tiny insects on different crops
and ornamentals. They feed on fungi, pollen and nectar as supplements (Helle and
Sabelis 1985; Zhang 2003; Lundgren 2009). Interestingly, several species within this
family may develop and reproduce by feeding exclusively on pollen (Ferragut et al.
1987; Zhimo and McMurtry 1990; Grafton-Cardwell et al. 1999; Nomikou et al.
2002; Ragusa et al. 2009; Khanamani et al. 2017). They are voracious predators and
some of them have a high reproductive rate. These features collectively make them
as appropriate candidates against greenhouse pests including mites and thrips
(Koehler 1999). About 20 species are now mass reared commercially for biological
control purposes (Gerson et al. 2003).
4.3.1.1.1 Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957
One of the earliest biological control experiences on greenhouse productions was carried out by the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP) with Gyah Bazr
Alvand Co’s cooperation. In this project, 16 commercial natural enemies were evaluated on 12.93 ha cucumber, tomato, strawberry and bell pepper greenhouses for
two cropping systems in Teheran, Isfahan, Markazi and Ghazvin provinces. Among
those biological agents, the predatory mite species Amblyseius swirskii AthiasHenriot was used against thrips and greenhouse whitefly and two species,
4 Applied Ecology of Some Predacious Mites in Iran
145
outcomes. Several attempts have been undertaken to manage T. urticae populations
in agricultural crops, such as the application of new safe acaricides with the lower
concentrations plus release of predacious mites such as P. persimlis in glasshouses
on cucumber (Arbabi 2007), bean, cotton and soybean (Daneshvar and Abaii 1994).
4.3 Important Predatory Mites
4.3.1 Order Mesostigmata
4.3.1.1 Family Phytoseiidae
In the nineteenth century, phytoseiid mites were considered and released locally as
potential predators. Up to 1951, only 45 species were introduced for the world fauna
(McMurtry et al. 2015), but especially in the past six decades; they were studied
intensely which their number by April 2014 is estimated as 2709 species (Kostianinen and Hoy 1996; Arbabi et al. 2011; McMurtry et al. 2015).
However, predation capacity for many species is unknown and probably only
3–5% of them can be used effectively against pest species (Sabelis 1985; McMurty
1982).
Phytoseiidae, the most well-known predatory mites has been generally considered as the most promising predators of pest mites and tiny insects on different crops
and ornamentals. They feed on fungi, pollen and nectar as supplements (Helle and
Sabelis 1985; Zhang 2003; Lundgren 2009). Interestingly, several species within this
family may develop and reproduce by feeding exclusively on pollen (Ferragut et al.
1987; Zhimo and McMurtry 1990; Grafton-Cardwell et al. 1999; Nomikou et al.
2002; Ragusa et al. 2009; Khanamani et al. 2017). They are voracious predators and
some of them have a high reproductive rate. These features collectively make them
as appropriate candidates against greenhouse pests including mites and thrips
(Koehler 1999). About 20 species are now mass reared commercially for biological
control purposes (Gerson et al. 2003).
4.3.1.1.1 Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957
One of the earliest biological control experiences on greenhouse productions was carried out by the Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection (IRIPP) with Gyah Bazr
Alvand Co’s cooperation. In this project, 16 commercial natural enemies were evaluated on 12.93 ha cucumber, tomato, strawberry and bell pepper greenhouses for
two cropping systems in Teheran, Isfahan, Markazi and Ghazvin provinces. Among
those biological agents, the predatory mite species Amblyseius swirskii AthiasHenriot was used against thrips and greenhouse whitefly and two species,
4 Applied Ecology of Some Predacious Mites in Iran
145