Plantago asiatica groundcover supports Amblyseius tsugawai (Acari: Phytoseiidae) populations in apple orchards

Ken Funayama, Shoji Sonoda

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    8 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Amblyseius tsugawai Ehara (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a major predator of spider mites in orchards in Japan. To support populations in apple orchards in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, we investigated whether it can use Plantago asiatica L. as a food resource. In laboratory tests, survival did not differ significantly between female adults given water only and those given a piece of P. asiatica leaf and water. However, A. tsugawai reproduces by feeding on P. asiatica pollen, and significantly more mites were reared on P. asiatica pollen than on tea pollen, which is commonly used for rearing phytoseiid mites. In orchards in 2013, female adults were observed on leaves of P. asiatica from late May; numbers peaked in mid-June and gradually decreased until late July. Most adults were found along veins on the hidden sides of the leaves. Female adults were also collected in Phyto traps attached to plants between late May and early August. Pollen production of P. asiatica peaked from mid-June to early July, when numbers of adults peaked on the plants. These results suggest that conservation of P. asiatica in apple orchards would sustain A. tsugawai populations.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)607-611
    Number of pages5
    JournalApplied Entomology and Zoology
    Volume49
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2014

    Keywords

    • Amblyseius tsugawai
    • Apple orchard
    • Integrated pest management
    • Plantago asiatica
    • Pollen

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Insect Science

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