Generalist predatory mites belonging to the family Phytoseiidae can persist in European apple orchards when prey is scarce by feeding on pollen and other alternative foods. It has been reported that grass management can affect pollen availability on apple leaves with implications for phytoseiid persistence. The use of pesticides is a major factor affecting phytoseiid abundance in apple orchards. In this study we compared the effects of a number of pesticides on populations of Kampimodromus aberrans in two apple orchards with a different grass management, i.e. a high or a low grass mowing frequency. Reducing grass mowing frequency resulted in higher predatory mite numbers probably because of a higher pollen availability on apple leaves. A laboratory study was planned to demonstrate the role of pollen vailability in mediating interactions between pesticides and phytoseiids.

Baldessari, M.; Angeli, G.; Girolami, V.; Pozzebon, A.; Tirello, P.; Duso, C. (2010). Does windborne pollen mediate the effects of pesticides on predatory mites?. IOBC/WPRS BULLETIN, 54: 132. handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/20348

Does windborne pollen mediate the effects of pesticides on predatory mites?

Baldessari, Mario;Angeli, Gino;
2010-01-01

Abstract

Generalist predatory mites belonging to the family Phytoseiidae can persist in European apple orchards when prey is scarce by feeding on pollen and other alternative foods. It has been reported that grass management can affect pollen availability on apple leaves with implications for phytoseiid persistence. The use of pesticides is a major factor affecting phytoseiid abundance in apple orchards. In this study we compared the effects of a number of pesticides on populations of Kampimodromus aberrans in two apple orchards with a different grass management, i.e. a high or a low grass mowing frequency. Reducing grass mowing frequency resulted in higher predatory mite numbers probably because of a higher pollen availability on apple leaves. A laboratory study was planned to demonstrate the role of pollen vailability in mediating interactions between pesticides and phytoseiids.
Phytoseiidae
Pollen
Pesticides
Kampimodromus aberrans
Grass management
2010
Baldessari, M.; Angeli, G.; Girolami, V.; Pozzebon, A.; Tirello, P.; Duso, C. (2010). Does windborne pollen mediate the effects of pesticides on predatory mites?. IOBC/WPRS BULLETIN, 54: 132. handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/20348
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/20348
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact