Mites associated with the avocado crop (<i>Persea americana</i> Mill) in the Central Coast of Peru

Abstract

Hass is an avocado cultivar grown in the central coastal region of Peru (Lima and Ica), with increasing economic importance, mainly to satisfy the high standards of foreign markets. This study (2010 to 2012, Central Coast), had the purpose to know the diversity of predatory mites in commercial avocado groves. Twelve Phytoseiidae species were registered, of which some would have potential as efficient predators of Olygonychus sp. These phytoseid species are: Amblyseius aerialis (Muma), Amblyseius chungas (Demmark and Muma), Amblyseiella setosa (Muma), Euseius emanus (El–Banhawy), Euseius concordis (Chant), Euseius stipulatus (Athias– Henriot), Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias-Henriot), Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks), Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), Typhlodromina subtropica (Chant), Typhlodromus (Antoseius) evectus (Schusters) and Aristadromips n.sp. The presence of spontaneous vegetation, considered weeds for the avocado, plays an important role in the conservation of these predatory species on the cultivated trees. Also, the introduction of an exotic predator, such as Euseius stipulates, contributed significantly to the regulation of the Red Spiders Mites populations during the winter season.