Mite composition, method for rearing a phytoseiid predatory mite species, and use of the composition for controlling crop pests

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mite composition, the rearing thereof and to the use of the composition for controlling crop pests. The invention provides a mite composition comprising: a rearing population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species, a population of at least one species from the order Astigmata, and optionally a carrier, wherein the population of the species from the order Astigmata is not alive. In particular the population of the species from the order Astigmata is in fast frozen form. The composition is used for controlling crop pests, such as thrip species. The crops may be greenhouse grown crops and open field crops.

1 . A mite composition comprising:
 a rearing population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species,   a population of at least one species from the order Astigmata, and optionally a carrier,   
       characterized in that the population of the species from the order Astigmata is not alive. 
     
     
         2 . Composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the population of the species from the order Astigmata is in fast frozen form. 
     
     
         3 . Composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the phytoseiid predatory species is selected from the subfamily Amblyseiinae, the genus  Neoseiulus  the genus  Typhlodromalus    Typhlodromips  and the genus  Euseius    
     
     
         4 . Composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the species from the order Astigmata is selected from the:
 members of the family Acaridae,   from the family Carpoglyphidae, from the family Glycyphagidae; and   from the family Chortoglyphagidae,   
     
     
         5 . Composition according to  claim 1 , comprising a further nutritional source for the phytoseiid population such as pollen. 
     
     
         6 . A method for rearing a phytoseiid predatory mite comprising:
 providing a composition according to  claim 1 , allowing individuals of the phytoseiid predatory mite to prey on the population of the species from the order Astigmata.   
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 6 , wherein the rearing population is maintained at 20-30° C. and 70-90% relative humidity. 
     
     
         8 . A method of pest control which comprises applying to a location in need thereof of a pesticidaly effective amount of the composition according to  claim 1  for controlling a crop pest. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the crop pest is selected from a range of insect and mite pests, various other mite species, and other pest arthropods. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the location of application is selected from greenhouse grown crops and open field crops. 
     
     
         11 . Composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the phytoseiid predatory species is selected from the group consisting of  Amblyseius swirskii, Amblyseius cucumeris, Amblyseius largoensis, Amblyseius andersoni; Neoseiulus womersleyi, Neoseiulus califo nicus, Neoseiulus fallacis, Neoseiulus longispinosus; Typhlodromalus lailae, Typhlodromalus limonicus; Typhlodromips montdorensis; Euseius ovalis, Euseius scutalis, Euseius tularensis , and  Euseius hibisci.    
     
     
         12 . Composition according to  claim 1  , wherein the species from the order Astigmata is selected from members of the genus Acarus, the genus  Tyrophagus , the genus  Aleuroglyphus ,—the genus  Lardoglyphus ,—the genus  Caloglyphus , the genus  Suidasia  the genus  Thyreophagus ,—the genus  Carpoglyphus , the genus Glycyphagus,the genus  Lepidoglyphus , the genus  Blomia ,—and the genus  Chortoglyphus.    
     
     
         13 . Composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the species from the order Astigmata is selected from the species:  Acarus siro, Acarus farris, Acarus immobilis, Acarus chaetoxysilos, Tyrophagus longior, Tyrophagus similis, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Aleuroglyphus ovatus, Lardoglyphus konoi, Caloglyphus mycophagus, Suidasia nesbitti,Thyreophagus entomophagus, Carpoglyphus lactis, Carpoglyphus munroi, Glycyphagus domesticus, Lepidoglyphus destructor. Blomia freeman ! and  Chortoglyphus arcuatus.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the crop pest is selected from thrip species, white-fly species, spider mite species ( Tetranychus, Panonychus ), tomato russet mite, the broad mite, and the avocado brown mite. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the crop location of application is selected from. vegetable, salad, soft fruit ornamentals, avocado, banana, coconut, tea, and top fruit.