Integrated Biological Control Strategies for Citrus Rust Mites: Distribution, Impact on Mandarin Quality, and the Efficacy of <i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>

Citrus rust mites (<i>Phyllocoptruta oleivora</i> Ashmead) are a major pest in citrus orchards, significantly affecting fruit quality and yield. Effective management of these mites is crucial for maintaining the economic viability of citrus production. This study investigated the ecologi...

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Main Authors: Syed Usman Mahmood, Xiaoyi Huang, Runqian Mao, Huihua Hao, Xiaoduan Fang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Insects
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/11/837
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author Syed Usman Mahmood
Xiaoyi Huang
Runqian Mao
Huihua Hao
Xiaoduan Fang
author_facet Syed Usman Mahmood
Xiaoyi Huang
Runqian Mao
Huihua Hao
Xiaoduan Fang
author_sort Syed Usman Mahmood
collection DOAJ
description Citrus rust mites (<i>Phyllocoptruta oleivora</i> Ashmead) are a major pest in citrus orchards, significantly affecting fruit quality and yield. Effective management of these mites is crucial for maintaining the economic viability of citrus production. This study investigated the ecological distribution of citrus rust mites and their natural predator, <i>A. largoensis</i>, in a mandarin orchard in Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City, of China. This research focused on population densities across different orchard sections and assessed the impact of mite infestations on the biochemical composition of mandarins, including vitamin C, soluble solids, acidity, and mineral content. Results showed that citrus rust mite populations were highest in the southern and western sections of the orchard. Infested fruits had reduced vitamin C and soluble solids but increased acidity and calcium levels. <i>A. largoensis</i> exhibited a strong functional (Type II) and numerical response, with higher predation rates and reproductive output for moderate prey densities. The findings emphasize the importance of targeted pest management strategies in citrus rust mite hotspots and highlight <i>A. largoensis</i> as a promising biological control agent. Future research should optimize its use in integrated pest management programs by focusing on areas of the orchard with high mite densities.
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Insects
spelling doaj-art-c6c5de5cd88e4d3c91dd3fc9f70fd0ae2024-11-26T18:07:01ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-10-01151183710.3390/insects15110837Integrated Biological Control Strategies for Citrus Rust Mites: Distribution, Impact on Mandarin Quality, and the Efficacy of <i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>Syed Usman Mahmood0Xiaoyi Huang1Runqian Mao2Huihua Hao3Xiaoduan Fang4Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, ChinaDepartment of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Qiongtai Normal University, Haikou 571127, ChinaGuangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, ChinaDepartment of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Qiongtai Normal University, Haikou 571127, ChinaGuangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510260, ChinaCitrus rust mites (<i>Phyllocoptruta oleivora</i> Ashmead) are a major pest in citrus orchards, significantly affecting fruit quality and yield. Effective management of these mites is crucial for maintaining the economic viability of citrus production. This study investigated the ecological distribution of citrus rust mites and their natural predator, <i>A. largoensis</i>, in a mandarin orchard in Zengcheng District, Guangzhou City, of China. This research focused on population densities across different orchard sections and assessed the impact of mite infestations on the biochemical composition of mandarins, including vitamin C, soluble solids, acidity, and mineral content. Results showed that citrus rust mite populations were highest in the southern and western sections of the orchard. Infested fruits had reduced vitamin C and soluble solids but increased acidity and calcium levels. <i>A. largoensis</i> exhibited a strong functional (Type II) and numerical response, with higher predation rates and reproductive output for moderate prey densities. The findings emphasize the importance of targeted pest management strategies in citrus rust mite hotspots and highlight <i>A. largoensis</i> as a promising biological control agent. Future research should optimize its use in integrated pest management programs by focusing on areas of the orchard with high mite densities.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/11/837<i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>biochemical analysiscitrus rust mitebiological controlintegrated pest managementmandarin orchard
spellingShingle Syed Usman Mahmood
Xiaoyi Huang
Runqian Mao
Huihua Hao
Xiaoduan Fang
Integrated Biological Control Strategies for Citrus Rust Mites: Distribution, Impact on Mandarin Quality, and the Efficacy of <i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>
Insects
<i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>
biochemical analysis
citrus rust mite
biological control
integrated pest management
mandarin orchard
title Integrated Biological Control Strategies for Citrus Rust Mites: Distribution, Impact on Mandarin Quality, and the Efficacy of <i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>
title_full Integrated Biological Control Strategies for Citrus Rust Mites: Distribution, Impact on Mandarin Quality, and the Efficacy of <i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>
title_fullStr Integrated Biological Control Strategies for Citrus Rust Mites: Distribution, Impact on Mandarin Quality, and the Efficacy of <i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>
title_full_unstemmed Integrated Biological Control Strategies for Citrus Rust Mites: Distribution, Impact on Mandarin Quality, and the Efficacy of <i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>
title_short Integrated Biological Control Strategies for Citrus Rust Mites: Distribution, Impact on Mandarin Quality, and the Efficacy of <i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>
title_sort integrated biological control strategies for citrus rust mites distribution impact on mandarin quality and the efficacy of i amblyseius largoensis i
topic <i>Amblyseius largoensis</i>
biochemical analysis
citrus rust mite
biological control
integrated pest management
mandarin orchard
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/11/837
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