Mites associated with the avocado crop (Persea americana 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.En la costa central de Perú (Lima e Ica), se cultiva el aguacate con fines de exportación, especialmente la variedad Hass. Con el objetivo de conocer la diversidad de ácaros depredadores en huertos comerciales de aguacate, se realizaron recolectas en 6 lugares de la costa central, durante el 2010 al 2012. Se registraron 12 especies de la familia Phytoseiidae, de los cuales algunos tendrían potencial como depredadores eficientes de Oligonychus sp. (Guanilo et ál. 2012); estos son: Amblyseius aerialis (Muma), Amblyseius chungas (Demmark y 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) y Aristadromips n.sp. Se confirmó que la vegetación espontánea cumple un rol importante en la conservación de las especies halladas en este cultivo y que además la introducción de un ácaro depredador exótico, como Euseius stipulatus, contribuyó significativamente con el control de la plaga durante la temporada de invierno.