| Spatial distribution pattern of the mite Pronematus ubiquitus (Trombidiformes: Iolinidae) on mulberry (Morus nigra L.) and green bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Kermanshah city |
| Paper ID : 1106-IPCA5 (R1) |
| Authors |
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Azadeh Jamshidi1, Maryam Darbemamieh *2, Abbas Ali Zamani2 1Department of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Razi University 2Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran |
| Abstract |
| The prostigmatic mite, Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor, 1932) (Trombidiformes: Iolinidae), is small and fast-moving mite which significantly, reduces the population of some pests like phytophagous mites and diseases like powdery mildews. The usage of this predator as a biological control agent can significantly reduce the consumption of chemical pesticides by feeding on eggs and immature stages of plant feeding mites like eriophyids or tetranychids. On the leaf surface of some plants like Solanaceae, there are a large number of glandular trichomes which prevents predators such as phytoseiid mites from settling and moving properly. However, the predatory mite, P. ubiquitus, can easily move across such leaves as well as smooth leaves of host plants and feed on pests and pathogens on both leaf surfaces. It also can be used as a scavenger to improve sanitation of different crops by feeding on exuvia, dead bodies and honeydew as well as fungi. The spatial distribution pattern of the P. ubiquitus on mulberry trees and green bean plants was studied in the spring, summer and autumn of 2024 in Kermanshah city. The selection of these host were based on presence of higher population of this mite on these plants in Kermanshah condition. Sampling was carried out regularly with one week intervals and a leaf considered as sampling unit. Primary sampling performed with 30 samples and the sample size for each date was determined considering a relative variance of 0.25 and with the previous sampling information. In this study, two methods of Taylor's Power Law and Iwao’s Patchiness Regression were used to determine the spatial distribution pattern of P. ubiquitus mites. Distribution pattern of this mite on the studied plants was obtained aggregated for both indices. It shows that presence of each mite increases the probability of other’s presence nearby and mites gather to use a source of pray or food. This type of distribution is common in different families of mites like Tetranychidae, Tydeidae and Phytoseiidae, especially in those with clustered oviposition. Also, feeding on a colony of fungi or pests could be considered as the reason of aggregation. The spatial distribution pattern of predator mites can help to improve its sampling programs and determine appropriate sample sizes to estimate their population for use in integrated pest management programs on different crops. |
| Keywords |
| Tydeoidea, predatory mites, scavenger, biological control, Acari, sampling |
| Status: Abstract Accepted |
