Biology and control of Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) (Acarina: Penthaleidae): A review

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Abstract

Halotydeus destructor (Tucker) (Acari: Penthaleidae) is a major pest of pastures, crops and vegetables, in regions of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, with cool wet winters and hot dry summers. The taxonomy, distribution, biology, ecology and control of H. destructor are reviewed. Halotydeus destructor is essentially a soil mite, spending 90% of its time on or near the soil surface and moving up onto plants only to feed. After penetrating the epidermis, the cell contents are sucked up. Other mites are attracted to volatiles released from the leaves damaged by feeding mites and they usually feed in aggregations. Although they feed on a wide range of plant species, their reproductive success varies considerably on different plant species. Mites are more abundant and more eggs are laid on an annual pasture at a site with high rainfall than one with lower rainfall. The rate of oviposition is probably resource limited. When pasture is grazed short, the mites are less abundant, but the same number of eggs are laid. Halotydeus destructor requires a high relative humidity and the active mite mortality is probably greater at low relative humidities in short pasture. Halotydeus destructor completes three generations a year. The summer is passed as a diapausing egg in the cadaver of an adult female mite on the soil surface. Long-distance passive dispersal probably occurs when these female cadavers are blown by the wind. Plant varieties with resistance to H. destructor are being developed in subclovers (subterranean clover, Trifolium subterraneum L.), medics (Medicago spp.) and canola (Brassica napus), to reduce the considerable economic losses caused by the mites. Mechanisms of resistance have been identified in subclover seedlings. It appears to be more beneficial to control H. destructor in spring than in autumn, particularly in a pasture before a crop. The future management of this pest will require the integration of plant resistance with other control methods.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)195-224
Number of pages30
JournalExperimental and Applied Acarology
Volume21
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Apr 1997

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