Seasonal Activity of Ollgonychus indicus (Acari: Tetranychidae) and its Predators on Sorghum

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Authors

  • Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Dharwad-580 005 ,IN
  • Regional Research Station, V.C. Farm, Mandya - 571405 ,IN

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18311/jbc/1992/15194

Keywords:

Seasonal Activity, Oligonychus indicus, Predators, Weather Factors.

Abstract

The seasonal fluctuations of the mite Oligonychus indicus Hirst was studied on sorghum for a period of 18 months. The mite occurred throughout the year. It started building up during December and reached to peak activity during April, May, August and September. Predators and rainfall appeared to be regulatory factors. The predators observed to prey upon O. indicus were Stethorus pauperculus Weise, Oligota oviformis Casey and Scolothrips sexmaculatus Pergande, Tapinoma melanocephalum F. and phytoseiid mites belonging to Amhlyseius sp. Increases in mite population were associated with periods of less rainfall, lower relative humidity and higher mean temperature.