Biological control methods for agricultural mites: A review Daniels Alicia1,*, Maharaj Gyanpriya2, Ram Mark1, Lakenarine Rovindra1 1Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, Guyana 2Center for the Study of Biological Diversity, University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, Guyana *Corresponding Author: Alicia Daniels, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, Guyana, Email: ebonicadaniels@gmail.com
Online published on 6 April, 2023. Abstract Agriculture is the most important economic activity around the world with its contributions reflected by its share in the gross domestic product of countries. It ensures food security, provides raw materials for many industries and employment opportunities. Today, pest and diseases are among the main challenges plaguing the agricultural sector. More specifically, phytophagous mites are devastating many economically important crops worldwide. Tetranychus urticae Koch (Two-spotted spider mites), Raoiella indica Hirst, (red palm mites), Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks (broad mites) and Panonychus ulmi Koch (European red mites) are widely known for their extensive damage to crops. To control these mites, farmers have incorporated the use of pesticides into their farming systems. However, chemical control comes with many problems such as insect resistance, detrimental environmental effects and various human health implications. As such biological control is an environmentally friendly alternative that uses bio-control agents such as predators, pathogens and parasitoids to control pests. In this review, it was found that predators and pathogens were the most widely used biocontrol agents, specifically, the Amblyseius spp. Berlese were most effective and widely documented. The available literature also suggests that for successful control of agricultural mites via biological control, there needs to be a clear understanding of the behaviors of these mites and the bio-control agents used. Top Keywords Amblyseius spp, Biological control, Phytophagous mites, Raoiella indica, Tetranychus urticae. Top |