Efficacy of the predatory mites and entomopathogenic fungi against thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera : Thripidae)‎ infesting strawberry in Egypt

Abstract EN

The strawberry is one of the most popular berry fruits of the world.

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamins C and K as well as providing a good dose of fiber, folic acid, manganese and potassium.

Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a serious insect pests affecting strawberries in all stages of growth.

The aim of the present work is to study the efficacy of the predatory mites and entomopathogenic fungi (Beauveria bassiana ) against T.tabaci infesting strawberry in El- Behera Governorate (Bader centre).

The results indicated that the two predator mites, Typhlodromus swirskii Denmark and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Qudemans) ( Acari: Phytoseiidae) used to control strawberry T.tabaci by releasing two times at a rate of 5-10 /m2 during the season of productivity.

Four varieties; winterstar, florida, fortuna and markez were used.

The efficiency of the predatory mites was different according to the strawberry variety.

The predator T.swirskii proved to be more efficient than the predator N.

cucumeris.

The use of entomopathogenic fungi, B.

bassiana was less efficient than the predatory mites and the effect was varied according to the strawberry variety in control T.tabaci.

The study affirmed that the use of the predatory mites is very important in the integrated control program for strawberry T.tabaci.