Biological control of yellow mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus on Capsicum chinense Bathari M.1, Rahman S.1, Sharmah D.1,* Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat 1KVK (ICAR), South Tripura, Tripura *Corresponding author Email: dasharmah@gmail.com
Online published on 23 October, 2018. Abstract A study on the biological control of yellow mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus in hotchilli, Capsicum chinense was carried out in the Acarology laboratory, and under field conditions at the Department of Entomology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during 2014 and 2015. The predatory mite Amblyseius cucumeris as biocontrol agent was evaluated. Under laboratory conditions, there was maximum reduction of yellow mite with 1: 12 predator-prey ratio, while there was least reduction with 1: 33 ratio. Under field conditions, A. cucumeris release @5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 predators/leaf resulted in significant control, with highest reduction being achieved with release of 10 predators/leaf i.e., 56. 95, 83.06, 100 and 100% after 3, 6, 9 and 12 days of release, respectively. The predatory mite A. cucumeris was found to be thus effective in controlling the yellow mite even at low pest density under field condition. Top Keywords Capsicum chinense, yellow mite, biocontrol, predator, Amblyseiuscucumeris, predation, laboratory and field efficacy, pest density. Top |