The Role of Predators and Other Biotic Agents in Regulating the Population Density of Phytophagous Mites in Ontario Peach Orchards

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Abstract
More than 40 species of insects and arachnids attack Panonychus ulmi (Koch), Tetranychus urticae Koch, T. canadensis (McGregor), Bryobia arborea Morgan and Anderson, or Aculus cornutus (Banks) in peach orchards of the Niagara Peninsula. The most effective predators attacking P. ulmi are Typhlodromus caudiglans Schuster, Haplothrips faurei Hood, Stethorus punctillum Weise, and Chrysopa spp. Peach orchards lack the predatory mirids characteristic of apple orchards. A condition, presumably disease, caused heavy mortality in one year. Endemic densities of P. ulmi are maintained in that state by predators, chiefly T. caudiglans, that subsist to a considerable extent on other sources of food, whereas epidemics of P. ulmi are reduced largely by other predators, chiefly H. faurei and S. punctillum, that increase in numbers by feeding on the mite during its period of rapid population growth but exert their greatest effect later in the season by destroying the winter eggs.