Observationson predation of Rhizoglyphus robini(Acari: Acaridae) on the alfalfa stem nematode, Ditylenchusdipsaci(Nematoda)

Joharchi, Omid; Nazari, Ali; Halliday, Bruce; Ostovan, Hadi

doi:10.22073/pja.v4i3.13249

Observationson predation of Rhizoglyphus robini(Acari: Acaridae) on the alfalfa stem nematode, Ditylenchusdipsaci(Nematoda)

Authors

Omid Joharchi ¹

Ali Nazari ²

Bruce Halliday ³

Hadi Ostovan ⁴

¹ Plant Protection Department, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Yazd, Iran;

² Art & Architectural Department, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran;

³ Australian National Insect Collection, CSIRO, GPO Box 1700, Canberra ACT 2601,Australia;

⁴ Department of Entomology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran;

10.22073/pja.v4i3.13249

Abstract

The alfalfa stem nematode, Ditylenchus dipsaci (Kühn) causes substantial damage to alfalfa crops in Iran every year. Rhizoglyphus robini Claparède is a polyphagous pest of bulbs, corms and tubers, but can be beneficial in some situations. This study examined the effect of R. robini as a predator of D. dipsaci in greenhouse conditions. Pot experiments showed that R. robini caused high mortality of D. dipsaci. The effect of R. robini density on mortality of D. dipsaci was mathematically modeled using the response surface methodology (RSM). These observations suggest that R. robini may contribute to regulate populations of this nematode.

Keywords

Rhizoglyphus robini

biological control

Ditylenchus dipsaci

alfalfa stem nematode

predator