Determination the effectiveness of different release rates of neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (acari: phytoseiidae) in control of spider mite in apple orchards

Spider mites lead to significant pest in the areas where apple is produced. As they decrease fruits' market value and affect plants' yield for the next year, they are species having economic importance. Today, many negative aspects of chemical control have turned up. Spider mites have a lot of natural enemies and knowing their activities is important. Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is a predator species which is used to fight against spider mites. They have broad range of host plants and differ in terms of biological aspects in accordance with biological differences. In this study, activities and release ratio of predator N. californicus that is control against spider mites in apple orchards are determined. With this aim, experiment has been set in two different orchards in the same area. Study has been set according to random try parcels. 25, 50 and 100 predator mites(NC) were relased top er tree in parcels. No application has been used for control. In the orchards located in Çavundur Village where N. californicus has been relased, control, 25, 50 and 100 in 63rd day, 10.31, 2.58, 1.96, 1.69 spider mite moving stages (hd)/leaf and 8.09, 1.11, 0.66 and 1.16 egg/leaf have been found. In Alcıklar quarter, control, 25, 50 and 100 predatory mites release 63rd day 4.53, 1.02, 0.49, and 0.49hd/ leaf and in the same order 3.11, 0.67, 0.36 and 0.31 egg /leaf has been detected. Finally, As a result, red spider populations were suppressed at different times compared to the control in all treatments.