The study on dispersal process of broad mite polyphagotarsonemus latus (banks) (acarina: tarsonemidae) to vegetable greenhouses

In this study, the infestation period of Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (broad mite) and the role of factors for infestation were investigated in vegetable greenhouses. The study was carried out in tomato, green pepper and eggplant growing greenhouses located in two regions (Cakirlar and Kumluca) of Antalya between autumn 2004 and 2005. In this study sticky traps and plant sampling were used during the sampling period. The results of samplings showed that cotton whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn) played a central role in dispersal of broad mite into greenhouse and other carriers of broad mite such as thrips, aphids and leaf miners were not played an important role in transport mechanism of this pest. Phoresy was higher in and out of greenhouses in September, October and November. The level of dispersal was very low in December and was not observed in the rest of year. Also, the wind-born dispersal of broad mite was not detected in current study. The carrying capacity of whitefly ranged from 1 to 8 broad mites. The population density of P. latus was highest on greenhouse-grown pepper and lowest on tomato. Phoresy was also highest on pepper. In laboratory studies, B.tabaci was found to be predominant species carrying broad mites, while broad mite was carried with Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) occasionally, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess)was not detected as carry of broad mite. Depend on broad mite density and coploument time, B. tabaci had up to 18 mites carrying on legs, mouthparts and antenna.