ISSN 2360-7971
Abstract
Two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is a known serious pest of several crops. Due to its rapid outbreak and short life cycle, it is difficult to control T. Urticae. However, nowadays biological control using predatory mites and chemical control using miticides are available. Predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus, which feeds on a variety of prey, can effectively control T. Urticae. Thus to employ this method a better understanding of the role of infochemicals is required. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to review role of infochemicals in the relationships between two-spotted mite Tetranychus urticae and N. Californicus. To achieve this objective peer-reviewed articles were used and reviewed. The source of infochemicals can be T. Urticae itself, its host plants, the combination of the two and organisms related with T. Urticae. Thus, infochemicals originated from those listed sources have great role for the tritrophic interaction between N. Californicus, plants and T. Urticae. The infochemicals help T. Urticae to recognize the presence of their enemy such as N. Californicus. Infochemicals are used by N. Californicus to locate the prey, trace prey density and accessibility.
Keywords: info chemicals, two-spotted spider, Tetranychus urticae, and predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus