Two-spotted red spider mite (T. urticae)
Two-spotted red spider mite were collected from the rose orchards in Can Tho area and raised on rose plants grown in biological control laboratory and net houses conditions in the Faculty of Plant Protection, College of Agriculture, Can Tho University to multiply numbers. The local potting rose variety was used in this experiment.
Black ladybird beetles (Stethorus sp.)
Black ladybird beetles (
Stethorus sp.), both in larval and adult stages, were collected simultaneously during the two-spotted red spider mite collection process in the field. These predatory beetles were then reared through multiple generations under laboratory conditions to establish and maintain adequate population levels for experimental purposes.
Investigation the predatory ability of black ladybird beetle against different life stage of two-spotted red spider mites on rose plants
The experiment was carried out to investigate the predatory capacity of black ladybird beetle larvae and adults against eggs, larvae and adults of the two-spotted red spider mites. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with one factor, including 4 treatments and 4 repetations: the second instar black ladybird beetle larvae (1), the fourth instar black ladybird beetle larvae (2), male adult black ladybird beetles (3) and female adult black ladybird beetles (4).
Experimental setup
Clean rose leaves were prepared by wrapping water-soaked cotton around the leaf petiole and placing them face down on Petri dishes lined with moistened cotton (Fig 1A). Prey items were then introduced onto the leaf surface as follows.
Red spider mite egg stage
Laboratory-reared female of the two-spotted red spider mites (30 individuals/leaf) were placed on prepared rose leaves to lay eggs. After one day, all mites were removed, red spider mite eggs were counted and 200 eggs per leaf disc were retained. Then, one healthy black ladybird beetle corresponding to each treatment was introduced onto the rose leaf having red spider mite eggs as food. The Petri dish was covered with a mesh lid to prevent black ladybird beetle escape. Fresh 200 eggs of red spider mite were replaced daily until the end of the experiment.
Red spider mite larval stage
Laboratory, reared 100 larvae of the two-spotted red spider mites were selected having uniform age and size, placed per leaf disc and allowed to settle for 24 hours before introducing the black ladybird beetles. One black ladybird beetle per treatment was released onto the rose leaf having red spider mite larvae and covered with a mesh lid. Fresh red spider mite larvae (100) were replaced daily until completion, of the experiment.
Red spider mite adult stage
The procedure was similar to the larval stage experiment. The experiment was conducted with 100 red spider mite adults per leaf disc and were replaced daily.
Observations
The monitoring criteria included counting the number of red spider mite eggs, larvae and adults consumed by the black ladybird beetles at 1 and 2 days after beetle introduction. The mean values were calculated.
Predatory capacity of black ladybird beetle against different two spotted red spider mite
The experiment aimed to examine the predatory capacity of black ladybird beetles against different densities of red spider mites under net house conditions. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with one factor, including 3 treatments and 1 control (Table 1), with 3 repetations.
Experimental setup
Rose plants with uniform leaf development (approximately 80 leaves/pot) were selected. Seven adult two-spotted red spider mites were released per leaf and allowed to settle. The number of released red spider mites and treated leaves corresponded to treatments in Table 1. Plants were enclosed in mesh cages to prevent insect entry/exit (Fig 1B). One day after red spider mite release, populations were counted to ensure survival, then one pair of adult black ladybird beetles (male and female) was introduced to each prepared rose pot. The black ladybird beetles were reared from the Biological Control Laboratory (CTU).
Observations
The monitoring criteria included counting the number of two-spotted red spider mite-infested leaves and remaining spider mites at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after releasing the black ladybird beetles. Red spider mites were counted using a hand lens. The mean values were calculated.
Investigation of optimal density of black ladybird beetles for controlling two-spotted red spider mites
The experiment was carried out to determine the optimal density of black ladybird beetles to be released for effectvie control of two-spotted red spider mites under net house setting. This aims to provide a bisis mass-rearing and releasing black ladybird beetles in the field. The experiment wass designed as a completely randomized design with 1 factor trial with 5 treatments (1 pair of black ladybird beetles, 2 pairs of ladybird beetles, 4 pairs of ladybird beetles, 6 pairs of ladybird beetles, Control: no black ladybird beetles released), with 4 repetations.
Experiment setup
Uniform rose plants in terms of leaf quantity and growth were selected. Red spider mites were placed on the rose leaves in the same manner as in the previous experiment, with a total of 168 mites for each treatment (30% infested leaves). Following this, 1 pair, 2 pairs, 4 pairs and 6 pairs of adult black ladybird beetles were released according to each treatment, into rose pots that had been covered with netting and prepared with red spider mites.
Observations
The monitoring criteria included the number of damaged leaves and the number of surviving red spider mites at 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after releasing the black ladybird beetles. The two-spotted red spider mites were counted using a handheld magnifying glass.
Data collection and analysis
The two-spotted red spider mites control rate was calculated using the Henderson-Tilton formula (
Hsieh et al., 2023). The mortality data and the control rate of spider mite are expressed as the mean of the replications. The percentage data was acrsin-transformed for further statical. All data were processed by MSTATC software in subjecting to one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Significance of differences among means was calculated by Duncan’s test.