Influence of surrounding trees on the populations of phytoseiid mites (Acari Phytoseiidae) in a vineyard of the Lazio region (Central Italy)

Abstract

Research was carried out in a hilly area of the Lazio region, close to
the border of the Abruzzo and Lazio National Park, in the province of Frosinone
(Central Italy). Two highly profitable crops were investigated namely, vine and
olive, together with surrounding wild and cultivated trees. The aim of this research
was to study the phytoseiid mites community associated to different plant
species in the experimental area and to evaluate the fluctuation of the population
density of these mites, in order to investigate the influence of border plants on
the presence and spread of these predators in the cultivations. The crops were
mainly olive and vine whereas the surrounding areas were made up of woodland,
with a strong dominance of Quercus spp. Agronomic techniques were also
taken into consideration, particularly the pest and disease control strategies and
the pesticides used. The samplings of phytoseiids were carried out from the beginning
of 2001 till the end of 2002, every 14 days, on 9 different sampling points
made up of the following plant species: oak, maple, elm, vine, olive, cherry-tree,
apple, hazelnut and fig. Fifteen different species of phytoseiids were collected,
in the following order of importance: Kampimodromus aberrans, Euseius finlandicus,
Kampimodromus langei, Typhlodromus aceri, Amblydromella crypta, Amblydromella
athenas, Typhlodromus baccettii, Typhlodromus intercalaris, Bawus
talbii, Typhloseiulus simplex, Typhlodromus pyri, Seiulus eleonorae, Seiulus soleiger,
Seiulus amaliae and Typhlodromus recki. Among all these species K. aberrans
proved to be present and widespread on all the investigated plants. Moreover
it has been confirmed that Quercus pubescens Willd. is an important reserve of
phytoseiids and its presence strongly influences the widespread of these arthropods
on the nearby plants.