Natural enemies of Steneotarsonemus spinki (Acari: Tarsonemidae) in Campeche, Tabasco and Veracruz, Mexico, and evaluation of selected species for its biocontrol

Resumen

Surveys were carried out in rice fields in the main areas where this crop is produced along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to detect the Steneotarsonemus spinki mite and its natural enemies, mainly predatory mites, and pathogenic fungi. In addition, the predatory capacity of one of the identified mites, Gaeolaelaps aculeifer, as well as the pathogenicity of the fungi Hirsutella thompsonii, Isaria fumosorosea, and Metarhizium anisopliae, against S. spinki, were evaluated in observation arenas.  The presence of S. spinki was confirmed all along the Gulf of Mexico coast; the close species Steneotarsonemus furcatus was also identified infesting rice. The predatory mites Lasioseius mcgregori, L. subterraneus, Gaeolaelaps aculeifer, Proctolaelaps curtipilis, and Neoseiulus paspalivorus were identified. The G. aculeifer mite showed a limited predatory capacity, with daily consumption between four and 11 specimens; from the evaluated fungi, H. thompsonii showed the highest infectivity and potential to be used as biocontrol agent of S. spinki, with 46% infection of this mite.