Predatory mite species of the family Phytoseiidae, Acari, Mesostigmata, used in biological control of agricultural pests in Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: The control of insects and mites' pests becomes a recurring theme in crops, which are fought using chemical products and often without the expected effectiveness. Methodology: A bibliographic search of the publications on predatory mites in Colombia was carried out in indexed journals from 2010 to 2020 in order to assess the topics addressed. In addition, the species of predatory mites reported in Colombia since the 1970s were investigated. Results: In the last decade, eight publications were obtained in Colombia on predatory mites that record the presence or use of Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus anonymus, Neoseiulus californicus, Iphiseiodes zuluagai, Amblyseius herbicolus, Amblyseius sp., Gaeolaelaps aculeifer and Euseius concordis in various crops of economic importance such as citrus, guava, mango, yucca, cotton, sugar cane, ornamentals and others, with a wide geographic dispersion. Conclusions: Scientific publications on predatory mites are not abundant in the last decade in Colombia, however, it is corroborated that there are reported a wide diversity of Ambliseus species and other genera of the Phytoseidae family and that the use in the productive practice of these do not correspond to the research results..

Keywords

• agroecosystems, arthropods, agroecology, predatory activity, controlling systems, sustainable, sustainable, productivity