Control of the Two-Spotted Spider Mite on Strawberry by Combination of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) Release and Propylene Glycol Monolaurate Spraying and the Role of the Flower as an Alternative Habitat during Low Two-Spotted Spider Mite Density

Abstract

To establish a control method for spider mites using a phytoseiid mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), we examined the combination of N. californicus release and propylene glycol monolaurate spraying. Although we could not control two-spotted spider mites on strawberry by only N. californicus release, they could be controlled by propylene glycol monolaurate spraying after N. californicus release. Our study also suggested that strawberry flowers maintained the N. californicus population when the population density of the spider mite was very low, and the resultant high natural enemy-spider mite ratio may contribute to maintaining a low spider mite population.