Abstract
Effectiveness of augmentation of Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) against the three pest species: Thrips palmi Karny, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) occurs on the eggplant cultivated in open fields were evaluated from August to September in 2014 and from September to October in 2015. Released numbers and times of A. swirskii were 50 individuals/m2 and tree times in 2014 and 25 individuals/m2 and tree times in 2015, respectively. Maximum numbers of A. swirskii per 30 leaves on eggplant were ca. 50 individuals in 2014 and ca. 30 individuals in 2015, respectively. Populations of T. palmi and B. tabaci decreased or remained at low levels on eggplant after release of A. swirskii in both years. Numbers of above two pest species on eggplant where A. swirskii was released were significantly lower than non-treatment eggplants in both years (Repeated measures of ANOVA, p < 0.0001). Proportions of plants damaged by P. latus where A. swirskii were released were significantly lower than non-treatment eggplants in both years. We considered that augmentation of A. swirskii would be available against main three pests; T. palmi, B. tabaci and P. latus on eggplant cultivated in open fields.
