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REVIEW

Strategies for control of the redlegged earth mite in Australia

T. J. Ridsdill-Smith A B F , A. A. Hoffmann C , G. P. Mangano D , J. M. Gower C , C. C. Pavri E and P. A. Umina C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A CSIRO Entomology, Private Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia.

B School of Animal Science, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.

C Centre for Environmental Stress and Adaptation Research, Bio21 Molecular Science Institute, Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.

D Department of Agriculture and Food of Western Australia, Baron-Hay Court, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.

E 20 Duckett Drive, Manning, WA 6152, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: james.ridsdill-smith@csiro.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(12) 1506-1513 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08020
Submitted: 7 January 2008  Accepted: 1 July 2008   Published: 6 November 2008

Abstract

The redlegged earth mite, Halotydeus destructor, continues to be an intractable pest causing damage to most crop and pasture species in southern Australia. H. destructor feed on all stages of plants, but particularly damage seedlings in autumn. Research has aimed to develop new controls based on a better understanding of the biology and ecology of this pest. Chemicals remain the key tool to control H. destructor, despite the recent appearance of resistance to synthetic pyrethroids. A control package, Timerite, has been developed by which a single well-timed spray in spring can prevent H. destructor from developing diapause eggs. Field trials show this strategy provides effective control of H. destructor the following autumn, and protects plant seedlings, although mite populations build up again during winter. Non-chemical control strategies include grazing, the use of tolerant plants such as cereals, resistant legume cultivars and avoiding rotations where favourable host plants are available in the year before growing susceptible crops such as canola. Natural enemies can assist in mite control, and their numbers can be enhanced by methods including increasing landscape features like shelterbelts. Interspecific competition can occur between H. destructor and other pest mites, but the extent to which these interactions influence the structure of pest communities under different management regimes remains to be investigated.


Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the many farmers who allowed us on their properties, discussed their pest problems and assisted in setting up and managing trials. We thank growers for financial support for research through Australian Wool Innovation and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.


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