Abstract
Biological control of plant parasitic nematode Tylenchulus semipenetrans was studied under greenhouse conditions. In the present study, the effect of the soil-dwelling predatory mite, Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Acari: Laelapidae), on the population development of citrus nematode was examined. Compared to the nematode-alone, all mite treatments significantly restricted reproduction of citrus nematode. Nematode population ranged from 126 to 161 J2/100 cm3 soil for the mite-treated plants compared to 398.25 J2/100 cm3 soil for the nematode untreated plant. As a result, G. aculeifer significantly reduced citrus nematode T. semipenetrans populations under greenhouse conditions.
Key words: Acari, Biological control, Laelapidae, Predatory mite.