TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - How to improve the establishment of iolinid predatory mites for the control of pests and diseases on tomato?
VL  - 66
IS  - Suppl
SP  - 158
EP  - 158
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Robbe, Maertens
AU  - Jonas, Merckx
AU  - Heidi, Debie
AU  - Elana, De Roo
AU  - Sjouke, Van Gorp
AU  - Marcus V.A., Duarte
AU  - Juliette, Pijnakker
AU  - Rob, Moerkens
AU  - Felix, Wäckers
AU  - Dominiek, Vangansbeke
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/qh5o-fwmk
DO  - 10.24349/qh5o-fwmk
DA  - 2026-07-20
ET  - 2026-07-20
KW  - Biocontrol
KW  - Preventative establishment
KW  - Iolinidae
KW  - Aculops lycopersici
KW  - Mildew
AB  - Biological control of pest mites with phytoseiid predatory mites in tomato is difficult due to the presence of sticky glandular trichomes in which they get entrapped. About a decade ago, the late Dr. Raf De Vis triggered a number of research groups to work on smaller iolinid predatory mites, which are capable of manoeuvring easily below the tomato trichomes. Subsequent research showed that several species of iolinid mites are capable of controlling tomato russet mite (Aculops lycopersici). Interestingly, the iolinids were observed to also control tomato mildew. However, under commercial growing conditions, mites are often not able to keep up with the intense pruning schedule and the fast growth of the tomato plant itself. A range of trials were set-up to investigate how the establishment and permanent colonization of iolinid predatory mites on tomato plant can be improved. Trials using Pronematus ubiquitus and Homeopronematus anconai were conducted in semi-field and commercial growing conditions. The results from the semi-field trials indicated that a range of strategies can be employed to improve the establishment of the predators on tomato plants. Interestingly, H. anconai showed to migrate upwards faster than P. ubiquitus on tomato plants that were pruned intensely. Preliminary grower trials using H. anconai are presented.
ER -