Does Bdellodes lapidaria (Acari: Bdellidae) have a role in biological control of the springtail pest, Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae) in south-eastern Australia?

Abstract

Throughout southern Australia, the lucerne flea, Sminthurus viridis (Collembola: Sminthuridae), is an important pest of a variety of winter grain crops and pastures. The predatory mite, Bdellodes lapidaria (Acari: Bdellidae), co-occurs with S. viridis and is reported to be a biological control agent of this pest. Using laboratory bioassays and field experiments, we assessed the susceptibility of B. lapidaria to several pesticides and investigated its impact in controlling S. viridis. In the laboratory, B. lapidaria was found to be susceptible to the synthetic pyrethroids, α-cypermethrin and bifenthrin, but relatively tolerant to the avermectin, abamectin, and organophosphorous chemicals, ome..