Ecological benefits of Anystis baccarum in an orchard ecosystem and the need for its conservation

Integrated pest management programs are very important in the control of invertebrate pests within apple orchards. Many current integrated pest management strategies concentrate on specialist predatory species. However, generalist beneficial insects, such as several mite species, must also be fully researched for their potential in controlling pests. Previous research has shown that the generalist predatory mite Anystis baccarum [Linnaeus] can offer much potential in controlling invertebrate pests within Northern Irish apple orchards. However, apple growers have been mis-identifying this beneficial species as the economic pest European fruit tree red spider mite, Panonychus ulmi [Koch]. As a result, unnecessary pesticide applications have been applied against what has now been confirmed as a beneficial species. To aid apple growers in the identification of A. baccarum, identification cards were produced. Positive uptake of the cards by many apple growers has resulted in correct identification of A. baccarum from P. u lm i, and therefore, a reduction in chemical pesticide applications. The benefits of A. baccarum within orchard ecosystems is discussed

Environmental monitoring of economically important invertebrate pests in Bramley apple orchards in Northern Ireland

Apple orchards are host to many species of both pest and beneficial invertebrates. Many of the pest species can cause severe economic damage if populations are left unchecked. Within Northern Irish Bramley apple orchards only four species are deemed to be of economic importance; Panonychus ulmi, Aculus schlechtendali, Rhopalosiphum insertum and Archips podana. Little information exists on the current population status and economic damage potential of these four pests. The population levels of these species and their potential to cause economic damage on the Bramley fruit is therefore discussed in regard to current economic spray thresholds

Environmental impact of an orchard winer wash and early season pesticide applications on both a beneficial and a pest mite species in bramley apple orchards

Apple orchards often receive winter-washes to help aid invertebrate pest control. These can have detrimental environmental consequences. The application of winter-wash increased Aculus schlechtendali numbers while a decrease in numbers of the beneficial mite Anystis baccarum was observed. The application of early season pesticide treatments produced mixed results in relation to A. schlechtendali. Pirimiphos-methyl had no apparent detrimental effect on A. baccarum, whereas pirimicarb and phosalone reduced A. baccarum populations. The potential to incorporate an orchard winter-wash and early-season pesticide applications within integrated pest management strategies is discussed

Techniques for environmental monitoring of predatory fauna on branches of Bramley apple trees in Northern Ireland

Ranges of trapping devices were investigated for their ability to sample predatory mites and insects on branches of apple trees. Straw traps caught significantly more predatory mites whereas corrugated cardboard traps proved better for larger predators such as the common earwig, Forficula auricularia. The most abundant predatory species sampled on the trees was the 'whirli-gig' mite Anystis baccarum. The efficiency of the various trapping devices and the potential of incorporating A. baccarum within environmentally based management strategies for invertebrate pest control within the Bramley apple orchards are discussed

Environmental monitoring of archips podana [fruit tree tortrix moth] in Bramley apple orchards in Northern Ireland

Apple is host to many species of tortricid moths. Archips podana is an economically important species in the Bramley's Seedling apple orchards of Northern Ireland. Chemical pesticides are routinely applied to control moth populations. Pheromone trapping has shown that the moths are not concentrated in any particular habitat. Moth damage to fruit is generally negligible. The need for careful judgement to be applied before deciding on the application of chemical pesticides to control moth populations is discussed