Biological control against spider mites in strawberry greenhouses in Turkey

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is one of the most popular soft fruits and is produced and consumed worldwide. The current world production on 395,844 ha is around 9,223,815 t and while in Turkey production is 400,167 t on 15,392 ha. In the last decade, production amounts and areas were increased by 150 and 30%, respectively, in Turkey, and greenhouse production was 44.6% (178,707 t) within total production. Main greenhouse production areas were localized in three provinces of two regions, namely Antalya and Mersin provinces of the Mediterranean region and Aydin province of the Aegean region. There is a remarkable begin in general soilless production areas and biological control in these areas. In Turkey, biological control applications in strawberry greenhouses do not exceed 20 da in total. Spider mites (Tetranychus urticae and Tetranychus cinnbarinus) are the most important strawberry pests in Turkey. Biological control of spider mites in strawberry greenhouses is conducted especially with two biological agents. One of these beneficial species Phytoseiulus persimilis (Athias Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), is an obligate predator, feed on eggs and nymphs, but also consume adults. The other phytoseiid species Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) usually feeds on all of the biological stages of the spider mites, but in the absence of prey, feeds with alternate food sources such as pollen. Although there are limited studies on mass rearing, recently, these mites are imported from abroad and then used in greenhouses. With no precise and reliable data available, P. persimilis is applied about 60-65% in these greenhouses, commercially. It is thought that biological control will increase over time in strawberry fields as well as in greenhouse vegetable fields in Turkey.