RELEASE OF PHYTOSEIULUS MACROPILIS (BANKS) TO CONTROL TETRANYCHUS URTICAE KOCH ON STRAWBERRY IN ISMAILIA GOVERNORATE – EGYPT (ACARI: PHYTOSEIIDAE & TETRANYCHIDAE)

The predatory mite, Phytosaiulus macropilis was released in a strawberry field at Serabium district (Ismailia Governorate) to control the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. A single release of the predator at a rate of about 5 predator individuals/bit was applied at different early dates in the season (Nov. 29, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. 1999) compared with one late in the season (Feb. 14, 2000). Each of the early release ones. proved to be effective sufficiently than the late release to control the two-spotted spider mites. Percentages of the pest reduction ranged between 60-90 % after 3-7 weeks from the predator release. Ac­cordingly, the pest population greatly declined during the strawberry flowering and fruiting period which might positively affect the strawberry yield. Highest pest reductions existed when the predator individuals were released without mixing with "vermiculite" or "sawdust". The predator individuals moved from the release plots to the con­trol, intermediate non-release plots, adjacent strawberries and cucumber fields and associated weeds, specially when the two-spotted spider mite was available on these plantations. This also, might indicate the possibili­ty of this predator to be established under the Egyptian conditions on the associated weeds and adjacent plantations.