An assemblage of predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) associated with a potential biocontrol agent (Cecidophyes rouhollahi; Eriophyidae) for weed Galium spurium (Rubiaceae)

Abstract

The weed Galium aparine L., commonly known as cleavers or goose grass, is an exotic plant in New Zealand (Webb et al. 1988; Reid 1998). Craemer et al. (1999) described a new gall mite species, Cecidophyes rouhollahi Craemer (Acari: Eriophyidae), from this weed in France and suggested that this new species might have potential as a biological control agent against G. spurium L. in Canada and western US where the weed was becoming more problematic (Malik & Vanden Born 1988; Whitson 1991). This mite species was later shown to result in severe stunting and complete prevention of seed production in a related weed G. spurium in greenhouse tests and was approved for field release against this weed in Canada (Sobhian et al. 2004). This mite species was recently reported on G. aparine from Auckland, New Zealand (Martin 2017). Mites prefer feeding on the young terminal leaves and can induce the leaf edges to roll inwards and curl (Fig. 1A, B, E). Martin (2017) noted: “No natural enemies of this species of mite have been recorded, but predatory mites may feed on these mites”. We report here on an assemblage of predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) associated with C. rouhollahi on G. aparine in Auckland.