An Attempt to Extend the Biological Control of Sminthurus Viridis (Collembola) to New Areas in Australia by Introducing a Predatory Mite, Neomolgus Capillatus (Bdellidae).

Abstract

Detailed ecological studies of S. viridis and predatory bdellid mites in Australia suggested that there might exist in Europe additional predators capable of assisting in the biological control of that pest. Surveys in western Europe and Morocco in 1964-65 revealed two species of bdellid mites actively preying upon S. viridis there. One of these, Bdellodes lapidaria, was already abundant in Australia, but restricted in its distribution. The other, Neomolgus capillatus, had a wide distribution in Europe and Morocco indicating that it could probably become established throughout the range of distribution of S. viridis in Australia. N. capillatus collected in Holland in 1965 failed to establish the species in Australia, probably because of the wide divergence in climate between the collection and liberation sites. Further collections in Morocco and southern France in 1969 achieved establishment in two sites in Western Australia, as well as in South Africa where part of the collection was sent. The effect, if any, of this new predator on numbers of S, viridis is now being monitored.