PHYTOSEIIDS (ACARI, PHYTOSEIIDAE) DOMINATE THE MITE FAUNA ON GRAPEVINES IN CANBERRA DISTRICT VINEYARDS

Mite populations on grapevines in five Canberra district vineyards dur ing 1991-1993 were characterised by large numbers of phytoseiids and s mall, non-damaging populations of the pests grapeleaf blister mite, Co lomerus vitis (Pagenstecher), and grapeleaf rust mite, Calepitrimerus vitis (Nalepa). Six phytoseiid species (Typhlodromus doreenae Schicha, T. dossei Schicha, T. australicus (Womersley), Amblyseius waltersi Sc hicha, A. elinae Schicha and Phytoseius fotheringhamiae Denmark and Sc hicha) were recorded. T. doreenae was the dominant species and occurre d in all vineyards. P. fotheringhamiae was abundant in a single vineya rd and T. dossei occurred in small numbers in two vineyards. The other species were represented by single individuals. Implications of these results for viticultural mite management based on biological control are discussed.