POLLEN, MOLD MITES AND FUNGI - IMPROVEMENTS TO MASS REARING OF TYPHLODROMUS-DOREENAE AND AMBLYSEIUS-VICTORIENSIS

Populations of Typhlodromus doreenae Schicha on 18 x 14 cm arenas usin g pollen of Typha orientalis Presl. as food, increased from an estimat ed 50-150 to 1,000-1,600 motiles per arena in the presence of mould mi tes, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and the fungus Rhizopus stolon ifer (Ehrenberg ex. Fr.) Lind. T putrescentiae in association with R. stolonifer. developed pigmentation and were preyed on by T. doreenae w hich also became pigmented. Unpigmented T. putrescentiae were not atta cked by T. doreenae which remained pale coloured. T. doreenae died whe n supplied with the fungus alone. Bean plants dusted with pollen of T. orientalis from a talcum powder dispenser supported a large populatio n (7-12 stages/leaf) of Amblyseius victoriensis (Womersley). These imp rovements to mass rearing of T. doreenae and A. victoriensis are discu ssed with respect to their potential for commercialisation.