Effectiveness of the predatory mite Hypoaspis miles (Acari : Mesostigmata : Hypoaspidae) in conjunction with pesticides for control of the mushroom fly Lycoriella solani (Diptera : Sciaridae)

Hypoaspis miles (Berlese) (Acari: Hypoaspidae) in conjunction with one of t wo insect growth regulators - Apex 5E (Methoprene) or Dimilin 25wp, contain ing 25% diflubenzuron - were tested on a mushroom farm for control of Lycor iella solani (Winnertz) (Diptera: Sciaridae). In treatment where the predat ory mite was introduced alone no reduction in mycelium growth was recorded compared with control. When the predator was introduced in conjunction with Apex 5E or Dimilin at either of two rates, the growth of the mushroom fung us was reduced compared with a control. The sciarid populations were signif icantly reduced in the treatments where two insect growth regulators were a pplied alone or in conjunction with mites, as compared to the control. Neit her of the two insect growth regulators, at either of the two rates tested, created any adverse effect for H. miles. Crop yield was significantly high er where the predator had been introduced with Apex 5E at the recommended r ate, whereas there were no significant differences in yield production with Dimilin at both rates in conjunction with mites, compared to the control. Exp Appl Acarol 23: 65-77 (C) 1999 Kluwer Academic Publishers.