Zacharda, M., Pultar, O., Muska, J., 1988.
Washing technique for monitoring mites in apple orchards. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 5: 181-183.
Abstract
A shake-and-wash technique for monitoring the predatory phytoseiids Typhlodromus pyri, Amblyseius finlandicus [Euseius finlandicus] and their prey, Panonychus ulmi, Tetranychus urticae and Aculus schlechtendali, in commercial apple orchards is described. The removal and recovery of mites from leaves, shoots and spurs is based on agitating the plant material by hand in alcohol, and subsequently removing the mites using a separating funnel. The mites are quickly killed and easily washed off the plant material, and are thus well preserved for further study. The technique is more efficient than directly counting the mites on plant material under a dissection microscope and can easily be employed both in the laboratory and in the field.
