Mites for the control of pests in protected cultivation

The production of crops under protected conditions is increasing worldwide. Owing to growing consumer demands for healthy and green produce, and intensifying pesticide resistance, non-chemical solutions - foremost among which is biological control - are being sought. The authors review recent advances related to the application of predatory mites for the control of greenhouse pests, and discuss interactions among acarine biocontrol agents (ABAs) and the effects of crop plants and new technologies on ABAs, such as artificial lighting, elevated carbon dioxide levels and genetically modified organisms. This is followed by a discussion of the problems associated with the search for and use of new ABAs, including management, the benefits of modelling and avenues of future research. (c) 2007 Society of Chemical Industry.