POPULATION OF PHYTOPHAGOUS MITES AND OCCURRENCE OF PREDATORS IN APPLE ORCHARDS

The occurrence of phytophagous mites and predators in apple orchards in the sandy area of Subotica was observed by beatings and examination of 50 leaves with binocular, every 14-20 days. In higher numbers were found: Panonychus ulmi Koch., Tetranychus urticae Koch, Aculus schlechtendali Nalepa. As natural factors in regulating population level of phytophagous mites Stethorus punctillum Wese, Orius minutus L. and Chrysopa carnea Stephens were registered. The predators settle in apple orchard in case of heavy infestation by mites. They are able to decrease density of the phytophagous mites population but they can not prevent bronzing of leaves during dry and hot conditions in the summer. However, in spring, when shoots are growing fast, bronzing of 4 to 6 leaves could be tolerated, because later S. punctillum decreased density of phytophagous mites's populations. After applying selective acaricides or less selective insectoacaricides, the number of predators was in positive correlation with prey presence.