ARS | Publication request: CDC-1 Enclose Continuous Rearing System for Phytoseiid Mites

Submitted to: Software and User Manual Public Release
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: July 16, 2008
Publication Date: August 29, 2008
Citation: Morales Ramos, J.A., Rojas, M.G. 2008. CDC-1 Enclose Continuous Rearing System for Phytoseiid Mites. Software and User Manual Public Release.

Technical Abstract: This document describes a prototype for an enclosed and continuous rearing system for Phytoseiid mites. The document includes operation procedures and materials. Bean plants are grown in planters through a grid, which is the bottom of a tray. One-week old bean plants are infested with spider mites. Fully infested plants are cut between the tray and the planter using a plant trimmer. Treys with infested mites are introduced in the top window of the CDC cage. Phytoseiid mites are introduced to the cage. Three days later a tray is removed from the lower window using the mechanism described and a new tray with infested bean plants is introduced to the top window. Phytoseiid mites are collected daily from the collection container located at the top of the cage. This procedure can continue indefinitely without the need to introduce new phytoseiid mites.