SEARCH FOR NATURAL ENEMIES OF RAOIELLA INDICA HIRST IN REUNION ISLAND (INDIAN OCEAN)

Since it first appeared in the New World in 2004, the palm red mite, Raoiella indica Hirst, has spread to many countries, from Florida (USA) to the northern part of Brazil. In this region, this mite has been recorded on several different hosts, but it has been most harmful to coconut. For different reasons, the chemical control of this pest is not feasible, and biological control has been considered an important measure to be pursued. The objective of this paper is to provide details about an effort to determine potential natural enemies of R. indica from La Reunion, for their possible introduction in northern Brazil. The only natural enemy consistently found in association with R. indica was identified as the phytoseiid Amblyseius largoensis Muma. A colony of this species was established with specimens collected from different parts of the island. This colony was introduced to Brazil, where subsequent assessments should indicate whether or not it should be released in the field.