Fight the Mite!
Conference Year
January 2019
Abstract
Poster presentation proposal
What is our research about?
In this experiment, we have focused on the impact of the environmental resources on the population size of Rhyzoglyphus robini in order to find the most favorable condition among our sample environments. We hypothesized that the samples containing antibiotics, or antibiotics and Fungicide would constitute a more favorable environment for the Rhyzoglyphus robini population, due to less interspecies competition for the resources in those environments.
In fact, after thorough evaluation of the data gathered from two separate trial, each consisting of 18 samples, we managed to prove our hypothesis and observed the favorability of PDA+ Antibiotic environments for the maximal growth of Rhyzoglyphus robini populations.
What is Rhyzoglyphus robini?
Rhyzoglyphus robini is a pest species from the family Acaridae. This species is a detrimental pest to crops such as Saffron (Rahimi,2008), grains, onions, garlic and leek (Gerson 1991). It is also used as a versatile experimental animal for biological, ecological, physiological and toxicological studies because of its quick reproductive cycle, its ability to feed on various natural sources and its relatively large size (0.5-1mm) and distinct whitish milk-like color (Gerson,1991). The life cycle of Rhyzoglyphus robini is optimized at 25 degrees and consists of a 2-week egg laying period, resulting in laying 400-700 eggs in 6 weeks.
Why should I care?
Through the results of this project, we now know the optimal environmental conditions for this species. This information can be used to ease the rearing of this highly-useful laboratory species and too find new potential control mechanism for this invasive species in susceptible green houses and farming fields.
What’s next?
The next step of this project is on the impact of this pest species on the growth of Saffron corms and experiments on potential biological control solutions ( such as the introduction of other non-invasive species to the system ) to this problem.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Bruce L.Parker
Secondary Mentor Name
Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Bruce L.Parker (PI of the lab),Margaret Skinner (Collaborating mentor), Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani ( post-doctoral research mentor)
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Biology
Second Program/Major
Mathematics
Primary Research Category
Biological Sciences
Fight the Mite!
Poster presentation proposal
What is our research about?
In this experiment, we have focused on the impact of the environmental resources on the population size of Rhyzoglyphus robini in order to find the most favorable condition among our sample environments. We hypothesized that the samples containing antibiotics, or antibiotics and Fungicide would constitute a more favorable environment for the Rhyzoglyphus robini population, due to less interspecies competition for the resources in those environments.
In fact, after thorough evaluation of the data gathered from two separate trial, each consisting of 18 samples, we managed to prove our hypothesis and observed the favorability of PDA+ Antibiotic environments for the maximal growth of Rhyzoglyphus robini populations.
What is Rhyzoglyphus robini?
Rhyzoglyphus robini is a pest species from the family Acaridae. This species is a detrimental pest to crops such as Saffron (Rahimi,2008), grains, onions, garlic and leek (Gerson 1991). It is also used as a versatile experimental animal for biological, ecological, physiological and toxicological studies because of its quick reproductive cycle, its ability to feed on various natural sources and its relatively large size (0.5-1mm) and distinct whitish milk-like color (Gerson,1991). The life cycle of Rhyzoglyphus robini is optimized at 25 degrees and consists of a 2-week egg laying period, resulting in laying 400-700 eggs in 6 weeks.
Why should I care?
Through the results of this project, we now know the optimal environmental conditions for this species. This information can be used to ease the rearing of this highly-useful laboratory species and too find new potential control mechanism for this invasive species in susceptible green houses and farming fields.
What’s next?
The next step of this project is on the impact of this pest species on the growth of Saffron corms and experiments on potential biological control solutions ( such as the introduction of other non-invasive species to the system ) to this problem.