Evaluation of a maize/Banks grass mite (Oligonychus pratensis) banker plant system in tomato

Abstract: A banker plant system of maize inoculated with Banks grass mites was field tested at 4 tomato greenhouse sites for its ability to support establishment and reproduction of the spider mite predatory midge, Feltiella acarisuga. Although the system was not successful, the information gained during the project is pertinent to further development of banker plants to support spider mite control.