Evaluation Gaeolaelaps aculeifer in control of gladiolus bulb mite (Rhizoglyphus echinopus)

Bulb mite damage (Rhizoglyphus echinopus) on gladiola corms has economic importance to the producers. An evaluation carried out on effects of Gaeolaelaps aculeifer </em>in control of bulb mites in laboratory condition. An infestation of gladiolus corm done by transferring 4 adult female bulb mite on each corm and corm cultivated on a earthen pot with 50%m 25% and 25% composition of soil, manure and sands which disinfected with a valid fungicide. Seven releasing types used for predatory mite in comparison controlled treatment. Effects of predatory mite evaluated after 35 days from releasing time by measuring length of stem at monthly interval in three consequent months, number of new germinated corms also counted after three months. Number of active bulb mite stages counted through Berlese faunal. Completely randomized block design with 5 replications were used. Analysis variance on collected data done by SAS software. Significant differences (p>0.05) observed among treatments. Maximum new germinated corms (3.4 corms), least% bulb mites infestation (10.80%) and number bulb mite (0.2 mite) recorded for four times released predatory mite. The least length of stem developed 42.7 cm for one time releasing predatory mite at 3 days after. Results four steps releasing predatory mite provided maximum efficiency and can recommended for biological control of bulb mites in the greenhouses.