Life history and reproductive parameters of the generalist predatory mite Euseius (Amblyseius) finlandicus (Oudemans) were studied in the laboratory at 25 +/- 1 degrees C, with a 16L:8D photoperiod and 60 +/- 15% RH, to investigate its response to different food sources: an eriophyid mite Aceria sp., tulip pollen Tulipa gesnerana L., and two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. Total developmental time of the immature stages was the shortest on eriophyid mites, followed by pollen, and then spider mites. Fecundity was highest on pollen (43.69 eggs; 1.63 eggs/female/day), then eriophyid mites (39.73 eggs; 1.37 eggs/female/day) and lowest on spider mites (18.16 eggs; 0.80 eggs/female/day). Intrinsic rate of increase (Rm), net reproductive rate (Ro) and finite rate of increase (lambda) followed the same pattern [pollen (0.168, 27.96 and 1.183, respectively), eriophyid mites (0.153, 20.81 and 1.167), spider mites (0.110, 9.44 and 1.119)]. Mean generation time (days) was the shortest on pollen (19.90), followed by eriophyid mites (20.02), and then spider mites (20.59). Average spider mite larvae consumed by E. finlandicus during immature stages were 9.18 for males and 11.85 for females. Adult E. finlandicus females consumed an average of 166.38 spider mite protonymphs during adult stage compared to an average of 66.55 by males. The number of prey protonymphs consumed per day by females was highest in the oviposition period, lower in the pre-oviposition period and the lowest in the post-oviposition period. The eriophyid mite as a prey recorded the shortest developmental time, while pollen as food recorded the highest oviposition rate in E. finlandicus. The potential of this predator as a biocontrol agent against T. urticae is discussed.

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The effect of the two predatory mite species Phytosiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Typhlodromips swirskii (AthiasHenriot), fungal entomopathogen, Beuvaria bassiana and the biochemical compound Abamectin (Vapcomic) were investigated against the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch on kidney bean (Paulista) and sugar snap pea (Snow wind) in a greenhouse at Behaira governorate during 2013 season. The average number of spider mite population was significantly different among the different treatments on Paulista (F 4,99= 39.025; P < 0.001; Table 1), and on Snow wind (F 4,99= 32.17; P < 0.001). The mean reduction percentage of spider mite populations on both plant varieties by P. persimilis was significantly the highest (95.2%), followed by treating with Vapcomic (90.0 %) and the fungus B. bassiana (84.8%); T. swirskii caused the least (71.9%). Thus, using P. persimilis to control the two spotted spider mite on the two plant varieties (Paulista and Snow wind) is recommended.

Eignung der Eier von Corcyra cephalonica (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) für die Entwicklung, Vermehrung und das Überleben von vierRaubmilbenarten der Familie Phytoseiidae (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Zusammenfassung Der Einfluss von Eiern der Reismotte (Corcyra cephalonica Stainton) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) auf die Entwicklung, das Überleben und die Vermehrung von vier Raubmilbenarten wurde unter Laborbedingungen untersucht. Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) entwickelte und vermehrte sich auf Eiern von C. cephalonica erfolgreich, während sich Protonymphen von Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski und Amitai) und Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias-Henriot) nicht über das Protonymphen-Stadium hinaus entwickelten. Ausgewachsene Weibchen aller getesteten PhytoseiidaeArten konnten fressen und die Eiablage auf Eiern von C. cephalonica durchführen. Die Ernährung mit Insekteneiern ergab die kürzeste Eiablageperiode geringste Langlebigkeit ausgewachsener Exemplare von C. negevi und A. largoensis, während T. swirskii in dieser Hinsicht die längsten Perioden aufwies. Das Rauben von Motteneiern ergab bei N. barkeri und T. swirskii eine höhere Fress-und Fruchtbarkeitsrate im Vergleich zu A. largoensis und C. negevi, welche den niedrigsten Wert aufwiesen. Die Geschlechtsverteilung wurde stark von den Weibchen dominiert, wenn die getesteten Phytoseiidae-Milben Insekteneier erhielten. Diese unterschiedliche Reaktion auf die künstlichen Wirtseier müssen bei der Produktion gesunder Kulturen von A. largoensis berücksichtigt werden.Abstract The influence of rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs on the development, survival and reproduction of four predatory phytoseiid mites was studied under laboratory conditions. Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) successfully developed and reproduced on C. cephalonica eggs, while protonymphs of Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes), Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski and Amitai) and Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias-Henriot) failed to develop beyond the protonymphal stage.Adult females of all tested phytoseiid mite species were able to feed and sustain oviposition on eggs of C. cephalonica. A diet of insect eggs provided the shortest oviposition period and adult longevity of C. negevi and A. largoensis, while T. swirskii showed the longest periods in this respect. Preying on moth eggs gave the highest consumption and fecundity rate for N. barkeri and T. swirskii in comparison to A. largoensis and C. negevi, which showed the lowest value. The sex ratio of the progeny was strongly female biased when insect eggs were provided for tested phytoseiid mites. These differences in response to the factitious host insect eggs should be considered for the production of healthy cultures of A. largoensis.

Tomato crop in the Mediterranean Basin has been recently affected by the exotic pest Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), which is difficult to control due to its high reproduction rate and potential to develop resistance to insecticides. In this paper, the suitability and effectiveness of three predatory phytoseiid mites Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski and Amitai), Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) and Amblyseius largoensis (Muma), an indigenous species, were evaluated on larvae of T. absoluta under laboratory conditions. First instar larvae of T. absoluta proved to be possible food source for tested phytoseiid mites under laboratory conditions. Females of C. negevi, A. largoensis and N. barkeri were able to feed and sustain oviposition on unfed, first instar larvae of T. absoluta. A diet of insect larvae provided the shortest oviposition period and adult longevity of C. negevi and A. largoensis, while N. barkeri showed the longest corresponding periods. The total and daily number of insect larvae consumed was significantly higher in N. barkeri than in A. largoensis and C. negevi. Likewise, N. barkeri laid significantly higher number of eggs (23.6 eggs / female) than that deposited by C. negevi and A. largoensis (2.5 and 3.9 eggs / female). The sex ratio of the progeny was female biased and ranged: (females / total=0.62-0.68%) when insect larvae were provided for females of C. negevi, A. largoensis and N. barkeri.