Cohort Development and Population Growth of <i>Amblydromalus hum</i> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Citrus Red Mite in Comparison to Maize Pollen

Abstract

Phytoseiidae mites suppress pest mites and small arthropods below injury levels. A study on cohort life stage of Amblydromalus hum Pritchard & Baker was carried out to determine development and growth of the Phytosiidae mite. General observation showed a lower turnover of the larval stage to the Protonymph stage from the 12 th day onward, probably this could be attributed to some cannibalism taking place where adults could prey on the larvae and the nymphal stages. Significantly, the larvae were most abundant within 21 days when A. hum was fed E. africanus showing a cohort life stage composition of 39% overall population among other motile life stages. Similarly, same larvae appeared significantly most abundant when feed on maize pollen at 61% over other cohort life stage within a period of 4 days. Female adults starved death by 3 rd day and were found not to lay eggs within the period. It was observed that female adult A. hum did not live beyond the 3 rd day when 100% mortalities occurred where maize. The study results showed that A. hum preference for E, africanus prey over maize pollen limited the predator's survival in the absence of the preferred diet and hence need to explore alternative substrates in citrus orchards to boost information on how to conserve the beneficial predator in citrus production.