Effect of Pollen from Different Plant Species on Development of Typhlodromus pyri (Sheuten) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Typhlodromus pyri (Sheuten) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a phytoseiid mite with a high potential in controlling the false Chilean mite (Brevipalpus chilensis Baker; Acari: Tenuipalpidae). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different plant species pollen as a complementary food in the development of T. pyri when its prey is in low levels of availability. Mites were individually placed on black plastic boxes with pollen and maintained at a temperature of 26 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH), and a photoperiod of 16:8 h (L:D). Postembryonic development of T. pyri was studied in 11 pollen species, as well as in a mixed diet of Hirschfeldia incana (L.) and B. chilensis. Results show that H. incana was the only pollen in which there was no mortality (P > 0.05) along with the control (Oxalis pes-caprae L.). Mean duration from egg to adult with H. incana was 8.70 ± 1.66 d, protonymph 3.27 ± 0.21 d, and deutonymph 2.90 ± 1.45 d (P > 0.05). The mix feeding of T. pyri did not show any significant differences neither in the mean time from egg to adult, nor in mortality by feeding only with B. chilensis. Survival curves of T. pyri fed only with H. incana pollen, combined with B. chilensis, and only with B. chilensis are higher in the first 14 d of life. The sex ratio was not significantly affected by being fed only with H. incana pollen, B. chilensis, or by a combination of both.

Feeding habits of overwintered predatory mites inhabiting European vineyards

“…Feeding habits of overwintered predatory mites inhabiting European vineyards variability in the effect of pollen types on predatory mites Onhesorge 1994a, 1994b;Boller and Frey 1990;Bouras and Papadoulis 2005;Bermúdez et al 2010). We can conclude that overwintered predatory mites can overcome problems associated with prey scarcity if enough pollen is available on grapevine leaves.…”

Typhlodromus pyri and Euseius finlandicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as potential biocontrol agents against spider mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) inhabiting willows: laboratory studies on predator development and reproduction on four diets

“…Second, it may be of value for rearing predators in laboratory conditions, even if it is not necessarily available to the predator under natural conditions (Overmeer 1985 ). Pollen can be one of the most valuable alternative food for many phytoseiid species (Addison et al 2000 ; Kasap 2005 ; Bermudez et al 2010 ). Its high protein and oil contents make it nutritionally suitable for many arthropods that ordinarily consume prey-food (Lundgren 2009 ).…”

Life history parameters of Phytoseius plumifer (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on corn pollen

“…Some phytoseiid species reach their highest reproductive potential on pollen (Bouras and Papadoulis, 2005), and in other species spider mites alone are not suitable for development unless supplementary foods are added (Zhao and McMurtry, 1990;Broufas and Koveos, 2000). The effect of pollen as food source on the life history of predatory mites such as Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten, Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans), Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) and Euseius finlandicus (Oudemans) has been investigated (Overmeer, 1981;(Croft et al, 1998;Van Rijn and Tanigoshi, 1999;Broufas and Koveos, 2000;Bouras and Papadoulis, 2005;Bermudez et al, 2009). Liguori and Guidi (1990) studied the effect of conditioning Typhlodromus exhilaratus Ragusa with different food types including pollen on its subsequent prey consumption.…”