Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor, 1954) preying in different life stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

Abstract

The predaceous mite Neoseiulus californicus is one of the major biological control agents of tetranychids in greenhouses of several countries. The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is one of the main pests affecting rose (Rosa spp.) cultures in Brazil. Chemical methods are used for its control, causing a significant environmental impact. Thus, this work aimed to study the predatory potential of N. californicus as an agent of biological control of T. urticae on roses. For the predatory capacity studies, 40 T. urticae mites /arenas of Jack bean leaves (Canavalia ensiformis) were offered to one specimen of each life stage of N. californicus. The adult females were the most efficient in preying upon immature stages, followed by nymphs. For the functional and numerical responses, adult females of N. californicus were confined to arenas made of Jack-bean leaves, and offered immature stages of T. urticae at the following densities: 0

Predatory Potential of <i>Phytoseiulus macropilis</i> (Banks) Preying on <i>Tetranychus urticae</i> Koch (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

“…Immature stages-larvae and nymphs-of T. urticae were used as food for P. macropilis because, in general, these are the stages of the pest mite most preyed by phytoseiids [19] [20] [21]. Arenas with the same amount of T. urticae and without the predatory mite were maintained as a control group in order to observe the natural mortality.…”

“…), for instance, and since trichomes are not found on rose leaves, the predatory mite is benefited once there is no physical barrier that impedes its searching capacity [20]. A study on the predation of T. urticae in rosebushes by N. californicus concluded that all predatory mite stages consumed a larger amount of the pest immature stage, and the adult females were the most efficient, followed by adult males [21].…”

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“…El estudio se llevó a cabo en una cámara bioclimática del departamento de Parasitología de la "Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro", Saltillo, (Gotoh et al, 2006;Marafeli et al, 2011;Singh, 2016). N. californicus is not only widely distributed, but it is also reared and released in several countries of the world, (Canlas et al, 2006;McMurtry et al, 2013;Barbosa and de Moraes, 2015).…”

“…control biológico utilizados para proteger diferentes cultivos de invernadero y de campo abierto (Gotoh et al, 2006;Marafeli et al, 2011;Singh, 2016). N. californicus no solo se distribuye ampliamente, sino que también se cría y libera en varios países del mundo (Canlas et al, 2006;McMurtry et al, 2013; Barbosa y de Moraes, 2015).…”

PLANT TEXTURE AND PREY DENSITY OF THE TWO SPOTTED SPIDER MITE Tetranychus urticae KOCH AFFECTING THE FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE OF THE PREDATORY MITE Neoseiulus californicus (McGREGOR) (ACARI: PHYTOSEIDAE)

“…The predaceous mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is one of the major biological control agents of tetranychids in greenhouses of several countries (Marafeli et al, 2011). This species is a widespread Type II phytoseiid mite (Luh and Croft 2001).…”