New observations on <i>Amblyseius perlongisetus</i> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) inhabiting chilli leaves in New Zealand

Abstract

Amblyseius perlongisetus Berlese (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was recorded for the first time from leaves of chilli (Capsicum frutescens) in Auckland, New Zealand. Adults and immature stages of this predatory mite were sometimes found near the vein axils on the undersurface of the leaves but were more often found nesting in small feeding pits created by young green looper Chrysodeixis eriosoma (Doubleday) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) near the mid-vein. This is the first report on the use of insect feeding pits as nests by phytoseiids. Remarks on the morphological variation among adult female mites (i.e. relative length of setae on the dorsal shield) are also given.

Mango powdery mildewOidium mangiferaean alternative food for the predatory mitesTyphlodromus mangiferusandTyphlodromips swirskii(Phytoseiidae) in absence or presence increasing prey density ofOligonichus mangiferus(Tetranychidae) in Egypt

“…Many generalist mite predators of phytoseiid group are thought to consume a broad range of mite and insect species, including various tetranychids, eriophyids, tarsonemids, acarids, thrips, young green looper and white flies (Muma 1971;McMurtry and Rodriquez 1987;Hansen 1988;Hoy and Glenister 1991;Gough 1992;McMurtry and Croft 1997;Zhang 2001). They are also thought capable of reproducing on non-prey items including pollen plant exudates, artificial diets and honeydew (Dosse 1961;Ramarkers 1990;Abou-Awad et al 1992;James 1993;Tanigoshi et al 1993;Momen 2004).…”