Potential of the predatory mite Phytoseius finitimus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to feed and reproduce on greenhouse pests

Abstract

Phytoseiid mites of the genus Phytoseius are natural enemies of tetranychid and eriophyid herbivorous mites mostly found on hairy plants where they feed on prey, as well as on pollen. Nevertheless, the nutritional ecology and the role of these predators in biological pest control are only rarely addressed. In the present study, we evaluated the potential of Phytoseius finitimus to feed and reproduce on three major greenhouse pests, the two-spotted spider mite, the greenhouse whitefly and the western flower thrips. Additionally, we estimated the effect of cattail pollen when provided to the predator alone or in mixed diets with prey. Contrary to thrips larvae, both spider mite larvae and whitefly crawlers sustained the development of P. finitimus. In addition, females consumed more spider mite eggs and larvae, as well as whitefly crawlers than thrips larvae, but laid eggs when feeding on all prey. When provided alone, cattail pollen sustained the development and reproduction of the predator. The addition of pollen in mixed diets with prey reduced prey consumption, though it increased the predator's egg production. We discuss the implications of our findings for biological pest control.

Pollen Provisioning Enhances the Performance of Amblydromalus limonicus on an Unsuitable Prey

“…Mixed diets consisting of two or more prey species or a mixture of pollen with prey have been shown to increase the numerical response of phytoseiid predators on prey of both high- (Nomikou et al, 2002(Nomikou et al, , 2010van Rijn et al, 2002) and low-quality (Messelink et al, 2010). Therefore, in theory, high quality pollen combined with low quality prey would positively affect biological control even in the event of decreased prey consumption per capita on the unsuitable prey (Pappas et al, 2013). On the other hand, variations in the quality of plant food (pollen) may differentially affect the numerical response of the predator on a specific prey (Samaras, 2018) and the same holds for the quality of prey.…”

Predation on heterospecific larvae by adult females of Kampimodromus aberrans, Amblyseius andersoni, Typhlodromus pyri and Phytoseius finitimus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

“…They can exploit food sources such as honeydew, plant-based substances and fungi (e.g., Gnanvossoua et al 2005;Nomikou et al 2003;van Rijn and Tanigoshi 1999;Pozzebon and Duso 2008;Pozzebon et al 2009;Pappas et al 2013). The importance of pollen as an alternative food has been extensively proved (e.g., Overmeer 1985;McMurtry and Rodriguez 1987;McMurtry et al 1991;.…”

Integration of Plant Defense Traits with Biological Control of Arthropod Pests: Challenges and Opportunities

“…For example, the western flower thrips Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) feeds on plant material and arthropod prey, leading to its role as both a serious pest (Grazia-Tommasini, 1995; Kirk and Terry, 2003) and a biological control agent (Trichilo and Leigh, 1986; Wilson et al, 1996; Agrawal and Karban, 1997; Milne and Walter, 1997). Furthermore, Agrawal et al (1999) revealed that the presence of prey [eggs of the Pacific spider mite Tetranychus pacificus McGregor (Thysanoptera: Tetranychidae)] reduced feeding by F. occidentalis on cotton by nearly 50%.…”