<p><strong>Life table parameters and predation rate of <em>Neoseiulus californicus</em> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on <em>Panonychus citri</em> and <em>Eutetranychus orientalis</em> (Acari: Tetranychidae)</strong></p>

Abstract

This study aimed 1) to investigate the effect of two citrus mites, Panonychus citri (McGregor) and Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein) as food on the biological parameters of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), and 2) to evaluate the effect of three factors (temperature with two levels (T), diet type with four levels (P) and density of diet with five levels (D)) on predation and reproduction rate of N. californicus alone, as well as the interactions between them, using factorial design with general linear model. From the results, feeding the predatory mite, N. californicus on mobile stages of P. citri caused a significant reduction in the pre-adult and adult longevity periods of females (4.96 and 24.22 days), respectively. Significant increase in the total fecundity (34 eggs/female) over an oviposition period of 14 days compared to feeding on E. orientalis was observed. Also, the values of the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the finite rate of increase (λ) parameters were higher, and at the same time, the generation time (T) and doubling time (DT) were shorter when the predator fed on P. citri mobile stages than E. orientalis. Using a factorial design with general linear model, the predation rate of N. californicus and the daily number of eggs deposited by female were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by the three factors: temperature (T), diet type (P), and density of diet (D) alone, and with interaction between them. The high fecundity, short generation time, and moderate rm of population of N. californicus in addition to being better adapted to high temperatures indicate significant potential as an effective biological control agent for the two citrus mites, P. citri and E. orientalis attacking citrus orchards. Results are necessarily being considered in pest management decisions.

Keywords

• Biocontrol
• Citrus mites
• Life table parameters
• Neoseiulus californicus
• Predation efficiency