Prospects for usage of predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (MCGREGOR, 1954) (order Mesostigmata: subfamily, Amblyseiinae, family Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

The predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (MCGREGOR, 1954) is used as a specialized acariphage on vegetable, flower and berry crops. In protected ground, N. californicus is one of the effective carnivores of spider mites (Tetranychidae), the intensity of attacks depends on the temperature. The predator prefers to consume immature individuals of T. uirticae, often ignoring adult female mites. Simultaneously, predaceous organism does not express preferences between eggs and T. urticae nymphs. However, as the density of the spider mite population increases, the predatory mite shifts its diet from the eggs of the victim to larvae and nymphs. Adult females N. californicus exhibit a type 2 functional response to both eggs and T. urticae nymphs. Pyrethroid and avermectin drugs are highly toxic to predator populations. At the same time, there is low acute toxicity to many insecticides (Actara, Envidor, etc.) is exibited.