The Potential of Predatory Mites, Neoseiulus cucumeris (Ouds.) For Biological Control Corresponding to Brevipalpus phoenicis (Acari: Tenuipalpidae) and Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Document Type : Original Article

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Plant Protection Research Institute; A. R. C.; Egypt

Abstract

The life history and consumption rate of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Ouds.) feeding on two phytophagous mites Panonychus citri and Brevipalpus phoenicis was conducted in the laboratory at constant temperatures of 25 °C and relative humidity of 70 ± 5 %. At this temperature studied, the development time and prey average consumption of the predatory mite N. cucumeris were affected by prey species. The life cycle of the adult female predatory mite, N. cucumeris was 11.91 ± 0.46 and 13.13 ± 0.26 when fed on P. citri and B. phoenicis, respectively. While, the life cycle of the adult male of the predatory mite, N. cucumeris recorded 11.83 ± 0.78 and 12.87 ± 0.55 days to develop from egg to adult when fed on the same phytophagous mites, respectively. The female of N. cucumeris recorded the highest fecundity when fed on P. citri, which was 27.73 ± 0.18 eggs unlike, B. phoenicis which was 25.75 ± 1.02 days. On the other hand, the average daily consumption of N. cucumeris when feeding on P. citri showed a higher value ranging from 1.6 to 2 moving stages unlike B. phoenicis, which ranged from 1.1 to 1.4 moving stages. The current study indicated that N. cucumeris can play a good role in the control of P. citri and B. phoenicis and can reduce its population densities as a generalist species. 

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