Life table and predation capacity of predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and some plant pollens

The supply of pollens as an alternative food can enhance the performance of phytoseiid predatory mites. The effects of three different pollens (sunflower, tamarix, and common mallow) as supplementary diets on the life table and predation rate of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in the absence or presence of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) were determined. The chemical compositions of pollens were determined too. The results showed that the fecundity of N. californicus on T. urticae in the presence of pollen was significantly higher than that on pollen alone. The intrinsic rate of increase on T. urticae in the presence of tamarix and common mallow pollens (۰.۱۳۱ and ۰.۱۳۲ day-۱) was significantly higher than those on the other diets. The net reproductive rate varied from ۰.۵۸۵ (on sunflower pollen) to ۸.۴۶۵ offspring (on tamarix pollen + T. urticae). The cohort reared on common mallow pollen + T. urticae diet had the highest intrinsic rate of increase as well as the finite rate of increase, followed by tamarix pollen + T. urticae. The predation rate of T. urticae by N. californicus fed on tamarix pollen was the highest value compared to other pollens. The protein content was higher in tamarix pollen, while the content of lipid, phenol, and flavonoid was greater in sunflower pollen. Due to its higher protein content, tamarix pollen had favorable effects on the survival, development, fecundity, and predation rate of N. californicus. Therefore, N. californicus reared on tamarix pollen can be useful for controlling T. urticae.

کلیدواژه ها:

Biological control ، Fecundity ، Intrinsic rate of increase ، Predation rate ، Survival rate