ARS | Publication request: Influence of diet conditions on predation response of a predatory mite to a polyphagous insect pest

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 11, 2013
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Chilli thrips, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), an invasive polyphagous species, is an economically important pest. A modified standard petri dish assay method was employed to examine the functional response and predation capacity of predatory mites (Amblyseius swirskii Anthias-Henriot) when reared on different diets. This study provided useful information on whether predatory mites had the same or similar predation rates on chilli thrips, irrespective of the pre-exposure diets (ornamental pepper banker plant, mixed pollen(peach and cattail), or sugar mites (prey-based). Logistic regression analysis suggested Type II (convex) functional responses of A.swirskii for all three diets. Based on the estimates of the handling time and the attack rates, A. swirskii reared from the three different diets had similar predation capacities (400-450 nymphs over 15 days). Based on two experiments, female A.swirskii from the three different diets had similar maximum daily predation rates on chilli thrips with an average of 35-43 nymphs / day. Findings from this study could help to develop better artificial diets for biological control agents for employment against multiple pests in vegetable and greenhouse production.