Abstract
Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) ornatus Denmark & Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is one of the predatory mites associated with the coconut mite Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae), a serious coconut pest in Africa, Asia and America. Vegetable oils such as coconut oil have been shown to efficiently control A. guerreronis, however their side effects on predatory mites remain poorly investigated. Here, we evaluated the lethal and non-lethal effects of coconut oil on repellence and functional response of the predatory mite T. ornatus, a natural enemy of A. guerreronis. Based on LC50 estimates, coconut oil was over 6-fold less toxic to T. ornatusthan to its prey, A. guerreronis. Additional repellence and predation bioassays show that the coconut oil neither repels nor interferes in the functional response of T. ornatus preying upon A. guerreronis. According to our selectivity approach, the coconut oil is compatible with the predatory mite T. ornatus.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
