Feeding, Development, and Reproduction of Amblyseius largoensis1 on Various Food Substances

Abstract

Laboratory experiments were conducted on the reproduction and development of the predaceous mite Amblyseius largoensis Muma when offered various food substances. The young instars developed well and adults reproduced readily on Brevipalpus phoenicis (Geijskes), Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein), Tetranychus cinnabainus (Boisduval), on eggs of 2 moth species, Prays citri Milliere and Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller), on nymphs and pupae of Retithrips syriacus Mayet, on a nematode, Panagrellus sp., and on the pollen of Carpobrotus acinaciformis (Mesembryanthemum) . Although A. largoensis developed on the honeydew of Planococcus citri (Risso) and Toxoptera aurantii (Fonscolombe), but poorly on Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead), reproduction was low on both P. citri honeydew and P. oleivora , and completely absent on T. aurantii honeydew. Similarly the predators succeeded in developing on scale crawlers of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) and Chrysomphalus aonidum (L.) and on pollen of citrus and Zea mays (corn); again, except for Z. mays , reproduction was low. In experiments on the effect of light on the rate of reproduction during mass rearing of the mites on Z. mays and C. acinaciformis , it was found that natural light produced the highest reproduction rate on both species. The possible significance of these responses is discussed in relation to the potential of A. largoensis to control citrus pests in the orchard.