Functional and numerical responses of Neoseiulus idaeus and Neoseiulus californicus to eggs of Tetranychus urticae

Abstract

ABSTRACTTetranychus urticae Koch is one of the major species of pest mites in the world. An alternative to the chemical control of this pest is the use of predatory mites. Nevertheless, under arid environments the efficacy of the available predatory mites species is often poor. Thus, this study evaluated the predatory (functional response) and reproductive (numerical response) abilities of Neoseiulus idaeus (naturally occurring species in arid regions) fed on T. urticae eggs and compared them with those obtained for Neoseiulus californicus (the most frequently used species against the T. urticae). Neoseiulus idaeus displayed a type III functional response while Neoseiulus californicus displayed a type II functional response. They did not differ as to attack rate and handling time, and presented similar tendencies for numerical responses.