Functional response of the phytoseiid mite Typhlodromus negevi Swirski and Amitai to the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

The functional response of the predator Typhlodromus negevi Swirski and Amitai fed on nymphal stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch was determined. A logistic regression of the proportion of prey consumed as a function of initial prey density to identify functional response types was conducted. Therefore, non-linear least-squares regression and the random predator equation to estimate attack rates and handling times were followed. Overall, all stages of T. negevi exhibited a type II functional response to T. urticae. Whereas, the attack rate (a) and handling time (Th) of protonymph, deutonymph, and female of T. negevi recorded as 0.0329 and 2.0313, 0.0934 and 1.7918, and 0.1068 and 1.0796 when offered nymphal stages of T. urticae, respectively.