Influence of various preys in soybean and the biological performance of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Mites and insects cause damage to soybean crops (Glycine max (L.): Fabaceae). Mononychellus planki McGregor, Tetranychus ludeni Zacher (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Caliothrips phaseoli Hood (Insecta: Thripidae) have been mentioned as pests of soybean crops in Brazil, while Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is considered a generalist predatory mite. This work aimed to determine the biological parameters of N. californicus feeding on T. ludeni, M. planki and C. phaseoli on transgenic soybean leaves. Thirty N. californicus eggs were individually placed in arenas with T. ludeni, M. planki and C. phaseoli. Egg-to-adult duration (in days) was longest when fed T. ludeni (5.52±0.06) and shortest when fed C. phaseoli (4.89±0.06). Mean fertility was approximately 32 eggs/female and did not differ significantly when N. californicus fed on T. ludeni or M. planki. During the adult stage, N. californicus did not lay eggs when feeding on C. phaseoli and survived for only a few days. The net reproductive rate (Ro) of N. californicus was larger when fed T. ludeni (20.30±0.68) than M. planki (14.66±0.29). Both M. planki and T. ludeni were suitable prey for N. californicus, while C. phaseoli was not.