Abstract
BackgroundThe successful rearing of predators or parasitoids is one of the most important elements in biological control programs. The dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis (L.), can be used as an alternative prey for the phytoseiid predatory mite, Amblyseius swirs0kii (Athias-Henriot).Main bodyThis study aimed to evaluate the suitability of 3 different diets for C. lactis when rearing A. swirskii: brown sugar, baker’s yeast, and the mixture of brown sugar and baker’s yeast along with 3 initial predator:prey ratios (1:7, 1:12, and 1:20). After 30 days, both the baker’s yeast and the mixture of brown sugar + baker’s yeast diets resulted in the highest predator densities (40.5 times increase at an initial predator:prey ratio of 1:20, with the baker’s yeast diet), whereas the mixture diet produced the highest density of prey. The brown sugar resulted in the lowest number of predator and prey mites. This may be due to lower feeding and predation rates of the prey and the predator mites on the brown sugar medium since its relative moisture content and adhesiveness inhibits mite movement. The final predator:prey ratio was also highest on the baker’s yeast diet.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the population growth of A. swirskii was the highest when C. lactis was reared on baker’s yeast.
Highlights
The successful rearing of predators or parasitoids is one of the most important elements in biological control programs
This study demonstrated that the population growth of A. swirskii was the highest when C. lactis was reared on baker’s yeast
The diets supplied for C. lactis significantly affected the final population densities of A. swirskii [likelihood ratio (LR) χ22 = 130.51, P < 0.0001] and C. lactis (LR χ22 = 65.37, P < 0.0001) (Fig. 2)
Summary
The successful rearing of predators or parasitoids is one of the most important elements in biological control programs. Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is currently applied as a highly efficient biological control agent of thrips, whiteflies, and spider mites on ornamental plants and vegetable crops (Calvo et al 2011). These pests quickly reproduce and are able to establish large populations often resistant to chemical pesticides, making them difficult to control (Herron and James 2007; Naveen et al 2017). Because many generalist predators and parasitoids can successfully develop on other species, San et al Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control (2020) 30:130 rearing cost and complexity might be significantly reduced by substituting natural prey items with alternative prey or factitious hosts (Riddick 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
