Prey preference and reproductive success of the predatory mite Neoseiulus idaeos On the prey species Mononychellus tanajoa and Tetranychus lombardinii

Abstract

Cassava green mite (CGM), Mononychellus tanajoa s.l., originating from South America, has become a serious pest in Africa, where it often occurs in mixed infestations with indigenous spider mites like Tetranychus lombardinii. The neotropical phytoseiid Neoseiulus idaeus is a candidate predator for classical biological control of CGM. Its prey preference and reproductive success on CGM and T. lombardinii were studied in the laboratory. Foraging individually on leaf discs, N. idaeus consumed CGM and T. lombardinii adult females equally in single-species populations but showed a distinct preference for CGM when both species were presented together at the same density. The predators developed and reproduced equally well on CGM and T. lombardinii.