Abstract
In this study, we assessed the influence of prey quality and prey biomass during a standardized 3-week test on adult survival and reproductive output of the predatory mite Hypoaspis aculeifer when fed one of six different diets: springtails ( Folsomia candida and Folsomia fimetaria), a storage mite ( Caloglyphus cf. michaeli), an oligochaete ( Enchytraeus crypticus), a nematode ( Turbatrix silusiae), and a 1:1:1 mix of F. candida: F. fimetaria: E. crypticus. Our results revealed that a single prey species may be nutritionally sufficient for a 3-week period, as H. aculeifer performed equally well, or better, on a diet based on a 1:1:1 mix of F. candida: F. fimetaria: E. crypticus. However, when fed C. cf. michaeli, H. aculeifer had a poor reproductive output (<200 juveniles) and a reduced survival (60–70%). Thus, investigators should validate their choice of prey prior to testing H. aculeifer performance during toxicant exposure.
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