Suitable areas of two introduced predatory mites and their interactions with one native predatory mite in China

Abstract

Predatory mites were the second largest group of natural enemies, where some species have been commercialized and used worldwide for pest biological control. Two important predatory mite species Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus cucumeris have been introduced to China for the control of mite and small insect pests in greenhouses and open fields. However, little was known about their suitable distribution range in China and their interactions with the native and commercialized predatory mites, making their application and commercialization difficult.