The efficiency of Amblyseius swirskii in control of Tetranychus urticae and Trialeurodes vaporariorum is affected by various factors.

Abstract

Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot is a well-known predator that is used for controlling the population of two-spotted spider mites (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, and greenhouse whitefly (GHWF), Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood, in strawberry greenhouses. To find the effective factors that influence the efficiency of this predator, the predation rates of A. swirskii fed on (Ι) TSSM in the presence and absence of the pollen, webbing, and GHWF, as well as on (II) GHWF in the presence and absence of the pollen, and GHWF-produced honeydew were determined. Furthermore, developmental time, fecundity, and population growth rate of this predator under the same conditions were measured. Our results showed that A. swirskii was able to reduce TSSM population, while the spider mite webbing had an adverse effect on the performance of the predator. Therefore, the presence of the predator population at the time of the infestation is crucial to the success of biological control. It can be concluded that the alternative food sources such as pollen and GHWF-produced honeydew play an important role in maintaining the predator population in the absence of pests. Moreover, the results indicate that using the pollen and another pest along with the target pest can promote the predator density. A. swirskii consumed lower numbers of TSSM when concurrently offered with GHWF and/or maize pollen, and lower numbers of GHWF in the presence of pollen. On the other hand, in the presence of alternative food or alternative prey, the fecundity of the predator was much higher.