Preference and functional response of Phytoseiulus persimilis and Neoseiulus californicus to females and eggs of Tetranychus merganser and Oligonychus punicae.

Tetranychus merganser and Oligonychus punicae are two pest mites that cause severe damage and economic losses in various crops in Mexico. Currently, the control of each pest primarily depends on the use of agrochemicals. However, these compounds harm the environment and the health of humans and mammals. Therefore, using biological predators to control populations of these mite species is an alternative to minimize the impact of these chemicals. Phytoseiulus persimilis is a specialist phytoseiid mite that feeds exclusively on Tetranychus species. Neoseiulus californicus is a generalist phytoseiid mite that feeds on different species of arthropods and pollen. However, P. persimilis and N. californicus have not been evaluated on T. merganser. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preference, predatory capacity and functional response of a single adult female and a 1:1 combination of both predators on the eggs and adult females of T. merganser and O. punicae. The results revealed that adult females of P. persimilis and N. californicus fed on the eggs and females of both T. merganser and O. punicae. P. persimilis exhibited higher levels of predation on T. merganser eggs and adult females, while N. californicus consumed more O. punicae eggs and adult females. Some differences in handling time (Th) and attack rate (a) were observed between and within phytoseiid species, but the functional response was consistently Type II. The differences in predatory capacity, Th, a, and preference were likely due to the varying lifestyles of the predators, predator size, the size of the prey offered (egg or adult female), and the species of prey provided.