Feeding Biology of Euseius pariyarensis (Santhosh, 2018) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Red Spider Mite Tetranychus neocaledonicus (Andre, 1933) Infesting Bauhinia acuminate L.
P. P. Santhosh *
Department of Zoology, Sreekrishna College, Guruvayur, Thrissur, Kerala-680102, India.
M. P. Rahul
P.G. & Research Department of Zoology, Malabar Christian College, Calicut, Kerala-673001, India.
V. Thulasi
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kerala Agricultural University, Pattambi, India.
Mary Anithalatha Sadanandan
P.G. & Research Department of Zoology, Malabar Christian College, Calicut, Kerala-673001, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Euseius pariyarensis (Santhosh, 2018) is a predatory mite, found associated with the pest mite, Tetranychus neocaledonicus (Andre, 1933) which infest the leaves of Bauhinia acuminate L. To study the feeding potential, tests were carried out in the laboratory under 30+2oC, 65±10%RH conditions. Promising results were obtained and the following observations were made regarding its feeding activities. Maximum consumption of eggs of prey mite was exhibited by adult females. The mean consumption rate of predators followed the order that female > male > deutonymph > protonymph >larva, respectively.
Keywords: Predatory mite, Phytoseiidae, feeding potential