Xiang, D.; Wang, Z.; Xu, L.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Yang, K. Measurement of Fitness and Predatory Ability of Four Predatory Mite Species in Tibetan Plateau under Laboratory Conditions. Insects2024, 15, 119.
Xiang, D.; Wang, Z.; Xu, L.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Yang, K. Measurement of Fitness and Predatory Ability of Four Predatory Mite Species in Tibetan Plateau under Laboratory Conditions. Insects 2024, 15, 119.
Xiang, D.; Wang, Z.; Xu, L.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Yang, K. Measurement of Fitness and Predatory Ability of Four Predatory Mite Species in Tibetan Plateau under Laboratory Conditions. Insects2024, 15, 119.
Xiang, D.; Wang, Z.; Xu, L.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Yang, K. Measurement of Fitness and Predatory Ability of Four Predatory Mite Species in Tibetan Plateau under Laboratory Conditions. Insects 2024, 15, 119.
Abstract
Predatory mites are a type of biological control agent used in many countries against various vegetable pests, particularly spider mites. Despite the significant presence of predatory mites in the Tibetan plateau, there is limited research on their fitness and prey capacity in the area. Herein, four predatory mite species, including one species Neoseiulus californicus and three species from genus Amblyseius (Amblyseius swirskii, Amblyseius barkeri, and Amblyseius cucumeris) were investigated. Specifically, their fitness and prey capacity on two-spotted mites (Tetranychus urticae) at highland conditions were evaluated. Compared to the other three predatory species, A. swirskii had the highest fecundity (Mean ± SEM=11.60 ± 0.34) and the highest pre-adult survival rate (Mean ± SEM = 83.33 ± 3.33%). Since their juvenile Survival Rate (SR) was extremely low (Mean ± SEM =13.33% ± 5.77%), most A. barkeri nymphs died before emergence. Compared to the other three predatory mites, A. swirskii had the highest predation capacity on T. urticae adult mites at 15 d post-release (Mean ± SEM =14.28 ± 2.24). Collectively, these findings imply notable advantages in employing A. swirskii for controlling two-spotted mites in the Tibetan Plateau. Furthermore, based on the results, A. swirskii was the most effective, and A. barkeri was the least effective in controlling two-spotted mites in the Tibetan Plateau. These findings could inform the development of a feasible biological control method based on suitable predatory mite species to manage T. urticae in the Tibetan Plateau, and would be helpful in delaying the rise or emergence of chemical pesticide resistance in two-spotted mites.
Biology and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science and Agronomy
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