Possibilities of rearing spider mite predator amblyseious californicus on Pollen
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Date
1998-11-07
Authors
Wickrematillake, W. S.
Ahangama, D.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Amblyseious californicus is a very effective predatory mite, used as a biological agent to control the spider mites on foliage plants. Presently Amblyseious californicus is imported to be used on foliage plants grown for export market. Though this predatory mite is efficient in suppressing the spider mite populations, during rainy seasons when spider mite populations are drastically reduced, predatory mite populations too are reduced due to lack of food (prey insects). Thus availability of an alternative food source for these predators is of importance for their continuous maintenance.
Egg laying capacity, duration of developmental stages and adult longevity of Amblyseious californicus were compared by feeding them with pollen of Crysalidocarpus, Balsam and compositae flowers. The natural host,spider mite was used as the control.
There was no significant difference in egg laying capacity of the predatory mite fed on pollen of Crysalidocarpus, Balsam and compositae. However, the number of eggs laid by the predator fed on its natural host, spider mite was significantly higher than those fed on different pollen varieties.
The adult longevity of the predator fed on natural host and pollen showed no significant difference. A. califomicus took shorter time to complete the development when fed on pollen alternative with mites than feed on pollen alone. Developmental time was significantly shorter when fed with mites.
These results show that, pollen can be used as an alternate food for this predatory insect during absence of its natural host.
Description
Keywords
Spider mites , Predator , Agriculture and animal sciences , Biological control
Citation
Proceedings & Abstracts of the Annual Research Sessions November 07, 1998,University of Peradeniya,Peradeniya, Sri Lanka,pp.19