Evaluate the Feeding Preference of Some Predator Mites Towards Red Spider Mites Untreated and Treated With Beauveria bassiana

Abstract

Results of the present study are based on the ability of the predator mites Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and Neoseiulus californicus that used as biological control agents to recognize if the prey Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) is treated with entomopathogenic fungi, and measure their preference toward untreated and treated T. urticae with Beauveria bassiana. In the early stages of the fungus infection predators were able to consume T. urticae treated with the fungus. While after 48 and 72h. P. persimilis and N. californicus were able to determine the treated prey with the entomopathogenic fungi B. bassiana, and prefer to prey on the untreated mites. This avoidance behaviour of the predator mites permits to use them as complementary biological control agents with entomopathogenic fungi in Integrate Pest Management (IPM) program. .