<p class="Body"><strong>The predatory mite <em>Neoseiulus bicaudus </em>(Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae), a promising biocontrol agent of whitefly <em>Bemisia tabaci </em>(Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)</strong></p><p> </p>

Abstract

Neoseiulus bicaudus (Wainstein) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a native predatory mite species in Xinjiang, China, and a biological control agent for some small pests, such as Tetranychus turkestani (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Thrips tabaci (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in greenhouse. However, little is known whether N. bicaudus could be an effective natural enemy of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). A series of laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of N. bicaudus on B. tabaci. The present data showed that each stage of N. bicaudus demonstrated type II functional response when fed on B. tabaci. The adult females showed the highest consumption rate and attack rate, and the shortest handling times were obtained when they preyed on eggs and 1st instar nymphs. The 1st instar of B. tabaci was preferred for the feeding of N. bicaudus adult females than eggs, followed by 2nd instar nymphs of B. tabaci. Under greenhouse conditions, this predator effectively suppressed the population growth of B. tabaci throughout the experimental period. Accordingly, N. bicaudus could be an efficient predator for B. tabaci.

Predatory mites (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) intercepted from samples imported to Taiwan, with description of a new species

“…It is a native predator of spider mites and thrips in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and is more adapted than nonnative species to hot and dry climates (Zhang et al 2017). It was recently showed to be promising predator of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Han et al 2020). (Kreiter et al 2002).…”

The effects of short‐term heat stress on functional response ofNeoseiulus barkeritoTetranychus urticae

“…While arthropods exhibit both type II and III responses, type II is observed most often (e.g. Cédola et al., 2001; Patel & Zhang, 2017; Han et al., 2020; Fathipour et al., 2021). According to the previous research, most phytoseiid predacious mites, such as Metaseiulus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) (Metz et al., 1988), Neoseiulus cucumeris (Madadi et al., 2007), Euseius nicholsi (Acari: Phytoseiidae) (Yao et al., 2014), Galendromus occidentalis (Acari: Phytoseiidae), Neoseiulus californicus (Xiao & Fadamiro, 2010) and others all shared this type of functional response (Sabelis, 1986).…”

“…The functional response focuses on the relationship between an individual's consumption rate and food density (Solomon, 1949; Rahman et al., 2012; Kumar et al., 1999; Patel & Zhang, 2017; Fathipour et al., 2017,2021; Zhu et al., 2019; Filgueiras et al., 2020; Han et al., 2020). Moreover, it can show search efficiencies and predation rates of predators and the evaluation of this behaviour of predators is a critical first step in determining their ability to regulate the prey (Ahn et al., 2010; Xiao & Fadamiro, 2010).…”

Suitability of pollen as an alternative food source for different developmental stages of Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to facilitate predation on whitefly eggs

“…Amblyseius tsugawai Ehara, and Amblyseius orientalis (Ehara) could also prey on whitefly eggs (Yang et al, 2019; Zhang et al, 2015. Recently, the predatory mite Neoseiulus bicaudus (Wainstein) was shown to be a promising biocontrol agent of the whitefly B. tabaci (Han et al 2020).…”