Aspects of the biology and rate of consumption of Neoseiulus cucumeris y Typhlodromalus aripo (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on the host Thrips palmi Karny (Thysanopatera: Thripidae)

Abstract

Thrips palmi Karny is an important pest of several crops, especially vegetables. The predatory mite tieoseiutus cucumeris has  been successfully used in the control of various thrips species. The predatory mite T. eripo also has shown the considerable capacity to consume cassava thrips. The potential impact of N. cucumeris and  T. eripo on populations of T. palmi was evaluated. The objectives were, to determine the effects of consumption of T. palmi on the biology of N. cucumeris and T. sripo, and to compare to mite prey species Tetranychus urticee and Mononychellus caribbeanae; to quantify the consumption of the predators on T. palmi and evaluate the functional response of N. cucumeris and T. eripo to densities of l. 3, 5, 10, 20 y 40 of first instar larvae of T. pelmi. The studies were carried out under laboratory conditions (25 ± 5ºC. 75 ± 5% of r. h. and 12: 12 L:D). The development period of N. cucumeris when feeding on T. palmi and T. urticee was 8.9 and 8.5 days respectively. For T. eripo it was 15.1 days with T. palmi and 13.5 days with M. caribbeanae. Fecundity for N. cucurneris and T. eripo was 25.2 and 15.6 respectively, being higher on T. palmi than mite prey. The percentage of females in the population and longevity of predatory mites were similar with both prey species offered. N. cucumeris was the predator with the higher fecundity and longevity. An individual of N. cucumeris consumed 65.3 first instar larvae ofT. pelrni and 18.7-second instar larvae during its life cycle. T. aripo consumed 72.9 first instar larvae of T. palmi and 21.6-second instar larvae during its life cycle. N. cucumeris and T. eripo females displayed a type  II functional response, consuming 16 and 18 first instar T. palmi in 24 hours. responding positively to higher densities of thrips.