Evaluation of Neoseiulus barkeri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) for Control of Eotetranychus kankitus (Acari: Tetranychidae).
Eotetranychus kankitus Ehara (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an important pest in Chinese citrus orchards. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the potential of Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) for the biological control of E. kankitus. A two-sex life table of E. kankitus and N. barkeri was constructed to estimate development and fecundity. The functional response and stage-specific predation rate were analyzed to evaluate predation capacity. In addition, a timing model was used to project populations of E. kankitus with release of N. barkeri. Results showed that N. barkeri was able to develop and reproduce when fed on E. kankitus. The functional responses of N. barkeri on different stages of E. kankitus all fit the Holling II disc equation. When mixed stages of E. kankitus coexisted, N. barkeri mainly consumed larvae and nymphs. Based on the life tables and stage-specific predation rates, population projection revealed the stage structure and growth rate of N. barkeri on E. kankitus. Although E. kankitus had the higher growth rate, it was maintained at a low population level for several weeks after release of N. barkeri. The results highlighted the potential for utilizing N. barkeri as a biological control agent of E. kankitus.
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China (yayinglee@sina.com; lmx19960817@163.com; zhouhaiwei516@sina.com; tcxb8023@163.com; zghsailing@163.com; liuhuai@swu.edu.cn; wangjinjun@swu.edu.cn).
Ya-Ying
YY
Li
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China (yayinglee@sina.com; lmx19960817@163.com; zhouhaiwei516@sina.com; tcxb8023@163.com; zghsailing@163.com; liuhuai@swu.edu.cn; wangjinjun@swu.edu.cn).
Ming-Xiu
MX
Liu
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China (yayinglee@sina.com; lmx19960817@163.com; zhouhaiwei516@sina.com; tcxb8023@163.com; zghsailing@163.com; liuhuai@swu.edu.cn; wangjinjun@swu.edu.cn).
Hai-Wei
HW
Zhou
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China (yayinglee@sina.com; lmx19960817@163.com; zhouhaiwei516@sina.com; tcxb8023@163.com; zghsailing@163.com; liuhuai@swu.edu.cn; wangjinjun@swu.edu.cn).
Chuan-Bei
CB
Tian
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China (yayinglee@sina.com; lmx19960817@163.com; zhouhaiwei516@sina.com; tcxb8023@163.com; zghsailing@163.com; liuhuai@swu.edu.cn; wangjinjun@swu.edu.cn).
Guo-Hao
GH
Zhang
Collaborative Innovation Center of Special Plant Industry, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing 402160, China (liung906@163.com).
Yi-Qing
YQ
Liu
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China ( yayinglee@sina.com ; lmx19960817@163.com ; zhouhaiwei516@sina.com ; tcxb8023@163.com ; zghsailing@163.com ; liuhuai@swu.edu.cn ; wangjinjun@swu.edu.cn ).|Corresponding author, e-mail: liuhuai@swu.edu.cn.
Huai
H
Liu
Key Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control Engineering, College of Plant Protection, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China (yayinglee@sina.com; lmx19960817@163.com; zhouhaiwei516@sina.com; tcxb8023@163.com; zghsailing@163.com; liuhuai@swu.edu.cn; wangjinjun@swu.edu.cn).
Jin-Jun
JJ
Wang
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D009758:Nymph / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D040102:Tetranychidae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology
functional response; life table; population projection; predation rate; predatory mite