Stage-specific feeding potential and preference of predatory mite Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on spider mite Tetranychus truncatus Ehara

Tetranychus truncatus Ehara is an important pest of a number of important agricultural and horticultural crops and is mainly prevalent in the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The pest is very often associated with predatory phytoseiid mite, Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans), on almost all crops. Its ability to feed and preferred prey stage were determined under laboratory conditions of 23°C to 28°C and 75-80% RH. The larva was the non-feeding stage of the predator but protonymphs and deutonymphs showed comparable preferences for prey mite eggs and larvae, adult predators preferred more prey mite eggs. The predatory mite protonymph ingested 2.30 eggs, 2.70 larvae, 2.00 nymphs of prey mite and did not consume the adult stage. Deutonymph of the predator, consumed 6.60 eggs, 6.80 larvae, 4.70 nymphs and did not feed on the adult stage of the predatory mite. Adult female predator unlike its immature stages consumed 121.20 eggs, 144.30larvae, 94.70 nymphs and 36.20 adults of T. truncatus in the entire life span.