Functional response and predation interference of Neoseiulus californicus)Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on the western flower thrips larvae on several commercial strawberry cultivars

Neoseiulus californicus is an effective predatory mite to control of the spider mites. The functional response of three-day old mated female feeding on densities of Frankliniella occidentalis larvae (1,2,4,8 and 16) was studied on seven commercial strawberry cultivars (‘Sequoia’, ‘Chandler’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Marak’, ‘Aliso’, ‘Yalova’ and ‘Gaviota’) and predation interference of this predator in (1,2,4,8 and 16) densities of the predatory mites on constant density of prey (40 larvae of thrips) were studied. These tests were conducted under laboratory condition (27±1˚C, 16L: 8D photoperiod and 70-80% RH). The predatory mite exhibited type Π on seven strawberry cultivars tested with Rogers equation. The attack coefficient and handling time were estimated on different strawberry cultivars (on ‘Sequioa (0.01, 4.77 hours), on ‘Chandler (0.03, 4.37 hours), ‘Camarosa’ (0.03, 5.49 hours), ‘Marak’ (0.03, 5.16 hours), ‘Aliso’ (0.02, 4.91 hours), ‘Yalova’ (0.05, 4.54 hours) and ‘Gaviota’ (0.02, 4.65 hours). The predatory mite ability in predation on F. occidentalis larvae on ‘Chandler’ and ‘Yalova’ were more than the other tested cultivars. It may be due to less trichome density on these cultivars or secondary chemical compounds. The relationship of logarithm of predator density and the logarithm of per capita searching efficiency was significant. The rate of predation increased as the host density increased and the predator decreased. These results emphasize the importance of the host plant characteristic for optimizing the predatory mite use in biological control of pests.