Acarological Society of Iran Persian Journal of Acarology 2251-8169 14 2 2025 12 01 Life table analysis and predation efficiency of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on diverse preys 237 251 237948 10.22073/pja.v14i2.86284 EN Hosnea A. Afifi Cotton and Field Crops Mite Department, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt Zeinab M. Mostafa Cotton and Field Crops Mite Department, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt Rabab A.M. Hammd Cotton and Field Crops Mite Department, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt Ola M. Roshdy Fruit Trees Mites Department, Plant Protection Research Institute (Mansoura), Agricultural Research Centre, 12611, Dokii, Giza, Egypt Journal Article This study evaluated the biological traits and life table parameters of the predatory mite <em>Neoseiulus californicus</em> (McGregor) when fed on four prey species: the clover mite (<em>Bryobia praetiosa</em> Koch), the citrus brown mite (<em>Eutetranychus orientalis</em> Klein), the two-spotted spider mite (<em>Tetranychus urticae</em> Koch), and the acarid mite <em>Tyrophagus putrescentiae</em> (Schrank). Laboratory conditions were maintained at 27 ± 1 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). All prey types were suitable as food for <em>N. californicus</em>, but prey diet significantly influenced the predator's immature development and adult longevity in both sexes. The shortest developmental time (egg to adult) of predatory mite was 4.35 and 4.17 days for male and female when fed on <em>Te. urticae</em> motile stages. The shortest and longest oviposition periods were 12.53 and 19.07 days for <em>B. praetiosa</em> and <em>Te. urticae</em>, respectively. The highest fecundity per female was 39.60 eggs for <em>Te. urticae</em>, followed by 31.67 eggs for <em>E. orientalis</em>. The study found that <em>Te. urticae</em> had the highest net reproductive rates (<em>R</em>₀), intrinsic rate of increase (<em>r</em>), finite rate of increase (<em>λ</em>), and gross reproduction rate (<em>GRR</em>). Additionally, <em>Te. urticae</em> exhibited the shortest mean generation time (<em>T</em>) and doubling time (<em>DT</em>) compared to <em>B. praetiosa</em> and <em>Ty. putrescentiae</em>. Age-stage-specific fecundity (<em>fxj</em>) was highest for <em>Te. urticae</em>, followed by <em>E. orientalis</em>, <em>Ty. putrescentiae</em>, and <em>B. praetiosa</em>. A similar trend was observed in the age-stage-specific life expectancy (<em>exj</em>). Interestingly, the highest predation rates for both male and female <em>N. californicus</em> were observed when feeding on <em>Ty. putrescentiae</em> compared to the other prey species. The results obtained can be useful in the biological control of phytophagous mites on field crops. Further studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness in combination with other parameters of a control program for managing pests affecting crops under field or greenhouse conditions. https://www.persianacarology.org/article_237948_e2fcb41d27a386bd2390e2ef6c96e80f.pdf