Persian Journal of Acarology

Persian Journal of Acarology

Biological characteristics and predation capacity of predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and sunflower, tamarix, and common mallow pollens

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Atefeh Dahmardeh 1
Ali Mirshekar 2
Maryam Rezaie 3
Sara Ramroodi 1
1 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, 98613-35856, Iran
2 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
3 Zoology Research Department, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
10.22073/pja.v14i4.87354
Abstract
The supply of pollens as an alternative food can enhance the performance of phytoseiid predatory mites. The study determined the effects of three different pollens (sunflower, tamarix, and common mallow) as supplementary diets on the life table parameters and predation rate of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in the absence and presence of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) eggs. The chemical compositions of the pollens were also analyzed. The results showed that the fecundity of N. californicus on T. urticae in the presence of pollen was significantly higher than that on pollen alone. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) on T. urticae in the presence of tamarix and common mallow pollens (0.131 and 0.132 day−1, respectively) was significantly higher than those recorded on the other diets. The net reproductive rate (R0) varied from 0.585 offspring (on sunflower pollen) to 8.465 offspring (on tamarix pollen + T. urticae). The cohort reared on common mallow pollen + T. urticae had the highest values of both intrinsic rate and the finite rate of increase, followed by tamarix pollen + T. urticae. The predation rate of T. urticae by N. californicus fed on tamarix pollen was the highest compared to other pollens. Tamarix pollen had the highest protein content, while sunflower pollen contained higher levels of lipid, phenol, and flavonoid compounds. Due to its higher protein content, tamarix pollen had favorable effects on the survival, development, fecundity, and predation rate of N. californicus. Tamarix pollen can be used as a supplementary medium alongside T. urticae, since the treatment with tamarix pollen + T. urticae eggs showed most of the superior parameters. Therefore, N. californicus reared on tamarix pollen can be helpful in controlling T. urticae.
Keywords
Biological control
fecundity
intrinsic rate of increase
pollen feeding
predation rate
survival rate
Ansari-Shiri, H., Fathipour, Y., Hajiqanbar, H., Riahi, E. & Riddick, E. W. (2022) Quality control of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii during long-term rearing on almond Prunus amygdalus pollen. Arthropod-Plant Interactions, 16(6): 645–655. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11829-022-09929-6
Bonvehi, S.J., Torrento, M.S., & Lorente, E.G. (2001) Evaluation of polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds in honeybee-collected pollen produced in Spain. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 49: 1848–1853. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0012300
Bradford, M.M. (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Analytical Biochemistry, 72: 248–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/ 0003-2697(76)90527-3
Carey, J.R. (1993) Applied Demography for Biologists: Special Emphasis on Insects. Oxford University Press, New York, 206 pp. https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780195066876.001.0001
Chi, H. (1988) Life-table analysis incorporating both sexes and variable development rates among individuals. Environmental Entomology, 17: 26–34. https://doi.org/ 10.1093/ee/17.1.26
Chi, H. (2025a) TWOSEX-MSChart: A computer program for the age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. Available from: http://140.120.197.173/Ecology/Download/ TWOSEX-MSChart.rar
Chi, H. (2025b) CONSUME-MSChart: A computer program for consuming rate analysis based on the age stage, two-sex life table. Available from: http://140.120.197.173/Ecology/Download/CONSUME-MSChart.zip
Chi, H. & Liu, H. (1985) Two new methods for the study of insect population ecology. Academia Sinica, 24: 225–240.
Chi, H. & Yang, T.C. (2003) Two-sex life table and predation rate of Propylaea japonica Thunberg (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) fed on Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Homoptera: Aphididae). Environmental Entomology, 32: 327–333. https://doi.org/ 10.1603/0046-225X-32.2.327
Eini, N., Jafari, S., Fathipour, Y. & Zalucki, M. P. (2022) How pollen grains of 23 plant species affect performance of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus. BioControl, 67(2): 173–187. https://doi.org/10.22073/pja.v14i1. 85955
Fadaei, E., Hakimitabar, M., Seiedy, M. & Sarraf Moaieri, H. (2018) Effects of different diets on biological parameters of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae). International Journal of Acarology, 44(7): 341–346. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2018.1525428
Farhadi, R., Allahyari, H. & Chi, H. (2011) Life table and predation capacity of Hippodamia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) feeding on Aphis fabae (Hemiptera: Aphididae). Biological Control, 59: 83–89. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2011.07.013
Fathipour, Y. & Maleknia, B. (2016) Mite predators. In: Omkar (Ed.), Ecofriendly Pest Management for Food Security. San Diego, USA, Elsevier, pp. 329–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803265-7.00011-7
Goleva, I., Rubio Cadena, E.C., Ranabhat, N.B., Beckereit, C. & Zebitz, C.P. (2015). Dietary effects on body weight of predatory mites (Acari, Phytoseiidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology, 66: 541–553. https://doi. org/10.1007/s10493-015-9920-5
Goleva, I. & Zebit, C.P.W. (2013) Suitability of different pollen as alternative food for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 61: 259–283. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s10493-013-9700-z
Goodman, D. (1982) Optimal life histories, optimal notation, and the value of reproductive value. The American Naturalist, 119: 803–823.
Gravandian, M., Fathipour, Y., Hajiqanbar, H., Riahi, E. & Riddick, E.W. (2022) Long-term effects of cattail Typha latifolia pollen on development, reproduction, and predation capacity of Neoseiulus cucumeris, a predator of Tetranychus urticae. BioControl, 67: 149–160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-021-10116-4
Gugole Ottaviano, M.F., Cédola, C.V., Sánchez, N.E. & Greco, N.M. (2015) Conservation biological control in strawberry: effect of different pollen on development, survival, and reproduction of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology, 67: 507–521. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-015-9971-7
Hashemi, S., Asadi, M. & Khanamani, M. (2021) How does feeding on different diets affect the life history traits of Neoseiulus californicus? International Journal of Acarology, 47(5): 367–373. https://doi.org/10.1080/01647954.2 021.1912175
Hatherly, L.S., Bale, J.S. & Walters, K.F. (2005) Intraguild predation and feeding preferences in three species of phytoseiid mite used for biological control. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 37(1): 43–55. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s10493-005-0358-z
Havasi, M., Mosallanejad, H. & Fathipour, Y. (2020) Influence of low-lethal concentrations of thiamethoxam on biological characteristics of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Journal of Crop Protection, 9(1): 41–55.
Huang, Y.B. & Chi, H. (2013) Life tables of Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae): with an invalidation of the jackknife technique. Journal of Applied Entomology, 137(5): 327–339. https://doi.org/10.1111/jen.12002
Khanamani, M., Fathipour, Y., Talebi, A.A. & Mehrabadi, M. (2017a) Evaluation of different artificial diets for rearing the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae): diet-dependent life table studies. Acarologia, 57(2): 407–419. https://doi.org/10.1051/acarologia/20174165
Khanamani, M., Fathipour, Y., Talebi, A.A. & Mehrabadi, M. (2017b) How pollen supplementary diet affect life table and predation capacity of Neoseiulus californicus on two-spotted spider mite. Systematic and Applied Acarology, 22(1): 135–147. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.22.1.14
Khanamani, M., Fathipour, Y., Talebi, A.A. & Mehrabadi, M. (2017c) Linking pollen quality and performance of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in two‐spotted spider mite management programs. Pest Management Science, 73(2): 452–461. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4305
Kostiainen, T. & Hoy, M.A. (1994) Variability in resistance to organophosphorus insecticides in field‐collected colonies of Amblyseius finlandicus (Oudemans) (Acari, Phytoseiidae). Journal of Applied Entomology, 117(1–5): 370–379. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0418.1994.tb00748.x
Larson, R.L. (1971) Glucosylation of quercetin by a maize pollen enzyme. Phytochemistry, 10: 3073–3076. https:// doi.org/10.1016/s0031-9422(00)97355-2
McMurtry, J.A., De Moraes, G.J. & Sourassou, N.F. (2013) Revision of the lifestyles of phytoseiid mites (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and implications for biological control strategies. Systematic and Applied Acarology, 18(4): 297–320. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.18.4.1
Moghadasi, M., Saboori, A., Allahyari, H. & Zahedi Golpayegani, A. (2014) Life table and predation capacity of Typhlodromus bagdasarjani (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on rose. International Journal of Acarology, 40: 501–508. https://doi.org/ 10.1080/01647954.2014.962084
Pascua, M.S., Rocca, M., Greco, N. & De Clercq, P. (2020) Typha angustifolia L. pollen as an alternative food for the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Systematic and applied acarology, 25(1): 51–62. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.25.1.4
Qian, W.L., Khan, Z., Watson, D.G. & Fearnley, J. (2008) Analysis of sugars in bee pollen and propolis by ligand exchange chromatography in combination with pulsed amperometric detection and mass spectrometry. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 21(1): 78–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2007.07.001
Rezaie, M. (2019) Suitability of different plant pollens as supplementary food source and natural prey for predatory mite, Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Plant Protection, 41(4): 77–90. (In Persian with English abstract). https://doi.org/10.22055/ppr.2019.14155
Rezaie, M. & Montazerie, F. (2018) Influence of feeding with different plant pollens on prey-stage preference and predation rate of Neoseiulus Californicus (Mcgregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). International Journal of Entomological Research, 6(1): 1–6. https://doi.org/10.33687/entomol.006.01.2328
Riahi, E., Fathipour, Y., Talebi, A.A. & Mehrabadi, M. (2016) Pollen quality and predator viability: life table of Typhlodromus bagdasarjani on seven different plant pollens and two-spotted spider mite. Systematic and Applied Acarology, 21(10): 1399–1412. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.21.10.10
Riahi, E., Fathipour, Y., Talebi, A.A. & Mehrabadi, M. (2017) Natural diets versus factitious prey: comparative effects on development, fecundity and life table of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Systematic and Applied Acarology, 22(5): 711–723. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.22.5.10
Rodrigues, L.C.C., Fortini, R.M. & Neves, M. (2023) Impacts of the use of biological pest control on the technical efficiency of the Brazilian agricultural sector. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 20: 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04032-y
Roulston, T.H. & Cane, J.H. (2000) Pollen nutritional content and digestibility for animals. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 222: 187–209. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00984102
Saber, S.A. (2012) Biological aspects and life table parameters of the predacious mite, Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) consuming food types during immature stages and after adult emergence. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection, 45(20): 2494-2501. https://doi.org/10.1080/03235408.2012.730 887
Sarwar, M. (2016) Comparative life history characteristics of the mite predator Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on mite and pollen diets. International Journal of Pest Management, 62(2): 140–148. https:// doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2016.1146806
Sazo, L., Araya, J.E. & Iturriaga, P. (2006) Effect of the type of pollen on survival, fertility and viability of eggs of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) in the laboratory. Boletin de Sanidad Vegetal Plagas, 32: 3619–3623.
Schausberger, P. (2003) Cannibalism among phytoseiid mites: a review. Experimental and Applied Acarology, 29: 173–191. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1025839206394
SigmaPlot (2011) SigmaPlot, version 12.0, Systat Software Inc.
Soltaniyan, A., Kheradmand, K., Fathipour, Y. & Shirdel, D. (2018) Suitability of pollen from different plant species as alternative food sources for Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in comparison with a natural prey. Journal of Economic Entomology, 111(5): 2046–2052. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy172
Stanley, R.G. & Linskens, H.F. (1974) Pollen: Biology Biochemistry and Management. Springer, Berlin, 310 pp.
Tsolakis, H. & Chiara, S. (1994) Biological and life table parameters of Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) (Parasitiformes, Phytoseiidae) on different kinds of food substances. Phytophaga, 5: 21–28.
Yazdanpanah, S., Fathipour, Y. & Riahi, E. (2021) Pollen grains are suitable alternative food for rearing the commercially used predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Systematic and Applied Acarology, 26(5): 1009–1020. https://doi.org/10.11158/saa.26.5.14
Persian Journal of Acarology
Volume 14, Issue 4 - Serial Number 55
Autumn 2025 Article ID:140407