Consumption rate and predatory preference of the predaceous mite, Neoseiulus californicus to Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus lewisi on strawberry in California, USA

Abstract

We studied the predatory efficiency and preference of Neoseiulus californicus to Tetranychus urticae and Eotetranychus lewisi on strawberry. The results indicated that N. californicus preferred to consume E. lewisi and cause more mean per cent reduction (90.00-96.66) compared to T. urticae (60.00-80.00). Although N. californicus appeared to prefer E. lewisi, its efficiency in feeding upon T. urticae makes it a useful natural enemy in an IPM programme for the control of T. urticae and E. lewisi on strawberry.