Life history and reproduction of two species of predacious mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and Amblyseius andersoni (Chant) (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

The basic biological characteristics of two species of predacious phytoseiid mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius andersoni, were studied in the laboratory. The results showed that P. persimilis had a higher reproductive rate during a shorter oviposition period and produced more progeny than A. andersoni. Amblyseius andersoni is considered to be along-lived phytoseiid and its rate of predation on adult female spider mites was higher than that of P. persimilis. With both species, unmated females did not reproduce and consumed significantly fewer prey than mated females.