Development and reproduction of Amblyseius largoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on two eriophyoid mites

Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) is an important phytoseiid mite. The biological and life table parameters of A. largoensis preyed on two eriophyoid mites, Aceria ficus (Cotte) or Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer, were evaluated under laboratory conditions. In the present study, this predator was reared on two plant species (Acalypha wilkesiana Muell. and Ficus carica L.) and provided with A. ficus or R. ficifoliae as prey. Results showed that A. largoensis failed to complete its development on F. carica leaves and its individuals couldn’t reach the adult stage. In contrast, A. largoensis successfully completed its development and reproduced when reared on A. wilkesiana leaves and fed on A. ficus or R. ficifoliae. The pre-adult development of A. largoensis reared on A. wilkesiana leaves preyed on A. ficus (7.70 days) was faster than for those preyed on R. ficifoliae (8.95 days). Females fed on A. ficus showed higher number of oviposition days compared with those preyed on R. ficifoliae. Adult longevity was shorter for A. largoensis individuals fed on R. ficifoliae (22.20 days), but longer for those fed on A. ficus (26.35 days). Fecundity of A. largoensis females fed on A. ficus (25.00 eggs/female) was higher than that of those fed on R. ficifoliae (18.40 eggs/female). Amblyseius largoensis fed on A. ficus displayed better performance in terms of its population parameters, as proved by its higher values of intrinsic rate of increase (r) (0.193 day−1), finite rate of increase (λ) (1.213 day−1), and net reproductive rate (R0) (20.000 offspring) as compared to feeding on R. ficifoliae (r = 0.164 day−1, λ = 1.178 day−1, and R0 = 14.720 offspring). Although F. carica leaves seemed to be an unsuitable surface for the development of A. largoensis, the current results suggested that this phytoseiid may be promising in the control of other eriophyoid mite pests.