Efficacy of the predator Mallada basalis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) on Tetranychus kanzawai and Panonychus citri (Acari: Tetranychidae) at different predator:prey release ratios

• Published in: Journal of Asia-Pacific entomology 2012, 15(1), , pp.142-146
• Main Authors: Cheng, Ling Lan, Nechols, James R., Margolies, David C., Campbell, James F., Yang, Ping Shih, Chen, Chien Chung, Lu, Chiu Tung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acari; Augmentation; BIOLOGICAL CONTROL; Chrysopidae; CONTROL BIOLOGICO; LUTTE BIOLOGIQUE; Natural enemy; Neuroptera; Panonychus citri; Phytophagous mites; Predator-prey interactions; Tetranychidae; Tetranychus kanzawai; 농수해양학
• ISSN: 1226-8615; 1876-7990
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2011.09.008

We compared population suppression of the phytophagous mites, Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida and Panonychus citri (McGregor), on papaya by second instar larvae of the green lacewing, Mallada basalis (Walker), at various predator:prey release ratios in the laboratory. Initially, we presented M. basalis with mixed age classes of each mite species separately at a density of approximately 30 mites per seedling. After 3 days, predator:prey ratios of 1:30, 1:15, and 1:10 resulted in reductions of T. kanzawai of 66.8%, 82.6%, and 83.3%, respectively, and reductions of P. citri of 41.8%, 75.5%, and 77.2%, respectively. Predation on individual age classes was approximately equal in both species, reinforcing previous findings that this predator does not show a preference among age classes. We next presented M. basalis with mixed populations of the two mite species in which there were equal numbers of each species and the density was as in the single species tests. Total mite reduction with both mite species present was 48.5%, 71.9%, and 74.5% at ratios of 1:30, 1:15, and 1:10, respectively; T. kanzawai was reduced by 50.5%, 77.4%, and 79.5%, respectively, and P. citri was reduced by 44.1%, 60.3%, and 63.2%, respectively. This study suggests that M. basalis has the potential for substantially suppressing populations of both T. kanzawai and P. citri on papaya at a predator:prey ratio of 1:15 or greater. However, evaluation under realistic agricultural settings is needed before specific recommendations about predator release rates can be made. [Display omitted] ► We compared population suppression of two papaya pest mites by Mallada basalis. ► M. basalis significantly suppressed populations of both T. kanzawai and P. citri. ► M. basalis exerted same levels of predation on all age classes of both mite species.