واکنش تابعی و واکنش عددی وابسته به سن در کنه شکارگر Neoseiulus californicus (Acari : Phytoseiidae) با تغذیه از کنه تارتن دولکه‌ای

It is important impressive to know how the quality of predators changes during different ages. Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is one of the most important biocontrol agents in integrated pest management (IPM) programs of greenhouse pests, with different feeding habits on pollen, thrips, eriophyiids, and spider mites. The two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch is the most polyphagous species of the family Tetranychidae, causing economic losses on many important greenhouse and field crops. This study assessed the effect of the age-dependent functional response and numerical response of N. californicus fed on nymphs and larvae of Tetranychus urticae Koch under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 1℃, 70 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16L: 8D h. In the functional response test, the 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 densities of prey were given to 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40-day-old ages of female and 7, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30-day-old ages of male of N. californicus. The logistic regression was used to distinguish the type of functional response. Type II functional response was determined for all ages of the male and female individuals of N. californicus. The highest predation rate, and searching efficiency (a) was recorded in the middle ages of the predator. A significative enhancement in oviposition was shown with increasing T. urticae density and increasing ages of the predator. Also, in the middle age with low prey density, the efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) was the highest. The findings from this study showed that the different ages of N. californicus are influencing factors on its foraging behavior and oviposition rate.