پارامترهای رشد جمعیت کنه‌ شکارگر Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) روی کنه تارتن و تریپس غربی گل

Predators efficacy can be influenced by a variety of variables in the greenhouse system, including plant characteristics, prey species, interactions among prey species, intra-guild predation, environmental factors, and other integrated pest management strategies. So before using a natural enemy in an integrated pest management program, it is essential to know how effective it is. Investigation of predator characteristics provides a better understanding of the predator influence on prey population dynamics. In the present study, life table parameters of Amblyseius swirskii on Frankliniella occidentalis and Tetranychus urticae were investigated. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) on thrips (0.176 day-1) was higher than on spider mite (0.157 day-1); however, there were no significant differences between them. Similarly, the effects of feeding on two different diets (thrips vs. spider mite) on other life table parameters, including gross reproductive rate (GRR) (22/94 vs. 27/15 offspring), net reproductive rate (R0) (19/16 vs. 21/51 offspring), and finite rate of increase (λ) (1/19 vs. 1/17 day-1), were not significant. Furthermore, the individuals fed on spider mite had a longer mean generation time (T) than those reared on thrips (19/44 vs. 16/70 day). The results here clearly indicate the preference of A. swirskii for F. occidentalis over T. urticae. Additionally, A. swirskii is avoiding spider mite webbing and is not able to control T. urticae alone. Furthermore, A. swirskii cannot be an efficient agent for spider mite suppression, but it can be used as supplemental predator for spider mite control. The results of this study are needed to understand and forecast the performance of A. swirskii in greenhouse environments where both T. urticae and F. occidentalis can be present.