رفتار شکارگری و پارامترهای جدول زندگی کنه شکارگر Neoseiulus cucumeris روی کنه تارتن دو لکه‌ای و تریپس غربی گل

Life table, predation capacity, and switching behavior are the important tools used to evaluate a predator's fitness and effectiveness. In the present study, life table parameters, daily and total predation capacity, preference, and prey switching potential of Neoseiulus cucumeris Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were studied on western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). The developmental time of predator individuals fed on TSSM was significantly longer than those reared on WFT. Both female and male longevities and the predator's total lifespan were not significantly different on TSSM and WFT. The predators fed on WFT laid a significantly higher number of eggs than those developed on TSSM. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) on TSSM and WFT was 0.183 and 0.211 day-1, while the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.201 and 1.235 day-1, respectively. Although, immatures and males of N. cucumeris consumed significantly more TSSM than WFT, there was no significant difference in net predation rate (C0), finite (ω) and stable (ψ) predation rates of the predator between two prey species. In addition, WFT is preferred over TSSM by the predator. Negative switching behavior was seen in N. cucumeris as it changed its preference from abundant TSSM nymphs or eggs to rare WFT larvae. Both prey species were suitable for N. cucumeris, being able to develop successfully on them. However, the predator performed optimally on WFT compared with TSSM owing to its enhanced biological parameters as well as its preference, indicating that WFT are a more relevant resource than TSSM.