IGP was assessed among the exotic one N. californicus and the native species N. barkeri and A. swirskii as Intraguild predator (IG-predator)/intraguild prey (IG-prey) in either absence or presence of extra-guild prey Tetranychus urticae Koch (EG-prey). In the laboratory, the physiological parameters, longevity, fecundity, and predation rate of these predatory mites’ females, fed on EG-prey, were evaluated, where phytoseiid larvae are considered as (IG-prey) or combined IG-prey with EG-prey. All predatory species consumed larval stages of each other’s, but in case of N. californicus, females failed to sustain oviposition on N. barkeri larvae. Also, it was noticed that N. californicus females killed 3 times more A. swirskii larvae than N. barkeri larvae, whereas A. swirskii consumed more N. californicus than N. barkeri larvae, respectively. Neoseiulus californicus lived longer on T. urticae and A. swirskii larvae than on N. barkeri, while the latter survived longer on T. urticae only than on the other prey or with combinations with T. urticae. Amblyseius swirskii lived shorter when fed exclusively on T. urticae or IG-prey than on EG-prey combined with IG-prey. In choice experiments, N. californicus showed a higher preference to consume more T. urticae than any of phytoseiid larvae. The comparison between T. urticae and IG-prey diets definite the higher influence of T. urticae on the fecundity in N. californicus and N. barkeri than on IG-prey, whereas in A. swirskii fecundity was as equal on T. urticae as on IG-prey N. californicus larvae. Conclusion Tuda M, Ronn J, Buranapanichpan S, Wasano N, Arnqvist G (2006) Evolutionary diversification of the bean beetle genus Callosobruchus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae): traits associated with stored-product pest status. Mol Ecol 15:3541–3551 Temperatures should be between 10-35 ℃. Ideally there should also be a relative humidity above 60%, however lower levels can be endured by the californicus. How Many Californicus Sachets Do I Need?

Most countries require a licence to be issued before non-native macro-organisms may be released as biocontrol agents. Controlled in some countries. Defra licence required for UK release Greco NM, Sánchez NE, Liljesthröm GG (2005) Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a potential control agent of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae): effect of pest/predator ratio on the pest abundance on strawberry. Exp Appl Acarol 37:57–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-005-0067-7 Greco NM, Liljesthröm GG, Gugole Ottaviano MF, Cluigt N, Cingolani MF, Zembo JC, Sánchez NE (2011) Pest management plan for Tetranychus urticae based on the natural occurrence of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae) in strawberry. Int J Pest Manag 57:299–308. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670874.2011.596229 Penman DR, Chapman RB (1980) Integrated control of apple pests in New Zealand. 17. Relationships of Amblyseius fallacis to phytophagous mites in an apple orchard. N Zeal J Zool 7:281–287

Key Features

Shipp JL, Ward KI, Gillespie TJ (1996) Influence of temperature and vapor pressure deficit on the rate of predation by the predatory mite, Amblyseius cucumeris, on Frankliniella occidentalis. Entomol Exp Appl 78:31–38

Riahi E, Fathipour Y, Talebi AA, Mehrabadi M (2017) Linking life table and consumption rate of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in presence and absence of different pollens. Ann Entomol Soc Am 110:244–253

Main uses

In greater populations, Spider Mites will also produce webbing on the plants. These webs will contain huge numbers of the pest and are often used by the mites to move from plant to plant. This is achieved when the webs are blown around, or even when Spider Mites briefly attach themselves to the people working with the plants to hitch a ride! Arlian LG (1975) Dehydration and survival of the European house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. J Med Ent 12:437–444 Shipp L, Johansen N, Vanninen I, Jocobson R (2009) Greenhouse climate: an important consideration when developing pest management programs for greenhouse crops. Acta Hortic (ISHS) 893:133–143 De Courcy Williams ME, Kravar-Garde L, Fenlon J, Sunderland KD (2004) Phytoseiid mites in protected crops: the effect of humidity and food availability on egg hatch and adult life span of Iphiseius degenerans, Neoseiulus cucumeris, N. californicus and Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Exp Appl Acarol 32:1–3