| Summary: | The predatory mite Neoseiulus longispinosus (Evans, 1952) isused as a specialized acariphage on vegetable, flower and berry crops inAsia. In protected ground of European agriculture, N. californicus is one ofthe effective predators of spider mites (Tetranychidae). The periodicity ofattacks on the victim depends on the temperature. The predator prefers tohunt immature individuals of T. urticae, often ignoring adult female spidermites if there is a choice. N. longispinosus does not show preferencebetween eggs and T. urticae nymphs. However, as the density of the spidermite population increases, the predatory mite switches its diet from theeggs to its larvae and nymphs. Adult females of N. californicus exhibit atype 2 functional response to both eggs and T. urticae nymphs. Pyrethroidand avermectin substances are highly toxic to predator populations, despitelow acute toxicity of many other insecticides (Actara, Envidor, etc.).
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