Functional and numerical responses of Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) in Cuba

The broad mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) is a cosmopolitan pest of many important crops in tropical and subtropical regions and in greenhouses worldwide. With few exceptions, P. latus is controlled with pesticides but resistance of this species to acaricides has encouraged researchers to develop biological methods to control this mite pest. In the present study, some biological parameters of Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) as a predator of the broad mite were evaluated. The functional and numerical responses of adult females of the generalist predator A. largoensis on active and inactive larvae and males of broad mite were determined in the laboratory. Predation experiments were conducted on potato leaves placed in 5.5 cm Petri dishes at 21 +/- 2 degrees C, 70 +/- 5% RH and 14L:10D photoperiod for 24 h. Prey densities were: 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100, or 110 per leaf. Attack coefficients and handling times were estimated using Holling's disk and Hansell's equations (Type II and Type III response, respectively). The functional response of A. largoensis to prey showed a Holling's type II response. Predator search efficiency was inversely related to prey density. These results indicate that A. largoensis is a promising candidate to be used as a biocontrol agent of P. latus in Cuban agroecosystems.