Applied Entomology and Zoology (2005) 40, 675-678

Hiromi Furuichi, Keiko Oku, Shuichi Yano, Akio Takafuji and Masahiro Osakabe (2005)
Why does the predatory mite Neoseiulus womersleyi Schicha (Acari: Phytoseiidae) prefer spider mite eggs to adults?
Applied Entomology and Zoology 40 (4), 675-678
Abstract: Adult female Neoseiulus womersleyi feed on all stages of tetranychid mites, although they show a strong preference for eggs over adult females when both are available. We found that the oviposition rate of N. womersleyi females supplied with eggs of Tetranychus kanzawai or T. urticae was significantly higher than that of N. womersleyi females supplied with adult females of the respective prey species. The results suggested that the preference of N. womersleyi females for spider mite eggs simply reflected the optimal foraging of the females.
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Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Masahiro Osakabe, Keiko Oku, Shuichi Yano

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae
	Tetranychus kanzawai		Japan
Neoseiulus womersleyi (predator)	Tetranychus urticae		Japan
Neoseiulus womersleyi (predator)	Tetranychus kanzawai		Japan