European Journal of Entomology (2008) 105, 461-466

M.L. Pappas, G.D. Broufas and D.S. Koveos (2008)
The two spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae), alternative prey for the lacewing Dichochrysa prasina (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)
European Journal of Entomology 105 (3), 461-466
Abstract: The predatory lacewing Dichochrysa prasina Burmeister can feed and reproduce on various aphid species. However, other species such as the two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch may serve as an alternative prey for this predator in the field in periods when the population density of aphids is low. In peach orchards in Northern Greece D. prasina larvae are often found during the summer months on leaves infested with T. urticae. The development and reproduction of D. prasina fed on T. urticae at a series of different constant temperatures were studied. The percentages of D. prasina larvae that completed their development when fed on T. urticae ranged from 12 to 60% depending on the temperature over the range from 20 to 30°C, whereas at temperatures above 33°C no larvae survived. Longevity and egg production of D. prasina females fed during the larval stages on T. urticae were also determined and certain demographic parameters such as the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m), mean generation time and net reproductive rate were estimated. Over the range of temperatures from 20 to 27°C, the r_m values were not significantly different and varied from 0.06629 to 0.07030. Based on the results of the present study, the possible effect of the availability of T. urticae as prey for D. prasina during summer, when its main prey species is scarce, is discussed.
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Database assignments for author(s): Dimitris S. Koveos, Maria Pappas, Georgios Broufas

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Tetranychus urticae	Peach/nectarine (Prunus persica)	Greece
Pseudomallada prasinus (predator)	Tetranychus urticae	Peach/nectarine (Prunus persica)	Greece