Insect Science (2019) 26, 322-332

Mei-Fang Wen, Hsin Chi, Ying-Xiao Lian, Yu-Hao Zheng, Qing-Hai Fan and Min-Sheng You (2019)
Population characteristics of Macrocheles glaber (Acari: Macrochelidae) and Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Acari: Laelapidae) reared on a mushroom fly Coboldia fuscipes (Diptera: Scatopsidae)
Insect Science 26 (2), 322-332
Abstract: Subterranean predatory mites are important biological control agents of pests in soil. In order to understand the population characteristics of two predatory mites, Macrocheles glaber Müller and Stratiolaelaps scimitus Womersley, we studied their development, survival and fecundity data under laboratory conditions using Coboldia fuscipes Meigen as a food source and analyzed them with the age-stage, two-sex life table. Macrocheles glaber had a significantly shorter developmental time, oviposition period, longevity and lower fecundity than those of S. scimitus. The intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R₀), net predation rate (C₀), and finite predation rate (ω) of M. glaber were significantly lower than those of S. scimitus. Both population parameters and computer simulation implied that S. scimitus is a potential powerful biocontrol agent compared to M. glaber.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Qing-Hai Fan, Minsheng You

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Coboldia fuscipes	Mushrooms
Stratiolaelaps scimitus (predator)	Coboldia fuscipes	Mushrooms
Macrocheles glaber (predator)	Coboldia fuscipes	Mushrooms