The Canadian Entomologist (1997) 129, 221-227

G.P. Opit, B. Roitberg and D.R. Gillespie (1997)
The functional response and prey preference of Feltiella acarisuga Vallot) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) for two of its prey: male and female twospotted spider mites, Teranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychiidae)
The Canadian Entomologist 129 (2), 221-227
Abstract: The preference of the predatory midge, Feltiella acarisuga (Vallot), for adult male and female twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, was examined using functional response models. The midge exhibited a type-II functional response to each prey. Handling time was estimated to be much higher for the female mites than for the males (1.52 vs. 0.40 h). Estimated instantaneous search rates for the female and male mites were similar (1.32 vs. 1.28). A preference index of 1.03 was calculated using the ratio of the instantaneous search rates. Feltiella acarisuga was found to exhibit no preference for either female or male mites; when both prey were present in equal numbers, midge larvae killed as many females as males.
(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): George P. Opit, David R. Gillespie

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	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Phytoseiulus persimilis (predator)	Tetranychus urticae	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Feltiella acarisuga (predator)	Tetranychus urticae	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)