Prey stage preference of Amblyseius paraaerialis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on varied life stages of the spider mites Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus macfarlanei and Oligonychus biharensis (Acari: Tetranychidae) and exploring the mass rearing possibilities of this predatory mite on alternative diets.

Spider mites Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus macfarlanei and Oligonychus biharensis are considered to be highly polyphagous in nature and causes severe damage to a wide range of plants around the world. Amblyseius paraaerialis is an efficient phytoseiid predator of spider mites with a potential to survive on both natural and alternative diets. Evaluation of predatory potential and prey stage preference provides valuable information on the efficacy of the predatory species in controlling mite population. Feeding experiments were conducted on mulberry leaf discs under the laboratory conditions of 30 ± 2 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). After 24 h of feeding experiment, the adult female predator exhibited a significant preference in feeding towards the eggs of T. macfarlanei (42.6%) and the larval stages of T. urticae (46%) and O. biharensis (25.3%). The mass rearing possibilities of A. paraaerialis was tested by tracking and comparing the developmental duration of individual life stages on varied food sources like, honey, castor (Ricinus communis) pollen, honey-pollen mixture and mixed life stages of T. urticae. The predator was failed to complete its development on honey and pollen when supplied separately. However it was successfully developed on honey-pollen mixture and mixed life stages of T. urticae. The developmental studies unravelled a shortest developmental duration and an extended adult longevity and lifespan of A. paraaerialis when reared on the alternative diet, thus opened up the mass rearing possibility of the predatory species under laboratory conditions.