Comparative biological features of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii on Bemisia tabaci MED (Q2), MEAM1 and Typha latifolia pollen

Abstract: The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is one of the
major insect species that causes significant crop losses worldwide., The pest is currently
referred to as the Bemisia species complex, which consists of at least 34 genetic groups. Among these, MEAM1 (Middle East Asia Minor 1) (also known as Bemisia argentifoli or B biotype) and MED (Mediterranean) (also known as Q biotype) are the most common and invasive species. A number of phytoseiid (Acari: Phytoseiidae) mite species are known as natural enemies of B. tabaci. Among these, Amblyseius swirskii Athias – Henriot has become one of the major species that used in biological control of B. tabaci. In this study, the biological characteristics of two populations of A. swirskii (non-commercial and commercial) fed on B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED (Q2) were determined in comparison with A. swirskii fed solely on Typha latifolia L. (Typhaceae) pollen. The immature development time of A. swirskii fed on B. tabaci MEAM1 and MED (Q2) was longer than that of those fed on pollen. The oviposition period varied according to the species of B. tabaci, the longest was recorded when the predator fed on MEAM1. A higher total mean number of eggs laid per female when fed on pollen than on B. tabaci MED (Q2) and MEAM1. The results showed that the biological characteristics of A. swirskii changed depending on the host that fed on.