First evidence of predation of the ant species Lasius alienus on the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae

The poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) (Acari: Dermanyssidae), is a common and significant ectoparasite of the industry worldwide. Although various biological, chemical, physical methods have been attempted, an utterly successful control strategy has not put forward yet. Our experimental investigations observations revealed that ant species Lasius alienus displays effective predatory behavior on all biological stages PRM. results also suggested L. attracted by PRM-infested substrate at distance. We concluded predation PRM worth further investigation as it could possibly be strategy.