Functional response of the predatory mite, Typhlodromus bagdasarjani (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to protonymphs of Eotetranychus frosti (Acari: Tetranychidae) on four apple cultivars

The functional response of natural enemies and their interactions may be affected by host plant characters. Functional the adult females predatory mite, Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein Arutunjan to protonymphs Eotetranychus frosti (McGregor) on four apple cultivars Imperial Gala, Kohanz Golab, Granny Smith Lebanon Red was investigated. E. were offered female predator at densities 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 128 leaf discs (4 cm<sup>2</sup>). number length trichomes lower surface each cultivar measured. highest lowest observed in respectively. exhibited type II regardless cultivars. Also, values attack rate (a) handling time (T<sub>h</sub>) determined using Rogers's model. Adult T. had (0.0747 h<sup>1</sup>) shortest (0.7005 h) (0.0334 longest (1.1189 Smith. theoretical maximum predation (T/T<sub>h</sub>) 34.26, 33.79, 26.85 21.45 prey/day, estimated value a/T<sub>h</sub> indicated that most effective against Golab with trichomes. finding this study shows searching activity trichome density leaves.