Predation capacity of soil-dwelling predatory mites on two major maize pests

The western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera (WCR), and the wireworm Agriotes sordidus (WW), whose eggs first instar larvae develop in few centimeters of soil, are major crop pests. As soil-dwelling predatory mites known as potential biocontrol agents against many pests, we investigated predation capacity Stratiolaelaps scimitus, Gaeolaelaps aculeifer Macrocheles robustulus on immature stages WCR WW a laboratory setting. While were never consumed, all three predator species attacked both larvae. these results need to be confirmed natural conditions, our work identifies early larval stage instead egg most vulnerable for control with mites.