Provision of astigmatid mites as supplementary food increases the density of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii in greenhouse crops, but does not support the omnivorous pest, western flower thrips

Abstract Astigmatid mites can be used as prey for mass rearing of phytoseiid predators, but also a supplemental food source to support predator populations in crops. Here we evaluated the potential six species astigmatid (living or frozen) alternative predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot greenhouse All tested were suitable oviposition. In general, oviposition was greater when reared on dog with yeast than they wheat bran yeast. Amongst items provided frozen diet, larvae Thyreophagus entomophagus (Laboulbene), Acarus siro L. and Lepidoglyphus destructor (Schrank) that had been yeast, resulted highest rates A. . T. diet shortest preimaginal developmental time On chrysanthemum plants, found greatest increase density occurred living entomophagous source. This predators fed cattail pollen, commonly food. Effects providing , food, comparable provision pollen. Use crops risk if it is consumed by omnivorous pests such western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande. However, showed both unsuitable thrips Hence, believe increases density, supporting biological control other