The soil mite Cunaxa capreolus (Acari: Cunaxidae) as a predator of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and the citrus Nematode, Tylenchulus semipenetrans: Implications for biological control

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are dangerous pests, causing serious losses to the world’s agricultural crops. As soil-dwelling predaceous mites known as potential biological control agents against many we investigated interactions between cunaxid mite, Cunaxa capreolus (Berlese), and two plant parasites (root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid White) citrus Nematode, Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb under laboratory conditions. The predatory mite C. completed its life-span when fed on egg masses EM second-stage juveniles J2 of M. T. food sources in sealed arenas at 32ºC, 60% relative humidity dark. Males developed slightly faster than females irrespective different prey. Adult lived longer males showed a higher rate consumption. Life table parameters indicated that feeding led highest reproduction (r<sub>m</sub>= 0.185 0.167 females/female/day), while gave lowest 0.085). results show multiplied rapidly were offered prey, indicating mite’s for regulating population densities these pests. Future research should focus understanding crop soil management applications required enable this other species thrive. implications parasitic discussed.