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Performance of Amblyseius herbicolus on broad mites and on castor bean and sunnhemp pollen

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Abstract

Amblyseius herbicolus (Banks) is found associated with broad mites Polyphagotarsonemus latus in crops such as chili pepper in Brazil. The species has a potential for controlling P. latus, but little is known about its development and reproduction on this pest as well as on other food sources. We studied biological, reproductive and life table parameters of A. herbicolus on three different diets: broad mites, castor bean pollen (Ricinus communis) and sunnhemp pollen (Crotalaria juncea). The predator was able to develop and reproduce on all diets. However, its intrinsic growth rate was higher on the diet of broad mites or on castor bean pollen than on sunnhemp pollen. Differences among pollen species may be due to their nutritional content. Feeding on alternative food such as pollen can facilitate the predator’s mass rearing and maintain its population on crops when prey is absent or scarce. Other strategies of using pollen to sustain predator population and reduce pest damage are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The National Council of Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and Minas Gerais State Foundation for Research Aid (FAPEMIG) are thanked for financial support and fellowships for M. Venzon. Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) is thanked for the scholarship of F.A. Rodríguez Cruz.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-000, Brazil

    Fredy Alexander Rodríguez-Cruz

  2. Agriculture and Livestock Research Enterprise of Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), Vila Gianetti 46, Viçosa, MG, 36570-000, Brazil

    Madelaine Venzon & Cleide Maria Ferreira Pinto

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  1. Fredy Alexander Rodríguez-Cruz
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  2. Madelaine Venzon
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  3. Cleide Maria Ferreira Pinto
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Correspondence to Madelaine Venzon.

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Rodríguez-Cruz, F.A., Venzon, M. & Pinto, C.M.F. Performance of Amblyseius herbicolus on broad mites and on castor bean and sunnhemp pollen. Exp Appl Acarol 60, 497–507 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-013-9665-y

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