Assessing the impact of long-term rearing on pollen diet (saffron and cattail) versus factitious prey [Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Astigmatidae)] on the biological performance of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Articles in Press
Authors
Shima Yazdanpanah
Yaghoub Fathipour
Tarbiat Modares University
Abstract
The biological performance of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) as a selective generalist predator of spider mites was assessed up to 10 generations (G1 and G10) fed on the saffron and cattail pollen grains, as well as the factitious prey Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Acari: Astigmatidae). All the experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions at 25±1°C, 65±5% RH, and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L: D) h. The total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) was shorter in G10 than in G1 when the predator was fed with the factitious prey. Female longevity and the total lifespan of N. californicus were significantly reduced in G10 compared to G1 across all diets. The values of the gross reproductive rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (R0), and intrinsic and finite rates of increase (r and λ, respectively) had no significant difference between G1 and G10 when the predator was reared on the cattail pollen. In contrast, the values of these parameters were significantly lower in G10 on the prey and saffron pollen. After one generation of feeding on saffron pollen, GRR, R0, r, and λ showed no significant differences compared to the cattail pollen, prey, and mixed diets, while in G10, these values had no significant difference when the predator reared on the cattail pollen and factitious prey, whereas these values were higher than those fed on the saffron pollen. In conclusion, cattail pollen and T. putrescentiae are more suitable than saffron pollen for the rearing of the predatory mite N. californicus for up to 10 generations.

Keywords

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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 September 2025