A Simple Method for Rearing the Predatory Mite Neoseiulus womersleyi on Kidney Bean Plants Infested with Spider Mites under Greenhouse Conditions

Abstract

A simple method for rearing native predatory mites in greenhouses by growers themselves may contribute to biological control against spider mites and/or small pest insects. We investigated the rearing efficiency of a native predatory mite (Neoseiulus womersleyi) on potted kidney bean plants infested with two-spotted spider mites Tetranychus urticae or T. pueraricola in a greenhouse. We obtained many predator individuals from T. urticae-infested bean plants, when offering them additional prey in the experiments; obtaining 2443 individuals from 5 female founders after 24 days, and 300 individuals from 2 females after 28 days. Without additional prey, we could obtain 223 individuals from one female on T. urticae-infested bean plants after 28 days, and 37 individuals from one female on T. pueraricola-infested bean plants after 18 days. These results indicated that kidney bean plants infested with either prey mite are potentially useful for simple rearing of N. womersleyi in a greenhouse.