Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, 127 Noble Research Center, Stillwater, OK 74078-3033, USA.
Biology Academic Department, Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030- 4313, USA.
J Econ Entomol. 2023 Aug 10;116(4):1447-1457. doi: 10.1093/jee/toad122.
Predatory mites display diverse ecological mechanisms to suppress pest population density below certain thresholds known to cause economic loss. The current study explored the numerical responses of the predatory mites, Cheyletus eruditus (Schrank) (Trombidiformes: Cheyletidae) and Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans, to Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocodea: Liposcelididae). The numerical responses of these 2 cheyletid mites to nymphs, adult males, and adult females of L. decolor were determined under laboratory conditions at 24 ± 1 °C, 85 ± 5 RH, and 0:24 (L:D) photoperiod. Oviposition rate, oviposition efficiency, and efficiency of conversion of ingested (ECI) food resources were the key numerical response parameters assessed. The present study revealed a general trend of a strong negative and positive correlation between oviposition rates and increase in prey densities (number of prey per 16.98 cm2) for C. eruditus and C. malaccensis, respectively. The oviposition efficiency was mostly similar for both predatory mites and was inversely related to prey density. Generally, ECI (%) decreased considerably with increasing prey density across different prey types for both predators, however, C. malaccensis was more efficient than C. eruditus in utilizing prey biomass. Given the relatively weak numerical responses, we recommended further assessment of these predatory mites before recommending their use for managing stored-product insect pests in the United States.
捕食性螨虫表现出多种生态机制，可将害虫种群密度抑制在已知会造成经济损失的特定阈值以下。本研究探讨了捕食性螨虫，白纹伊蚊（Schrank）（Trombidiformes：Cheyletidae）和马来白纹伊蚊 Oudemans，对李比希氏无色（Pearman）（Psocodea：Liposcelididae）的数值反应。在 24±1°C、85±5RH 和 0:24（L:D）光照周期的实验室条件下，测定了这 2 种拟寄生螨对李比希氏无色若虫、成虫雄性和成虫雌性的数值反应。产卵率、产卵效率和摄入食物资源的转化率（ECI）是评估的关键数值反应参数。本研究揭示了一个普遍趋势，即白纹伊蚊和马来白纹伊蚊的产卵率与猎物密度（每 16.98cm²的猎物数量）的增加呈强烈的负相关和正相关。两种捕食性螨虫的产卵效率大多相似，且与猎物密度呈反比。一般来说，对于两种捕食者，ECI（%）随着不同猎物类型的猎物密度的增加而显著降低，然而，与白纹伊蚊相比，马来白纹伊蚊更有效地利用猎物生物量。鉴于相对较弱的数值反应，我们建议在美国推荐使用这些捕食性螨虫来管理储存产品害虫之前，进一步评估它们。
