and decreasing predator densities, the predation rate increased (Farhadi et al. 2015).
Functional response of A. swirskii to untreated and Beauveria bassiana-infected
F. occidentalis larvae were surveyed under laboratory conditions after three intervals
past spraying. They showed time after spraying did not influence type of functional
response and at all intervals this predator exhibited type II response. However,
spraying with B. bassiana reduced attack rate and increased handling time in
24 and 36 hours treated than control (Heidarian Dehkordi et al. 2017).
Numerical response- an increase in predator numbers in response to increasing
prey densities – has been considered as an important factor affecting the number of
prey killed (Holling 1961). However, because of difficulties in doing such experiments, predators’ numerical response have rarely been studied compared to functional response. This is true for predatory mites. As a rare case, the numerical
response of A. swirskii to different developmental stages of Eotetranychus frosti
(McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) showed the suitability of first instar nymphs than
other prey stages for predator reproduction (Bazgir et al. 2019b).
The suitability of different species as prey has been investigated through life table
studies. Accordingly, the life table of A. swirskii on different prey species has been
studied and different values were reported for demographic parameters under various situations (Table 4.1). The non-hatchability process of mold mite eggs showed
this process significantly decreased the life history parameters of A. swirskii
(Pirayeshfar et al. 2017a) (Table 4.1). The life table of A. swirskii on Phyllocoptes
adalius Keifer, an important pest of roses plants, showed that A. swirskii developed
successfully on this pest species and could be used as a biological control agent
(Maroufpoor 2016). Additionally, the temperature-dependent two-sex life table of
A. swirskii was studied using dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis L. (Astigmata:
Carpoglyphidae). Hence, the intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R 0 )
and finite rate of population increase (λ) were significantly higher at 25
C than other
temperatures and the highest population growth of A. swirskii occurred at this point
(Jafari et al. 2016). Life table studies confirmed that cattail and olive pollens as
supplemental food sources increased the fecundity and intrinsic rate of increase of
A. swirskii (Pirayeshfar et al. 2017b).
The effect of different temperatures on oviposition and development showed the
highest fecundity was occurred at 25
C. Moreover, using linear and non-linear
models, temperature threshold (T 0 ) and thermal constant (K) were estimated
(Farazmand and Amir-Maafi 2019; Farazmand 2019).
Besides life table studies, the effects of different rearing beds on fecundity and
developmental time showed that mulberry leaves were the most suitable for mass
rearing of A. swirskii (Rezaie 2010b).
4.3.1.1.5 Other Phytoseiid Species
In addition to the above-mentioned species, there are scatter publications on other
less important phytoseiid species commonly published in conference proceedings.
One of the major species from this list is Phytoseius plumifer Canestrini and
152
H. Madadi and H. Kamali
Functional response of A. swirskii to untreated and Beauveria bassiana-infected
F. occidentalis larvae were surveyed under laboratory conditions after three intervals
past spraying. They showed time after spraying did not influence type of functional
response and at all intervals this predator exhibited type II response. However,
spraying with B. bassiana reduced attack rate and increased handling time in
24 and 36 hours treated than control (Heidarian Dehkordi et al. 2017).
Numerical response- an increase in predator numbers in response to increasing
prey densities – has been considered as an important factor affecting the number of
prey killed (Holling 1961). However, because of difficulties in doing such experiments, predators’ numerical response have rarely been studied compared to functional response. This is true for predatory mites. As a rare case, the numerical
response of A. swirskii to different developmental stages of Eotetranychus frosti
(McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) showed the suitability of first instar nymphs than
other prey stages for predator reproduction (Bazgir et al. 2019b).
The suitability of different species as prey has been investigated through life table
studies. Accordingly, the life table of A. swirskii on different prey species has been
studied and different values were reported for demographic parameters under various situations (Table 4.1). The non-hatchability process of mold mite eggs showed
this process significantly decreased the life history parameters of A. swirskii
(Pirayeshfar et al. 2017a) (Table 4.1). The life table of A. swirskii on Phyllocoptes
adalius Keifer, an important pest of roses plants, showed that A. swirskii developed
successfully on this pest species and could be used as a biological control agent
(Maroufpoor 2016). Additionally, the temperature-dependent two-sex life table of
A. swirskii was studied using dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis L. (Astigmata:
Carpoglyphidae). Hence, the intrinsic rate of increase (r), net reproductive rate (R 0 )
and finite rate of population increase (λ) were significantly higher at 25
C than other
temperatures and the highest population growth of A. swirskii occurred at this point
(Jafari et al. 2016). Life table studies confirmed that cattail and olive pollens as
supplemental food sources increased the fecundity and intrinsic rate of increase of
A. swirskii (Pirayeshfar et al. 2017b).
The effect of different temperatures on oviposition and development showed the
highest fecundity was occurred at 25
C. Moreover, using linear and non-linear
models, temperature threshold (T 0 ) and thermal constant (K) were estimated
(Farazmand and Amir-Maafi 2019; Farazmand 2019).
Besides life table studies, the effects of different rearing beds on fecundity and
developmental time showed that mulberry leaves were the most suitable for mass
rearing of A. swirskii (Rezaie 2010b).
4.3.1.1.5 Other Phytoseiid Species
In addition to the above-mentioned species, there are scatter publications on other
less important phytoseiid species commonly published in conference proceedings.
One of the major species from this list is Phytoseius plumifer Canestrini and
152
H. Madadi and H. Kamali