Abstract

GUANILO, Alberto Daniel  and  MARTINEZ, Norberta. Biology and behavior of Amblyseius chungas Denmark & Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) as a predator of Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae). Ecol. apl. [online]. 2009, vol.8, n.1-2, pp.15-25. ISSN 1726-2216.

Panonychus citri (McGregor) is an important citrus pest in the central coast of Peru. Amblyseius chungas Denmark & Muma was the most frequent and abundant predatory mite during some surveys for natural enemies against P. citri in that region. We studied the duration of P. citri by immature stages of A. chungas and analyzed its predatory behavior when female adults of A. chungas were fed with P. citri nymphs and adults. The experiments were carried out in the laboratory (20-25ºC and 70-80 % RH). Development time from egg to adult was 6.60 ± 0.57 days in females and 6.46 ± 0.44 days in males. Female adults of A. chungas fed with different densities of adults and/or nymphs of P. citri showed a functional response type II according with the classification proposed by Holling. Oviposition of A. chungas ranged from 1 to 3 eggs/day.

Keywords : Predation; functional response; citrus red mite; Tetranychidae; predatory mite; Phytoseiidae; citrus; Peru.

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