Implications of Temperature and Prey Density on Predatory Mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Functional Responses.

Simple Summary: Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is one of the most potent predaceous mites in biological pest management, feeding on phytophagous mites, pollens, and plant exudates. Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), a global mite, infects many field crops, fruit orchards, and ornamental plants by reducing photosynthesis and feeding on plant cells. This study reveals that the functional response estimates of A. swirskii vary with temperature (14, 18, 22, 26, 30, and 34 ± 1 °C) and prey density. We found that the highest searching efficiency was at 26 °C and that the lowest was at 14 °C. The handling time for each prey item also varies with temperature and prey density. The functional response curves align with the type II functional response model, showing the inverse dependence of temperature and prey density. The predation curves for A. swirskii show a significant difference in the mean numbers of T. urticae consumed at different prey densities and temperatures. This study highlights the relationship between A. swirskii and T. urticae and the importance of temperature and prey density in natural enemies' activities. The findings can help predict A. swirskii behavior and its effectiveness in controlling T. urticae populations. Amblyseius swirskii are predaceous mites that feed on phytophagous mites, pollens, and plant exudates and are known as one of the most potent biological pest management agents. Tetranychus urticae is a global mite that is difficult to manage because of its high population growth rates, necessitating alternative management measures like biological control. Regarding the functional response, the effects of temperature and prey density are some of the essential behaviors of natural enemies. This study investigates the effect of varying temperatures and prey densities on A. swirskii, a biological control agent for T. urticae. The present results demonstrated the change in the functional response estimates when A. swirskii was reared at various temperatures and different prey densities. The results of the estimates regarding the searching efficiency (a′) showed the highest value (a′ = 0.919) at 26 °C and the lowest value (a′ = 0.751) at 14 °C. The handling time per prey item (Th) for the predatory mites changed with the temperature and prey density, showing the shortest handling time at 26 °C (Th = 0.005) and the highest value at 14 °C (Th = 0.015). The functional response curves matched the type II functional response model, demonstrating the inverse dependence of temperatures and prey density with a positive quadratic coefficient. The predation curves for A. swirskii showed a significant difference between the mean numbers of T. urticae consumed at various prey densities and temperatures, illustrating a relationship between A. swirskii and T. urticae. Therefore, the results of this research may be utilized to forecast the behavior of A. swirskii and its usefulness in controlling T. urticae populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]