The morphology and predatory behavior of the mite Neoseiulus bicaudus
Author of the article:WANG Zhen-Hui1** LI Yong-Tao1 LI Ting1 LU Yan-Hui2 ZHANG Jian-Ping1*** XU Xue-Nong2***
Author's Workplace：College of Agricultural, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China; 2. State Key Laboratory for Biology Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
Key Words：Neoseiulus bicaudus, morphological characteristics, biological characteristics, predation capability
Abstract：[Objectives] To provide a theoretical basis for the protection, breeding and release of the native predatory mite N. bicaudus. [Methods] A microscopic imaging system was used to observe the biological and morphological characteristics of different developmental stages of N. bicaudus, and the quantity cell feeding technique was used to test its predatory ability with respect to two species of pest mites under conditions of (26±1)℃、RH60%、16L︰8D in a laboratory. [Results] N. bicaudus had five developmental stages; egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult. N. bicaudus preferred shade and had a small range of activity. They propagated their species by sexual reproduction and mated multiple times. The eggs were laid singly. Predation on the eggs and larvae of T. truncatus (106.8 grain/day•female and 45.4 head/day•female) was higher than on those of T. turkestani (64.4 grain/day•female and 39.4 head/day•female); but there were no significant differences in predation on the nymphs and adults of these species. [Conclusion] N. bicaudus preys more on the eggs and larvae of T. turkestani and T. truncatus than on nymphs and adults, and has the potential to control these pest mites in Xinjiang.