The suitability of Czenspinskia transversostriata (Oudemans) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) as a factitious diet for rearing five phytoseiid predators

Having alternative prey with low maintenance costs is essential for the cost-effective rearing of phytoseiid predators in biocontrol programmes. In this study we evaluated the suitability of the plant-inhabiting fungivorous mite Czenspinskia transversostriata (Oudemans) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) as a potential factitious prey for one Type II phytoseiid species (Acari: Mesostigmata) Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), and four Type III phytoseiid species, Amblydromalus limonicus (Garman & McGregor), Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant), Amblyseius lentiginosus (Denmark & Schicha), and Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans). The dried fruit mite Carpoglyphus lactis (L.) (Acari: Carpoglyphidae) was used as diet for all predators for comparison, and an additional diet item, the dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae (Hughes) (Acari: Pyroglyphidae), was used for N. californicus only. Results showed that C. transversostriata supported positive population growth in A. herbicolus and N. cucumeris, but not in Am. limonicus, A. lentiginosus, or N. californicus. A further individual rearing suggested the possibility of C. transversostriata for the development and reproduction of Am. limonicus and A. lentiginosus, while being unsuitable for development and reproduction in N. californicus. These findings demonstrate species-specific prey requirements within the generalist predator lifestyle and highlight the potential application of C. transversostriata in some phytoseiid species.