''Phytoseiulus'' is a genus of
mites in the
Phytoseiidae
The Phytoseiidae are a family (biology), family of mites which feed on thrips and other mite species. They are often used as a biological control agent for managing mite pests. Because of their usefulness as biological control agents, interest in ...
family.
A predatory mite, this is the mite predator most frequently used to control
two-spotted spider mites
''Tetranychus urticae'' (common names include red spider mite and two-spotted spider mite) is a species of plant-feeding mite generally considered to be a pest (animal), pest. It is the most widely known member of the family Tetranychidae or spi ...
in greenhouses and outdoor crops grown in mild environments. This mite was accidentally introduced into
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
from
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in the western part of South America. It is the southernmost country in the world, and the closest to Antarctica, occupying a long and narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east a ...
in 1958; it was subsequently shipped to other parts of the world, including California and Florida, from Germany. A ''Phytoseiulus'' mite can consume up to seven adult spider mites or several dozen of their eggs in a day.
Adult females are reddish, pear-shaped, about long, and active at room temperature. Immatures and males are smaller and lighter in color. Eggs are oblong. About 80% are females. At optimum temperatures, Phytoseiidae can develop from egg to adult in seven days and live up to a month. A well-fed female lays about 50 eggs in her lifetime.
Environment
Ideal temperature range is with relative humidity of 70–80% inside the plant canopy. Minimum temperature for activity is . This predator does best when humidity is 60% or higher with a temperature range of .
Biology
typical values @
*sex ratio: four females/male
*average eggs laid per day: 2.4
*lifespan: 30–36 days - days from egg to adult: 7.5
*average eggs per female: 54
*population increase = 44 x in generation time of 17 days
*prey consumed per day: 7 adults, 20 immatures or 25 eggs
Species
The genus ''Phytoseiulus'' contains these species:
* ''Phytoseiulus fragariae''
Denmark & Schicha, 1983
* ''Phytoseiulus longipes''
Evans, 1958
* ''Phytoseiulus macropilis''
(Banks, 1904)
* ''Phytoseiulus persimilis''
Athias-Henriot, 1957 ynonymy: ''Phytoseiulus riegeli'' Dosse, 1958; ''Phytoseiulus tardi'' (Lombardini, 1959)* ''Phytoseiulus robertsi''
(Baker, 1990)
References
External links
*http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/
*http://www.biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu/predators/Phytoseiulus.php
Phytoseiidae
{{Phytoseiidae-stub
nl:Phytoseiulus persimilis
ja:チリカブリダニ
fi:Ansaripetopunkki