EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOD ON DEVELOPMENT AND FECUNDITY OF PREDACIOUS MITE NEOSEIULUS BELLINUS WOMERSLEY (ACARI: PHYTOSEIIDAE)

Phytoseiids mites are known as cosmopolitan predators throughout the world. They have a wide range of natural foods, though preferences may be shown for certain foods on which development may be faster and egg production greater than on others. Data herein showed that Neosiulus bellinus was able to complete development and reproduce when fed on eggs of Tetranychus urticae Koch and AD-1 with a survival rate reached 90 and 60 % respectively. However, it could not survive when fed on AD-2 and AD-3 artificial diets. On the other hand, Adult female longevity of phytoseiid mite N. bellinus was found to be longer when fed on eggs of spider mites than the experimental diet AD-1 as was the oviposotion period. Female fecundity was also greatest on eggs of spider mite. While, adult was short lived when no food source offered. Moreover, the survival rates of adult females fed AD-1 after long term maintenance10, 20, and 30 days was 35, 21 and 6 %, respectively.