Effect of different diets on postembryonic development and longevity of Euseius fructicolus (Gonzalez & Schuster) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at laboratory conditions

Euseius fructicolus (Gonzalez & Schuster) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) colonizes ‘Hass’ avocado (Persea americana Mill.) trees infested by Oligonychus yothersi (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae). It is commonly found in the domatia on the underside of avocado leaves. Also, it is classified as a generalist predatory mite that consumes pollen. However, there are no published records of its biology. In the present study, the effect of four diets on postembryonic development and longevity of E. fructicolus was evaluated. The results indicate that E. fructicolus completed its development from egg-to-adult in 8.10±2.74 days when fed ‘Hass’ avocado pollen, and exhibited an average longevity of 9.40±3.12 days. In contrast, when provided with prey (protonymphs and deutonymphs of O. yothersi), hairy brassica (Hirschfeldia incana (L.) Lagr.-Foss.) pollen, and water, the phytoseiids died during the larval or deutonymph stage. Therefore, E. fructicolus is closely associated with the ‘Hass’ avocado agroecosystem. Its dietary versatility indicates its potential as a suitable generalist predator for controlling phytophagous mites in agroecological avocado production systems.