مصطفی خنامانی

Biological control is one of the most important ways that has gained tremendous interest and momentum. Howevere, before using a natural enemy in a biocontrol program, it is essential to know how effective it is. In this study, predation rates of Neoseiulus cucumeris Oudemans and Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot were determined on Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande under laboratory conditions (at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% RH., 16: 8 (L: D) h.). Total prey consumption of immature stages of A. swirskii was higher than N. cucumeris, but total consumption of male and female adult of N. cucumeris was higher than A. swirskii. In addition, the value of net predation rate (C0) of N. cucumeris (239.42 preys) was higher than the value obtained on A. swirskii (159.25 preys). However, the transformation rate (Qp) on thrips did not differ between the predators. Finite predation rate (ω) of N. cucumeris and A. swirskii was 2.422 versus 2.635 preys/predator, stable predation rate (Ψ) was 1.959 versus 2.208 preys/predator, respectively, and without any significant differences. Findings from this study will be useful in selecting appropriate agents and developing effective biocontrol programs to control western flower thrips.