Predatory performance of two Mediterranean phytoseiid species, Typhlodromus laurentii and Typhlodromus rhenanoides fed on eggs of Panonychus citri and Tetranychus urticae

Laboratory trials were carried out to determine the predatory capacity of two endemic to the Mediterranean area phytoseiid mites Typhlodromus (Typhlodromus) laurentii Ragusa et Swirski and Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) rhenanoides Athias-Henriot (Parasitiformes Phytoseiidae) upon the eggs of the two most important tetranychids damaging Citrus orchards in Sicily: Tetranychus urticae Koch and Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acariformes Tetranychidae). The research aimed at investigating the predatory behaviour of the phytoseiids upon the prey stage considered the most vulnerable. The predation rate of the two phytoseiid species was different on the two prey eggs, both in every observation day and fo…