Diet optimization for rearing Transeius montdorensis predatory mites under laboratory conditions

The predatory mite Transeius montdorensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a biological control agent against a range of insect pests like thrips, whiteflies, broad mites and russet mites across protected crops. Optimizing diet for rearing T. montdorensis under laboratory conditions is crucial for improving their application in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. Here, we evaluated the development and reproduction of T. montdorensis when fed on four different diets, including cattail pollen (Typha latifolia), living dried fruit mites (Carpoglyphus lactis), frozen C. lactis eggs, and a mixed diet of frozen C. lactis eggs and T. latifolia pollen. Females consuming the mixed diet exhibited highest fecundity, daily oviposition rate, intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) and net productive rate (R₀). The immature period was significantly longer for mites on a diet of living C. lactis compared to other diets. Importantly, utilizing frozen C. lactis eggs and T. latifolia pollen mitigates the risk of mite infestation and contamination associated with using living C. lactis, which can infest laboratory cultures and field applications. Our findings present a diet-optimized rearing method for predatory mites under laboratory conditions and suggest potential broader applications for enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of biological control strategies and reducing dependency on chemical pesticides.