Functional response and predation rate of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at three constant temperatures

Functional response and predation rate of amblyseius swirskii (athias-henriot) on eggs of tetranychus urticae koch were determined on strawberry under laboratory conditions (70 ± 10% r.h. and 16l:8d h) and three constant temperatures of 25, 30 and 35°c. the type of functional response was affected by temperature. type iii functional response was determined for adult female of a. swirskii at 25°c, whereas type ii was observed at 30 and 35°c. the longest handling time (th) (0.6 ± 0.005) was observed at 25°c and the shortest handling time (0.46 ± 0.003) and higher attack rate (a) (0.56 ± 0.054) were observed at 35°c. handling time (th) decreased from 25 to 35°c. temperature had a significant effect on the daily and total predation rates of each different stages: the predation rate increased from larva to adult and with temperature from 25 to 35°c, and the maximal value being reached at 35°c. the maximal predation capacity of female was about 40 eggs per day per females at 35°c. the results of this study showed the effect of temperature on functional response and predation rate of a. swirskii.