Feeding preference of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) towards untreated and Beauveria bassiana-treated Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on cucumber leaves

Determination of the host preference of predatory mites when receiving signals related to eitheruntreated and beauveria bassiana-treated tetranychus urticae (acari: tetranychidae) is important in predicting the predatory mite’s reaction when encountering pathogens due to theircoincident presence in greenhouses and fields. here, we have studied the preference of femalepredatory mite, phytoseiulus persimilis athias-henriot (acari: phytoseiidae)when choosingbetween untreated and b. bassiana-treated t. urticae (72 hours after treatment of spider mite byfungus) on leaves. this investigation showed a highly significant preference of p. persimilistowards untreated t. urticae (p < 0.0001). we concluded that the predatory mite is capable torecognize fungus-treated prey and prefers to prey on the uninfected ones. this suggests that thepredatory mite and the fungus may be compatible agents of biological control.