Distribution of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)and Its Prey, Thrips palmi (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) within Eggplants in South Florida

Abstract

The distribution of the predacious mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) and its prey, Thrips palmi Karny, was studied in eggplant plots in Homestead, Florida. Neoseiulus cucumeris was more abundant on fruits (X = 3.39 ± 0.20) than on leaves (X = 0.95 ± 0.16) and it was not found in the flowers. Thrips palmi was more abundant on the leaves (X = 17.97 ± 5.07) than on the fruits (X = 3.22 ± 0.70) and flowers (X = 0.93 ± 0.03). Predacious mite populations on the fruits and leaves increased with T. palmi populations increase. Both predator and prey populations were low on the youngest leaf (X predator = 0.00 ± 0.00; X prey = 1.75 ± 0.28) and high on the oldest leaf (X predator = 1.92 ± 0.79; X prey = 50.83 ± 11.64). Neoseiulus cucumeris and T. palmi were more abundant on the adaxial surface of the leaf (X N. cucumeris = 1.58 ± 0.56; X T. palmi = 42.77 ± 8.29). Predators aggregated mostly on the adaxial base of the midrib vein. The fourth leaf is recommended for population sampling studies because the predators aggregate at the base of the adaxial midrib and T. palmi population levels are not extreme on that leaf.