Abstract
The mite family Phytoseiidae contains predatory species used in biological control. However, among the 2,521 valid species, only a few are presently considered for pest management. The study focuses on a species, frequently observed in agrosystems, but whose biology is almost totally unknown: Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) recki. The objectives were to assess its distribution and to determine under laboratory conditions: (i) the development of three populations fed on three tomato pests (Tetranychus urticae, T. evansi, Aculops lycopersici), (ii) the dispersion along the tomato stem, and (iii) the dispersion from mint to infested tomato leaf discs. Based on its distribution, this species seems to be adapted to Mediterranean climate, and is preferentially found on Boraginaceae, Solanaceae, Asteraceae and Lamiaceae. Results show that T. (A.) recki is a generalist predator, with good performance regarding the number of prey consumed. Differences were observed between the populations considered; one population out of the three tested shows even a higher mean consumption of T. urticae than that recorded for Neoseiulus californicus and N. cucumeris. It is attracted by food source and is able to walk along the tomato stem. These results are encouraging enough to consider T. (A.) recki as a good natural enemy candidate for biological control (especially based on biodiversity conservation). Further experiments should be developed to test the predatory ability of this species at larger scale (entire tomato plants and tomato fields or greenhouses).