Host plant suitability for the biological performance of Tetranychus urticae Koch and its predator, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot

The life table parameters provide the most extensive information on the biological features of pests and natural enemies, facilitating the potential employment of biological agents in pest management programs. This study investigated how cucumber, strawberry, eggplant, and tomato plants influence the reproduction and life-table parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch and its predator, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot under laboratory conditions. It also explored the relationship between these parameters and leaf trichome density and the levels of polyphenol compounds. The mites’ biological properties varied based on the morphological and chemical differences in host plant leaves. Both T. urticae and P. persimilis exhibited higher development and reproduction rates on strawberry and cucumber leaves compared to eggplant and tomato plants. Eggplant leaves had the highest polyphenol content (3826.99 mg/kg), followed by tomato leaves (2406.86 mg/kg). The lowest total amount of polyphenol compounds was (704.34 mg/kg) and (273.743 mg/kg) in strawberry and cucumber leaves, respectively. The life table parameters of P. persimilis significantly differed when it fed on T. urticae that had been reared on strawberry, cucumber, eggplant, and tomato leaves. Overall, the results showed that the net (R₀) and gross (GRR) reproductive rates were reduced when the predator preyed T. urticae that had been reared on eggplant and tomato leaves. Consequently, the intrinsic (r_m) and finite (λ) rates of increase were affected. As a result, the performance of P. persimilis was negatively affected on these plants. The availability of information on the biological performance of P. persimilis is necessary for promoting biological control implementation.