The predatory adaptation of Neoseiulus bicaudus (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) toward prey switching

Predatory mites transitioning from mass-rearing to field release undergo critical prey switching from rearing hosts to target pests. Understanding temporal adaptation of predatory capacity postswitching is essential for biological control optimization. This study examines how prey switching duration affects predatory performance in Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) following from Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) to Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov et Nikolskii (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae). The predatory adaptation of female N. bicaudus was assessed during 0 to 7 days postprey switching through integrated approaches: Y-tube olfactometry quantified olfactory responses to T. turkestani, predatory choice tests evaluated feeding preference shifts, Holling type II functional response modeling analyzed predation capacity changes, and field releases on soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr. validated biological control efficacy against T. turkestani. Prey switching enhanced N. bicaudus adaptation to T. turkestani. Olfactory preference increased steadily, with significant shifts by Day 3, peaking at 73.33% by Day 6. Feeding preference shifted from avoidance (D = -0.39, D: prey selectivity index) to strong attraction (D = 0.94), stabilizing >0.9 after Day 4. Though functional response remained Holling Type II, key parameters optimized at Day 4: minimal handling time (Th = 0.04 days), daily maximum predation (1/Th = 26.25), and predation capacity (a/Th = 21.18, where a is attack rate). Field validation showed that the suppressive effect of N. bicaudus (which had experienced prey-switching) on T. turkestani could be enhanced by up to 73.44%. Neoseiulus bicaudus progressively enhances olfactory preference, feeding preference, and predatory capacity toward target prey following prey switching. Implementing this preadaptive strategy significantly improves the mite's field control efficacy against spider mites.