Prey preference of the phytoseiid mite Typhlodromus pyri. 2. Electrophoretic diet analysis.

The prey selection of the phytoseiid miteTyphlodromus pyri Scheuten was studied by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to analyse the diet of field-collected predators. The predators were obtained from an orchard where the phytophagous prey mitesPanonychus ulmi (Koch) andAculus schlechtendali (Nalepa) were present in various density ratios. Esterases of both prey species were identified in the predators, but on all sampling datesP. ulmi esterases were discovered much more frequently than those ofA. schlechtendali. The data show thatT. pyri hardly fed onA. schlechtendali over a range of prey density ratios. It is therefore concluded thatT. pyri prefersP. ulmi toA. schlechtendali.