Biological aspects, life table parameters, predation capacity and release of the predatory mite, Kleemannia kosi El-Badry, Nasr & Hafez (Mesostigmata: Ameroseiidae) for controlling three garlic (Allium sativum L.) pests

Biological aspects and life table parameters of the mesostigmatid mite, Kleemannia kosi El-Badry, Nasr & Hafez (Family: Ameroseiidae) were investigated at 25±2°C and 70±5% RH on three prey types (Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and Delia antiqua (Meigen)). The bulb mite, Rhizoglyphus echinopus was the most favorable food for this predator females as it gave the highest reproduction rate of 128 eggs/female followed by T. putrescentiae (119.5 eggs/female) and D. antiqua (88.8 eggs/female). The maximum net reproductive rate (Ro) occurred on R. echinopus recorded 92.15 individuals/generation, followed by 82.08 individuals/ generation on T. putrescentiae, while the lowest value was for D. antique (45.19 individuals/generation). Gross reproduction rate (GRR) was higher on R. echinopus (106 eggs/female/generation) and lower (58.6 eggs/female/generation) on D. antiqua. Females and males consumed a higher number of R. echinopus (342.0 and 265.5) individuals during life span than other diets. This is the first report revealing mass production and release of Ameroseiidae. Early release of the predator, K. kosi for controlling mite and insect pests on garlic (Allium sativum L., Amaryllidaceae) in field trial resulted in reducing the three pests significantly. Evaluation of crop loss due to infestation with those pests revealed a yield loss of 27.89 to 29.56% in unreleased plots compared with released one (40.58 and 41.55 kg/10 m 2 ) for 50 and 100 predators/m 2 , respectively. The release of the predatory mite decreases the garlic pests that resulting in crop production increases.