Effect of temperature on functional response of Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae) preying on the acarid mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae

Climate warming significantly impacts soil temperature and moisture, leading to changes in the activity of soil mites and the foraging behaviour of edaphic predatory mites. The current research aimed to investigate the effect of temperature on the functional response of the predatory soil mite Blattisocius mali Oudemans preying on either eggs or males of the mould mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae Schrank. To analyze the functional response type, the generalized functional response equation of Real was used while the functional response parameters were determined using Roger, Hassell, and Cabello et al. models. Female adult B. mali displayed Type III and Type II functional responses when preying on eggs and males, respectively across all tested temperatures, ranging between 10 °C and 35 °C. The handling time of B. mali was shorter at higher temperatures, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C when preying on either eggs or males. In contrast, the potential for prey mortality, the attack rate, and the functional response ratio were higher at higher temperatures indicating higher efficiency of B. mali at higher temperatures. The temperature strongly impacted predators' efficiency, as accelerated predator action under warming increased prey consumption. However, functional response type did not change with warmer temperatures but varied with changing prey stages from egg to male.