Short-term influences of post-maturity diet switching on prey consumption and oviposition in the biocontrol agent Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Acari: Laelapidae)

Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Womersley) (Acari: Laelapidae) is a generalist predatory mite widely used in biological control due to its effectiveness against various soil-dwelling pests. Optimising rearing methods for S. scimitus is essential to enhance its efficacy and cost-effectiveness as a biocontrol agent. The moth Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and mould mite Tyrophagus curvipenis Fain & Fauvel (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae) are pests of stored products but are also used in the rearing of arthropod predators. This study investigates the impact of diet switching on the short-term performance of S. scimitus adults when transitioning between these two factitious prey: E. kuehniella eggs and T. curvipenis adults. Prey consumption and oviposition were measured across three diet regimes: continuous feeding on E. kuehniella eggs, continuous feeding on T. curvipenis, and switching diet between the two prey species. The results indicated that diet switching significantly reduced both prey consumption and oviposition compared to a consistent diet, highlighting the importance of diet history in the practical application of S. scimitus for pest management. This study underscores the need for careful consideration of diet transitions between rearing conditions and releasing in the field to maintain the predator’s efficacy in biological control programmes.