Prey Preference of Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) When Offered Two Strawberry Pests, Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Mites and thrips often infest strawberry crops across the globe, with devastating outcomes for growers. In fact, <i>Tetranychus urticae</i> Koch and <i>Scirtothrips dorsalis</i> Hood are major pests of strawberries in Florida, USA, often infesting plants at the same time. Chemical control is ineffective because both pests have developed resistance to many pesticides; therefore, many growers are presently utilizing predatory mites. Currently, <i>Amblyseius swirskii</i> Anthis-Henriot is released for <i>S. dorsalis</i> and <i>Phytoseiulus persimilis</i> Athias-Henriot for <i>T. urticae,</i> but this dual-release strategy is costly and can reduce effectiveness since <i>A. swirskii</i> can prey on <i>P. persimilis</i>. This study evaluated whether <i>Neoseiulus californicus</i> (McGregor) could provide a single practical alternative for managing both pests. We assessed its feeding preference in laboratory using no-choice and choice tests where an adult predator was offered different life stages of <i>T. urticae</i> and larvae of <i>S. dorsalis</i>. Results showed that in no-choice tests, <i>N. californicus</i> consumed more <i>T. urticae</i> eggs compared to <i>T. urticae</i> adults. Also, <i>S. dorsalis</i> larvae and <i>T. urticae</i> deutonymphs were consumed in similar proportions. In choice tests, feeding shifted toward mobile prey with higher consumption of <i>S. dorsalis</i> larvae and <i>T. urticae</i> deutonymphs and adults. These results demonstrate that <i>N. californicus</i> is a flexible predator with potential to control both pests and should be investigated further for its potential as a cost-effective tool in strawberry pest management.