Neoseiulus californicus

Neoseiulus californicus is a predatory mite that feeds on Tetranychid mites. This species was first described on lemons from California under the name Typhlodromus californicus in 1954.^[1]

Neoseiulus californicus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Mesostigmata
Family:	Phytoseiidae
Genus:	Neoseiulus
Species:	N. californicus
Binomial name
Neoseiulus californicus McGregor, 1954
Synonyms
Neoseiulus chilenensis (Dosse) Typhlodromus californicus McGregor Amblyseius californicus

Description

The mite 0.04 mm long is pinkish red to pale white color with six legs. Males are smaller than females. The larvae are translucent. Females lay 2-4 eggs a day. Eggs take 1.5–4 days to hatch depending on temperatures. The adult female mites have the strongest ability to endure starvation, with an average survival time of about 8.16 days on just water while maintaining the ability to lay eggs, although in fewer quantities.^[2]

Distribution

This species has been found in the United States (California, Texas, Florida), Chile, Argentina, Japan, South Africa, parts of southern Europe, and all along the border of the Mediterranean Sea on fruit and vegetable crops.

Pest control

Neoseiulus californicus is used to control the twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae),^[3] cyclamen mite (Phytonemus pallidus), Oligonychus perseae, Thrips and other small insects.