Suitability of date palm pollen as an alternative food source for the predatory mite Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski & Amitai) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at a low relative humidity

The nutritional suitability of date palm pollen for the predatory mite Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski & Amitai) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was tested by assessing the development and life table parameters of the predator at two relative humidity levels, 35 and 60 % RH, at 30 degrees C in the laboratory. C. negevi successfully developed and reproduced when fed on a fresh date palm pollen diet at both humidity levels. However, at 35 % RH, the incubation period and development of immatures were significantly longer, female longevity and fecundity significantly decreased, and all life table parameter values were negatively affected. The results obtained in this study were compared with those of some previously published studies in the same field. The date palm pollen could be a suitable food source for the mass production of C. negevi. Moreover, the successful reproduction and development of C. negevi fed date palm pollen at low RH (35%) makes it a good alternate food source in the field to conserve the population of the predator under local arid environmental conditions.