An individual-based model for the interaction of the mite Tetranychus urticae (Koch, 1836) with its predator Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor, 1954) (Acari: Tetranychidae, Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Computational simulations were used to study the population dynamics of two mites: the prey Tetranychus urticae (Koch, 1836) with its predator Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor, 1954). We adapted the Penna model to describe biological characteristics of these mites based on published experimental data. The population dynamics of each species were first considered separately and then together. The simulations attempted to verify the effects of the initial age structure and the initial predator:prey ratio on the dynamics of the predator–prey interaction at various temperatures. The results indicate that the model is able to efficiently reproduce important features related to population dynamics, such as the intrinsic growth rate, sexual ratio and life expectancy, although the latter feature not differ between males and females. In all simulations, high consumption by the predator led to the extinction of the prey population, as expected. The inundative release of large numbers of predatory mites may not be a good method for the biological control of prey.