''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.

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.

Distribution

This species has been found in the United States (

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

), 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 ''Tetranychus urticae'' (common names include red spider mite and two-spotted spider mite) is a species of plant-feeding mite generally considered to be a pest. It is the most widely known member of the family Tetranychidae or spider mites. It ...

''), cyclamen mite ('' Phytonemus pallidus''), '' Oligonychus perseae'',

Thrips Thrips (Order (biology) , order Thysanoptera) are minute (mostly long or less), slender insects with fringed wings and unique asymmetrical mouthparts. Entomologists have species description , described approximately 7,700 species. They fly on ...

and other small insects.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q4045217 Phytoseiidae Animals described in 1954