
Predatory mites, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, 1957 (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are very small (0.5 mm) arthropods that are considered beneficial. They are known to prey on major arthropod pests in greenhouses, especially other mites, and have a global distribution for the most part due to their use as a biological control agent (predatory action of other mite pests makes them useful). Mites have a unique life cycle compared to many insects as they pass through the egg, nymph and adults stages. The life cycle, depending on conditions, can take three to four weeks.
Classification
Phytoseiulus persimilis
Kingdom | Animalia |
Phylum | Arthropoda |
Class | Arachnida |
Order | Mesostigmata |
Family | Phytoseiidae |
Genus | Phytoseiulus |
Species | P. persimilis |
Author citation | Athias-Henriot, 1957 |
Common name | predatory mite |