Lasioseius fimetorum: a soil-dwelling predator of glasshouse pests ?

Female lifespan and reproduction, in terms of number of larvae produced, of the soil-dwelling predatory mite Lasioseius fimetorum Karg (Acari: Podocin idae) fed on mould mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae [Schrank] [Acarina: Acar idae]) were investigated by laboratory experiments at 20 degrees C, as were the mite's consumption rates of various prey. After a preoviposition perio d of 10.7 days, L. fimetorum produced progeny at a daily rate of 0.7. The o viposition period lasted 23.6 days and a total of 19.4 progeny were produce d per female. Females lived for 38.6 days. Eggs of the Collembola Isotomuru s spp. (Collembola: Isotomidae) were consumed in the largest amount by L. f imetorum followed by mould mite nymphs, larvae and pupae of thrips (Frankli niella occidentalis [Pergande] [Thysanoptera: Thripidae]), eggs of the Coll embola Micrisotoma spp. (Collembola: Isotomidae), Isotomurus spp. nymphs an d sciarid larvae (Bradysia paupera Tuomikoski and B. tritici (Coquillet) [D iptera: Sciaridae]). Immature drain flies (Psychoda spp. [Diptera: Psychodi dae]) were not consumed by L. fimetorum. The suitability of L. fimetorum fo r biological control of glasshouse pests with soil-dwelling stages is discu ssed in comparison with another predatory mite Hypoaspis miles Berlese (Aca rina: Hypoaspididae).