Biological Control ofPanonychus ulmi(Acarina:Tetranychidae) byAmblyseius fallacis(Acarina:Phytoseiidae) on Apple: a Prey-Predator Model1

Abstract

A discrete-time, population model describing biological control of the spider mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), by the phytoseiid mite, Amblyseius fallacis (Garman) on apple is described. Discussed are features of development, consumption, oviposition, mortality and dispersal for each species. Also included is a spatial component for within tree variation in population densities which is used to compute stochastic features of encounter and consumption. Validations of the model with field derived data are presented.