What is the preferred prey of the different Amblyseius spp?
Amblyseius cucumeris: Ist instar thrips juveniles and in the absence of thrips it will prey on spider mites and feed on pollen. Amblyseius swirski: Does best when both thrips and whitefly are present at the same time but reproduces slowly if only one pest is present; Amblyseius californicus: spider mites in hotter dry conditions than Phytoseiulus prefers; Amblyseius montdorensis: preys well on spider mites, thrips and whitefly but prefers higher humidity than A. californicus. Is the only Amblyseius to eat 2nd instar thrips and eats more whitefly, thrips or spider mites per day than the other Amblyseius spp.