Pollen,mould mites and fungi: improvements to mass rearing ofTyphlodromus doreenae andAmblyseius victoriensis

Populations ofTyphlodromus doreenae Schicha on 18×14 cm arenas using pollen ofTypha orientalis Presl. as food, increased from an estimated 50–150 to 1,000–1,600 motiles per arena in the presence of mould mites,Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and the fungusRhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenberg ex. Fr.) Lind.T. putrescentiae in association withR. stolonifer, developed pigmentation and were preyed on byT. doreenae which also became pigmented. UnpigmentedT. putrescentiae were not attacked byT. doreenae which remained pale coloured.T. doreenae died when supplied with the fungus alone. Bean plants dusted with pollen ofT. orientalis from a talcum powder dispenser supported a large population (7–12 stages/leaf) ofAmblyseius victoriensis (Womersley). These improvements to mass rearing ofT. doreenae andA. victoriensis are discussed with respect to their potential for commercialisation.