Simulation of the interactions of predatoryTyphlodromus mites with the European red mite,Panonychus ulmi (Koch)

Interactions of Typhlodromus mites and their prey, the European red mite, in orchard settings were examined through computer simulation. In particular, the consequences of very slow dispersal by the predators, compared with the weather-dependent higher rates of prey dispersal, were elucidated. In simulations of the interactions of the predator and its prey, both dispersal and temperature strongly affected the available supply of juvenile prey, and thus could determine whether the predators on an individual tree survived or perished.