Watson, D.M., Du, T.Y., Li, M., Xiong, J.J., Liu, D.G., Hountondji, F.C.C., Rae, D.J., & Beattie, G.A.C. 2000a Functional responses of, and mutual interference in Aleurodothrips fasciapennis (Franklin) (Thysanoptera: Phlaeothripidae) and implications for its use as a biocontrol agent.. General and Applied Entomology 29: 31-37.

Notes: The functional responses of the first instar and adult female Aleurodothrips fasciapennis to different species (mainly Chrysomphalus aonidum Linnaeus) and developmental stages (egg, crawler, second instar and adult female) of diaspidid scales were compared in the laboratory. The aim was to gain some insights as to the prey preferences and of age-related differences in the predatory behaviour of A. fasciapennis. The effect of predator density on the killing efficiency of adult female thrips was also determined to assess indirectly if mutual interference occurred. First instar and adult female A. fasciapennis were ineffective predators of second instar and adult female C. aonidum but effective predators of scale eggs and crawlers. Prey handling time (Th), estimated using the random predator equation, was lower on egg than on crawler prey because crawlers are mobile and so more difficult to handle than eggs. First instar A. fasciapennis were more effective predators of crawlers than were adult females but adult females were more effective egg predators. This could be because first instar thrips moved faster and were more responsive to interference from prey than adult females. Mutual interference among adult females was evident with the decline in their killing efficiency with increasing predator density. Two implications of our results for the use of A. fasciapennis as a biocontrol of diaspidid pests on Australian citrus are discussed. These are the consequences of mutual interference for mass rearing A. fasciapennis, and the potential lack of direct host competition between established biocontrol agents and A. fasciapennis and how, therefore, A. fasciapennis may be a useful complement to existing biocontrol.