INCIDENCE OF THE PREDATORY MITES INHABITING GRAPEVINES IN SHARKIA GOVERNORATE, EGYPT AND FUNCTIONAL RESPONSE OF Euseius metwallyi IN PREYING Tetranychus urticae (ACARI : PHYTOSEIIDAE : TETRANYCHIDAE)

A survey conducted recently in Sharkia governorate, Egypt indicated the presences of 11 species of predatory mites on grapevines. These species belong to families Phytoseiidae (8 species), Cunaxidae (one species), Cheyletidae (one species), Stigmaeidae (one species). Frequency occurrence of the collected species was discussed. A logistic regression of the proportion of prey consumed as a function of initial prey density was conducted to identify functional response types. Nonlinear least-squares regression and the random predator equation were used to estimate attack rates and handling times . Overall, adult females E. metwallyi exhibited a type 2 functional response to T. urticae. Whereas, attack rate and handling time of E. metwallyi recorded 0.10 , 0.28 and 0.07 and 0.99 , 1.47 and 4.59 when offering eggs , males , females of T. urticae, respectively. Generally, these results indicated that the predator E. metwallyi may be considered as biocontrol agent against the two-spotted spider T. urticae.