The association between the exotic species Raoiella indica Hirst and the predator Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) may cause displacement of the native species Oligonychus pratensis (Banks)

Introduced herbivores often alter predator–prey dynamics between native organisms. We investigated whether the exotic mite Raoiella indica can interfere in the predation relationships between the predator Amblyseius largoensis and the native herbivorous mite Oligonychus pratensis and be favored as a result. Populations of A. largoensis were established in laboratory, one reared with exotic prey and another with native prey. For each population, of A. largoensis were evaluated for: egg-to-adult developmental time, oviposition rate, and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of females. Also, to observe the interaction with prey, behavioral tests were conducted, evaluating the time to the first attack, oviposition site preference, and prey preference consumption. Regardless of prey offered, there was no prey effect on immature developmental time or female oviposition rate. However, A. largoensis showed superior FCE feed on exotic (11.4