Abstract
The predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii is widely used as a biological control agent against phloem-feeding pests in vegetable production. However, its mass rearing is constrained by the lack of standardized and cost-effective artificial diets (ADs). In this study, the effects of various AD compositions on the development and viability of A. swirskii were assessed at lab-scale. A basal diet was supplemented with eggs of Sitotroga cerealella, Galleria mellonella, Tetranychus turkestani, and decapsulated Artemia salina cysts. The feeder mite Carpoglyphus lactis served as a control. Developmental duration, survival, adult longevity, feeding intensity, and fertility were evaluated. The shortest pre-imaginal development (2.9 ± 0.1 days) and highest survival (78%) were observed on S. cerealella eggs, while the longest adult lifespan (10.5 ± 0.3 days) and weakest survival (38%) occurred with A. salina. In contrast, G. mellonella eggs proved to be the least suitable, resulting in minimal survival and reproduction. Study findings support S. cerealella and A. salina as promising AD components, with further optimization needed for improving reproductive output.