Biocontrol Potential of Androlaelaps casalis Against Two Key Phytoparasitic Nematodes: Tylenchulus semipenetrans and Meloidogyne incognita

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a significant agricultural challenge, causing extensive damage to most essential crops globally. Predatory soil mites play a significant role as biocontrol agents against plant-parasitic nematodes and other pests in the soil ecosystem. A laboratory trial was conducted to evaluate the potential of the soil-dwelling predatory mite, Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese), to suppress the citrus nematode, Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb, and the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White). Our findings show that the predatory mite, A. casalis, completed development, oviposition, and survival when fed on second-stage juveniles of both T. semipenetrans (Ts-J2) and M. incognita (Mi-J2) and egg mass of M. incognita (Mi-EM) as prey in the lab in closed arenas at 30 °C, 55% RH. Survivorship was lower on (Mi-EM) than on (Ts-J2) and (Mi-J2). Individuals of A. casalis reared on (Ts-J2) and (Mi-J2) prey demonstrated enhanced performance as compared to (Mi-EM) prey. In addition, females laid a total of 48.72, 46.50, and 12.45 eggs on the three types of prey, respectively. Life table parameters showed that feeding of A. casalis on (Ts-J2) and (Mi-J2) led to the greatest intrinsic rate of increase per day (rm = 0.286 and 0.279 females/female/day), while preying on (Mi-EM) offered the lowest reproduction rate (rm = 0.092). In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into the biology and predatory performance of A. casalis under controlled laboratory conditions, providing foundational evidence that may inform the development of future sustainable nematode management strategies.