S. Ragusa, E. Swirski. 1975. Feeding habits, development and oviposition of the predacious mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acarina: Phytoseiidae) on pollen of various weeds. Israel Journal of Entomology 10: 93-103.

Abstract: Since removal of weeds by herbicides is common in citrus groves in Israel, the possible value of the pollen of 18 species of weeds as a source of food for a useful mite predator of citrus pests, Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot, was investigated in the laboratory. In terms of mite survival, development and fecundity, the pollens of greatest nutritional value appeared to be those of Carpobrotus edulis, Stellaria media, Sonchus oleraceus, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Raphanus raphanistrum, Sinapis arvensis, Euphorbiasp., Mercurialis annua, Lamium amplexicaule and Oxalis cernua; 6 other species permitted survival at least for a time. Since pollen-feeding tends to increase the reproductive rate in Amblyseius but does not cause rejection of mite or insect prey when this becomes available, it is concluded that the presence of weeds and their pollen in citrus groves may permit the build-up of Amblyseius populations and increase their effectiveness as predators when pests become numerous.