We quantified the life table parameters and predation capacity of a generalist predatory mite, Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein and Arutunjan on five monotypic diets, including Tetranychus urticae Koch (TSSM) eggs in the presence (SW) and absence (SN) of webs, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (GHWF) eggs (G), honeydew (H), and maize pollen (M) as well as three mixed diets, including SN + M, SN + G, and G + M. Our results showed that the individuals fed on the mixed diets had a considerably shorter developmental time and pre-oviposition period (APOP), higher oviposition days, higher fecundity and population growth rate than those raised on the monotypic diets. Furthermore, we found that the mixed diet of TSSM and GHWF eggs was the most favorable diet, resulted in the highest fecundity and population growth rate, shortest developmental time and APOP. While TSSM eggs alone in the presence of webs and honeydew were the worst diets resulted in the longest developmental time, lower oviposition day, higher fecundity and population growth rate. Our data determined that TSSM has more nutritional benefits than GHWF for T. bagdasarjani. We observed the positive effects of pollen addition to prey on the predatory mite's immature and adult life-history characters; however, it reduced the predation rate. Overall, maize pollen could enhance ecosystem services provided against spider mites and whiteflies by positively impacting the increase of T. bagdasarjani population. This predator may be more effective when two prey species are available than when only one species is present.

Mutualistic relationships between honeydew-producing insects and ants have been widely recognized for several decades. Iridomyrmex rufoniger (Lowne) is the commonest ant species associated with black scale, Saissetia oleae (Olivier), in the citrus orchards of the mid latitudes of coastal New South Wales. Citrus trees with high densities of both red and black scale and high ant activity were identified and the results of excluding ants from half of those trees (using a polybutene band on each trunk) were compared with the results of not excluding ants from the other half. Trees with a low incidence of black scale and ants were also studied. Exclusion of ants from trees was soon followed by collapse of black scale populations because most individuals were asphyxiated by their own honeydew. Also, parasitism of the red scale by Encarsia perniciosi (Tower) and Encarsia citrina Craw was significantly higher than in the control trees over the following year, as was the predation rate on red scale due to three coccinellid predators, Halmus chalybeus (Boisduval), Rhyzobius hirtellus Crotch and Rhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell). In contrast, another coccinellid, Orcus australasiae (Boisduval), and a noctuid moth larva, Mataeomera dubia Butler, were seen in low numbers on banded (ant exclusion) trees, probably because of the low availability of their black scale prey, but were significantly higher on control trees apparently because of their invulnerability to ants.

Semi-quantitative biochemical analyses by paper chromatography–densitometry and pH determinations of honeydew excreted by Nephotettix virescens (Distant) feeding on rice plants revealed higher free amino compound and sugar concentrations in honeydew excreted on the susceptible variety TN1 than on resistant ASD7 or P203. Furthermore, sap exudates from these three varieties, presumed to be mainly from xylem, as well as honeydew excreted on the resistant varieties were acidic, whereas honeydew from TN1 was predominantly basic. Since phloem sap in herbaceous plants usually gives an alkaline reaction whereas xylem sap is acidic, and because the former contains much higher concentrations of sugars and free amino acids than the latter, the biochemical evidence strongly suggests that Nephotettix virescens is primarily a xylem feeder on the resistant plants tested, but feeds predominantly on phloem sap in susceptible TNI.

This paper includes a description of the internal reproductive system of the female sorghum shootfly, Atherigona saccata, as well as studies on egg maturation and survival, and effects of mating and/or presence of the male on egg maturation, fecundity and fertility. The number of ovarioles per female ranged from 20 to 47. A. seccata exhibits autogeny, but carbohydrate is essential for egg production and survival. Nutritional deficiency led to a high incidence of oocyte resorption. A mixture of baker's yeast and sugar was a better adult food than brewer's yeast and glucose. Sorghum (cereal) aphid honeydew was a nutritious adult food. Shootflies provided with sorghum aphid honeydew showed an acceleration of vitellogenesis, a decrease in the frequency of oocyte resorption and a shortening of the preoviposition period. Egg maturation does not seem to be influenced directly by mating or by the presence of males. The continuous presence of the male also has no significant effect on fecundity. Shootfly females seem to mate only once and this single mating ensures fertilization of eggs laid even long after mating.