Predation by Tapinoma melanocephalum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) on Twospotted Spider Mites (Acari: Tetranychidae) in Florida Greenhouses

Natural infestations of Tapinoma melanocephalum, (Fab.) found in central Florida greenhouses were observed attacking Tetranychus urticae Koch in test evaluations of two chemicals. Subsequent laboratory tests using isolated leaf discs, greenhouse data, and whole plants demonstrated that T. melanocephalum is a significant predator of T. urticae.