Effect of pollen quality on the efficacy of two different life-style predatory mites against Tetranychus urticae in citrus

► Pollen or prey is required for phytoseiid establishment in citrus seedlings. ► Pollen supply did not enhance Tetranychus urticae control. ► Pollen effects depend on pollen type and phytoseiid species considered. ► Carpobrotus edulis enhances explosive increments of omnivorous phytoseiids. ► Pollen quality may explain abundance of omnivorous phytoseiids in the field.