短时高温暴露处理对双尾新小绥螨Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein生长发育的影响

【目的】明确新疆本地种捕食螨双尾新小绥螨Neoseiulus bicaudus Wainstein在遇到短时极端高温胁迫后,对其生长发育和种群发展的影响。【方法】利用短时极端高温处理试验,研究双尾新小绥螨卵和成螨分别在38℃、42℃和46℃下,处理2、4和6 h后的孵化率、存活率以及对其未成熟阶段发育历期和生命参数的影响。【结果】卵经过不同时间高温处理后,随着处理温度的升高,处理时间的延长,卵的孵化率逐渐降低,46℃处理2 h的孵化率仅为42.02%,且在46℃处理超过4 h,其卵不能孵化;其各未成熟阶段发育历期有先缩短后延长的趋势,当在38℃处理2 h时,其发育历期最短为4.82 d。雌成螨经过不同时间高温处理后,雌成螨的产卵量、产卵期和寿命随着处理温度的升高、处理时间的延长有逐渐下降和缩短的趋势;42℃,2 h处理下每雌产卵量最低为19.33粒,其产卵期也是最短为10.09 d;38℃,6 h处理下寿命最短为14.68 d。【结论】短时极端高温处理主要影响双尾新小绥螨卵的孵化率、存活率降低和未成熟阶段的发育历期;影响其雌成螨的产卵量和寿命。     

短时高温暴露对土耳其斯坦叶螨和截形叶螨的影响

【目的】为了明确土耳其斯坦叶螨Tetranychus turkestani和截形叶螨T. truncatus在高温逆境下的生存特性对其种群发展的影响。【方法】通过短时高温处理试验, 研究了土耳其斯坦叶螨和截形叶螨卵、 幼螨、 成螨在38℃, 42℃和46℃下处理2～6 h后的孵化率和存活率, 以及对其后续发育历期和生殖的影响。【结果】两种叶螨的卵和幼螨在38～46℃下处理2～6 h, 其存活率随着温度和处理时间的增加而降低, 后续发育历期随着温度和处理时间的增加而延长。两种叶螨的雌成螨在38～46℃下处理2～6 h后其存活率、 产卵前期、 产卵期和产卵量均不受影响, 但所产卵的孵化率明显降低, 其中土耳其斯坦叶螨在46℃下处理6 h的孵化率下降了15.5%, 截形叶螨在46℃下处理6 h的孵化率下降了18.0%。【结论】高温暴露主要影响叶螨的孵化率、 存活率和后续的发育历期, 对成螨的寿命和生殖无显著影响; 土耳其斯坦叶螨和截形叶螨对极端高温的适应性存在差异, 土耳其斯坦叶螨对高温的适应性要高于截形叶螨。     

樟叶蜂两性生殖与孤雌生殖方式下雌虫生殖适合度及子代生活史特征的比较

【目的】樟叶蜂Mesoneura rufonota是危害樟树Cinnamonum campora的重要食叶性害虫,该虫的繁殖策略包括两性生殖和孤雌生殖两种模式。本研究旨在明确孤雌生殖在樟叶蜂生活史中的生物学意义。【方法】在室内25℃恒温条件下,测定并分析了樟叶蜂孤雌生殖和两性生殖两种生殖方式在亲代生殖适合度(雌虫寿命、产卵量和卵孵化率)和子代生活史(各虫态发育历期、死亡率、子代性比和产卵量等)特征上的差异。【结果】孤雌生殖的樟叶蜂雌虫寿命显著长于两性生殖的雌虫寿命,而雌虫产卵量和卵孵化率在两种生殖方式间均无差异。子代各虫态的发育历期和死亡率以及子代单雌产卵量在两种生殖方式间均无差异,但子代成虫性比在两种生殖方式间存在显著差异,表现为孤雌生殖大多产雄性子代,而两性生殖大多产雌性子代。【结论】樟叶蜂的孤雌生殖延长了亲代雌虫的寿命,且为产雄孤雌生殖。这些研究结果表明,樟叶蜂的孤雌生殖不但具有自身建群的能力,同时在种群繁衍中可以提供大量的雄虫以弥补两性生殖后代雄性个体的不足。     

樟叶峰两性生殖与孤雌生殖方式下雌虫生殖适合度及子代生活史特征的比较

【目的】樟叶蜂Mesoneura rufonota是危害樟树Cinnamonum campora的重要食叶性害虫,该虫的繁殖策略包括两性生殖和孤雌生殖两种模式。本研究旨在明确孤雌生殖在樟叶蜂生活史中的生物学意义。【方法】在室内25℃恒温条件下,测定并分析了樟叶蜂孤雌生殖和两性生殖两种生殖方式在亲代生殖适合度(雌虫寿命、产卵量和卵孵化率)和子代生活史(各虫态发育历期、死亡率、子代性比和产卵量等)特征上的差异。【结果】孤雌生殖的樟叶蜂雌虫寿命显著长于两性生殖的雌虫寿命,而雌虫产卵量和卵孵化率在两种生殖方式间均无差异。子代各虫态的发育历期和死亡率以及子代单雌产卵量在两种生殖方式间均无差异,但子代成虫性比在两种生殖方式间存在显著差异,表现为孤雌生殖大多产雄性子代,而两性生殖大多产雌性子代。【结论】樟叶蜂的孤雌生殖延长了亲代雌虫的寿命,且为产雄孤雌生殖。这些研究结果表明,樟叶蜂的孤雌生殖不但具有自身建群的能力,同时在种群繁衍中可以提供大量的雄虫以弥补两性生殖后代雄性个体的不足。     

短时高温对加州新小绥螨发育的影响

为了探究高温逆境条件下加州新小绥螨的生存特性对其种群发育的影响,利用短时高温刺激试验,研究加州新小绥螨卵、幼螨、雌成螨在35、38、42、45 ℃等4个温度下、处理1～8 h后的孵化率、存活率、后期发育历期及繁殖的影响.结果表明: 处理温度越高,时间越长,卵和幼螨的存活率越低,其后续发育历期随处理温度升高和时间增加先缩短后延长.当温度为38 ℃,处理8 h后,卵的后续发育历期最短,为4.1 d.卵在45 ℃下处理2 h以上将不能正常孵化,而幼螨在45 ℃下处理8 h后不能存活;雌成螨产卵期和产卵量基本随温度升高先增加后降低,35 ℃处理8 h后,单雌产卵量最高,为38.9粒;38 ℃处理8 h后,单雌产卵量为36.7粒;45 ℃处理8 h后,单雌产卵量仅为14.5粒.短时高温主要影响加州新小绥螨的孵化率、存活率和后续发育历期,对雌成螨的产卵前期和存活率影响较小.     

短时高温对加州新小绥螨发育的影响

为了探究高温逆境条件下加州新小绥螨的生存特性对其种群发育的影响,利用短时高温刺激试验,研究加州新小绥螨卵、幼螨、雌成螨在35、38、42、45 ℃等4个温度下、处理1～8 h后的孵化率、存活率、后期发育历期及繁殖的影响.结果表明: 处理温度越高,时间越长,卵和幼螨的存活率越低,其后续发育历期随处理温度升高和时间增加先缩短后延长.当温度为38 ℃,处理8 h后,卵的后续发育历期最短,为4.1 d.卵在45 ℃下处理2 h以上将不能正常孵化,而幼螨在45 ℃下处理8 h后不能存活;雌成螨产卵期和产卵量基本随温度升高先增加后降低,35 ℃处理8 h后,单雌产卵量最高,为38.9粒;38 ℃处理8 h后,单雌产卵量为36.7粒;45 ℃处理8 h后,单雌产卵量仅为14.5粒.短时高温主要影响加州新小绥螨的孵化率、存活率和后续发育历期,对雌成螨的产卵前期和存活率影响较小.     

南非盲走螨实验种群的发育历期及生命表

在27℃条件下,以粗脚粉螨Acarus siro L.为饲料饲养观察南非盲走螨Typhlodromus(Anthoseius) transvaalensis(Nesbitt)的生长发育和繁殖情况,组建实验种群生命表。结果表明,南非盲走螨行孤雌生殖,卵、幼螨、前若螨、后若螨、成螨产卵前期各阶段发育历期分别为2.00,0.72,1.96,1.53,1.77d,完成1个世代发育需7.98d,雌成螨平均寿命14.82d、平均产卵量25.75粒,各种群生命参数分别为:净增殖率R0=25.01,世代平均周期T=13.71,内禀增长率rm=0.23,周限增长率λ=1.26,种群倍增所需日数t=2.95。采用小空间湿度控制法,测定不同湿度对南非盲走螨卵的孵化和成螨产卵的影响。结果表明,卵发育和孵化的最适湿度为75.0%~85.0%,96.0%的相对高湿度对成螨的产卵和存活均有不利影响。以橘全爪螨Panonychus citri McGregor不同螨态为猎物时,南非盲走螨对橘全爪螨幼螨的捕食量最大,日平均捕食量为5.40头,而对橘全爪螨雌成螨则几乎不取食。     

梨小食心虫蛹重对成虫繁殖力和寿命及下一代幼虫发育的影响

【目的】本文旨在明确营养状况不同造成的梨小食心虫Grapholitha molesta(Busck)雌、雄蛹重量差异对其羽化的成虫产卵量、产卵期、寿命及下一代(F1)幼虫发育的影响。【方法】室内条件下,通过不同的饲养方法,获得个体重量不同的梨小食心虫雌、雄蛹,待其羽化交配后,记录其产卵量、产卵时间和成虫寿命;卵孵化前后,分别测量卵和初孵幼虫大小,计算卵孵化率,统计幼虫发育历期。【结果】雌蛹重量对梨小食心虫的成虫产卵量影响显著,其重量与产卵量呈正相关(y=15.505x-59.292);同一条件下,雌蛹与雄蛹重量也呈正相关(y=0.823x-0.538)。同时,雌蛹重量对成虫产卵期影响也较大,蛹重大的个体羽化的雌虫比蛹重小的个体羽化的雌虫产卵高峰期提前1 d;较重、中等和较轻蛹羽化出的雌虫个体每天产卵量高于10粒/雌的时间分别为9~10,7和5~6 d;产卵量高于5粒/雌的时间分别为12~13,9和6~7 d。而雄蛹重量对产卵量、雄成虫寿命影响没有明显影响。较轻的蛹羽化的雌成虫寿命比较重蛹羽化的雌成虫短2~3 d;而雄蛹重量对其羽化的雄成虫寿命影响没有明显规律。雌、雄蛹重量对其羽化成虫的卵孵化率、卵和初孵幼虫的大小影响均不显著,对F_1幼虫发育历期影响也不显著。【结论】梨小食心虫雌蛹重对羽化成虫的产卵量和产卵期等影响显著,田间防治时应注意在不同条件下完成发育的个体,尤其是雌虫,由于营养差异引起的个体大小对随后种群增长的影响。     

毒死蜱亚致死剂量对二斑叶螨实验种群动态的影响

【目的】为探讨毒死蜱(Chlorpyrifos)对二斑叶螨Tetranychus urticae Koch种群动态的影响,室内研究了毒死蜱亚致死剂量对二斑叶螨实验种群成螨和若螨的生长发育、存活和繁殖情况的影响。【方法】用浸虫法进行测定,生命表方法分析亚致死效应。【结果】结果表明毒死蜱亚致死剂量LC25处理成螨后,雌成螨寿命、总产卵量、子代孵化率、性比与对照组无显著差异,其净增值率、内禀增长率、周限增长率以及种群加倍时间显著低于对照组。毒死蜱亚致死剂量LC25处理若螨后,总产卵量、净增值率、世代平均周期显著低于对照组,内禀增长率、周限增长率以及种群加倍时间与对照组无显著差异。扩散试验证明毒死蜱对二斑叶螨有较强的刺激扩散作用。【结论】以上结果说明毒死蜱亚致死剂量对不同发育阶段的二斑叶螨发育和繁殖的影响不同,毒死蜱对二斑叶螨的刺激扩散作用可能是引起二斑叶螨再猖獗的原因之一。     

温湿度对神泽氏叶螨发育历期和产卵量的影响

将神泽氏叶螨Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida分别置于15℃,RH80%;20℃,RH75%;25℃,RH70%;30℃,RH65%;35℃,RH60%的恒温恒湿箱内单个饲养,观察其个体发育、孵化率、存活率和产卵量,结果为：35℃,RH60%条件下,雌、雄一代发育历期最短,为(6.23±0.44)山成螨最高日产卵量13.95±3.72)粒;平均日产卵量7.18±1.56)粒; 从成螨开始产卵至死亡50%产卵期最短,为(9.65±1.53)山卵孵化率72.4%;幼螨存活率84.6%。15℃,RH80%条件下,雌、雄一代发育历期最长,为(27.49±2.23)山成螨最高日产卵量(5±1.21)粒;平均日产卵量(2.04±0.55)粒;从成螨开始产卵至死亡50%产卵期最长,为(28.4±4.06)d：卵孵化率85.6%;幼螨存活率97.0%。15℃,RH80%处理成螨寿命为(35±8.85)d,比20℃,75%处理成螨寿命长(13.9±6.4)d。试验结果表明,不同的温湿度对神泽氏叶螨生长发育有一定的影响,35℃发育速率最快,15℃发育速率最慢,20～30℃为最适发育温度。     

营养对不同地理种群周氏啮小蜂生物学特性的影响

【目的】研究补充营养对周氏啮小蜂海南本土地理种群和北京地理种群的生物学参数是否有差异。【方法】设置不同的营养(10%蜂蜜、10%蔗糖、10%葡萄糖、水、空白)分别饲喂周氏啮小蜂,统计2个地理种群的寄生率、羽化率、出蜂量、寿命。【结果】2个地理种群的周氏啮小蜂羽化后不久即可进行交配,补充10%蜂蜜、10%蔗糖、10%葡萄糖能显著提高2个地理种群的寄生率、羽化率、出蜂量、雌雄蜂寿命,补充不同的营养对两个地理种群的雌雄比、发育历期的影响差异不显著;饲喂10%蜂蜜的海南地理种群寄生率最高(84.60%),饲喂10%葡萄糖的海南地理种群羽化率最高(97.47%),饲喂10%葡萄糖的海南地理种群出蜂量最高(60.03头),饲喂10%葡萄糖的海南地理种群雌、雄蜂的寿命均为最高,分别为9.13和8.53d。营养和地理种群的交互作用对周氏啮小蜂雄蜂的寄生率、羽化率、出蜂量、雌雄比、雌雄蜂寿命具有显著影响,而对周氏啮小蜂的发育历期无显著影响。【结论】补充营养可不同程度促进周氏啮小蜂生殖力、寿命及寄生率,对寄生蜂繁育和利用其进行生物防治具有一定的意义。     

Effect of humidity on the development and fecundity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ophraella communa</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Ophraella communa, an unintentionally introduced leaf beetle in China, has good control efficiency on ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia. Aspects of the climatic requirements for development, survival, longevity and fecundity of O. communa were studied under the conditions of constant temperature (25 ± 1°C), photoperiod of 14 L:10 D and three relative humidities (60%, 75% and 90% RHs). The results showed that the developmental periods of O. communa at different stages shortened along with the increasing relative humidity, except that of the pupal stage. Although no differences were observed in the pupal survival rate, ovipositional period, fecundity, longevity and adult female age-specific survivorship of O. communa under the three humidity conditions, the survival rates during the egg, larva and entire immature stage were significantly higher at 75% RH and 90% RH than at 60% RH. The innate rate of increase (r _m), net reproductive rate (R ₀), finite rate of increase (λ) reached the maximum at 75% RH, with values of 0.181, 1116.4 and 1.198, respectively. These results indicated that the optimum relative humidity for the development of O. communa ranged from 75% RH to 90% RH. Thus O. communa prefers moist microclimate habitats. Its population may expand rapidly during mid-May to late August in south, east and central China, when the humidity is relatively high.     

Effect of temperature on the survival and infectivity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudotheraptus devastans</Emphasis> vector

The aim of this study was to investigate under a controlled environment, the effect of temperature on the survival and infectivity of Pseudotheraptus devastans Distant, a cassava anthracnose disease vector. The insect P. devastans was collected from young cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) field plots, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. A mixture of the different developmental stages of eggs, first to fifth instar nymphs, and adults, were incubated in controlled environment chambers, under various constant temperatures of: 15, 17, 22, 25, 27, 30, and 35°C. Relative humidity at different temperature conditions were recorded and maintained at 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, and 60%, respectively. A significant increase in insect survival was observed between 22 and 27°C temperature conditions while a significant decrease in survival was observed at 15°C and above 30°C. Lesion number, lesion diameter and infectivity among the insect stages varied as a function of temperature and relative humidity. Infectivity was highest at 22–25°C maintained at 75–80% RH and lowest at 15°C and above 30°C maintained respectively, at 65% RH and 90% RH. There was considerable low vector infectivity due to low survival of the insects at extreme temperatures.     

Effect of relative humidity on development, survival and reproduction of the predatory lacewing Dichochrysa prasina (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The effect of five constant relative humidity (RH) regimes (12%, 33%, 55%, 75% and 94%) on the preimaginal development and adult longevity and reproduction of Dichochrysa prasina Burmeister was studied at 26 ± 1 °C and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) under laboratory conditions. For the experiments, larvae were fed individually on eggs of the flour moth Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller), whereas adults on a liquid diet consisting of water, yeast hydrolysate, sugar and honey. The experimental insects were maintained individually in sealed plastic containers with saturated water salt solutions at the base to control RH. Preimaginal developmental time from egg to adult for females and males was significantly shorter at 75% and 94% RHs than at other RHs in the range from 12% to 55%. Percentages of adult emergence were similar at all RHs tested and varied from 52.5% to 75.0%. Adult females that had no access to water and were maintained at 12%–75% RH lived on average less than two weeks and laid no eggs, whereas at 94% RH they lived longer and each laid on average 201 eggs. When the females had periodic access to a water source a significant increase in both longevity and egg production occurred and the estimated intrinsic rate of increase was high, irrespective of RH. These results could be useful for the mass-rearing of D. prasina and for better understanding its population dynamics under field conditions.     

Effect of some food sources associated with cassava in Africa on the development, fecundity and longevity of Euseius fustis (Pritchard and Baker) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Various foods associated with cassava were tested for their effect on the development, fecundity and longevity of Euseius fustis, the most common phytoseiid species found on cassava in Africa. Euseius fustis developed successfully to adulthood on the spider mite prey species Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) and Oligonychus gossypii (Zacher) and on pollen from maize, castor bean and cassava. Euseius fustis also completed development on water-diluted phloem exudate from cassava, diluted honeydew from the cassava mealybug and on various pollen and prey combinations. When reared on Tetranychus urticae Koch prey or free water only, E. fustis did not develop past the deutonymphal stage. All larvae held on clean leaf discs on water-soaked cotton died without moulting, suggesting that E. fustis must feed in order to moult to the nymphal stages. Diets of maize plus castor bean pollen and maize pollen plus M. tanajoa resulted in the highest rate of development, the highest fecundity and the greatest longevity. Castor bean pollen alone and maize pollen alone produced a higher fecundity and greater longevity than M. tanajoa tested alone. A colony of E. fustis reared continuously for seven generations on castor bean pollen produced nine times more adult females than a colony of E. fustis reared continuously on M. tanajoa. No negative effects on the development and fecundity of E. fustis were observed after seven generations were reared on pollen.     

Effect of cassava exudate and prey densities on the survival and reproduction of Typhlodromalus limonicus (Garman & McGregor) s.l. (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a predator of the cassava green mite,Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The effects of cassava exudate and prey densities on reproduction and survival of the predatory mite, Typhlodromalus limonicus (Garman & McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), were investigated in the laboratory. Females were provided either cassava exudate ad lib. daily, low or high numbers of the cassava green mite prey, Mononychellus tanajoa (Bondar) (Acari: Tetranychidae) daily, or exudate for 5 or 10 days before switching to a low or high prey diet. Females fed only exudate laid no eggs. Females fed exudate before prey experienced a significant decrease (30%) in the number of eggs laid compared to females fed high numbers of prey daily. The reduction in fecundity was the result of prolonged preoviposition periods (2.0 days on prey daily vs 4.0 days on exudate before prey) and reduced number of eggs laid per female per day (1.7 eggs per female per day on prey daily vs 0.4 eggs per female per day on exudate before prey). Females fed only exudate had a greater survival rate and longevity than females fed prey daily or females fed exudate before a diet of prey. These results suggest that T. limonicus can survice for a limited period on cassava exudate during periods of low prey availability, but requires prey to complete oögenesis and propagate the population.     

Humidity affects populations of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in blueberry

Temperature and humidity affect insect physiology, survival, fecundity, reproductive status and behaviour. Complementing previous work investigating the effects of temperature on adult survival and fecundity of the invasive frugivorous pest, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), this study was conducted to determine the effect of humidity on D. suzukii larval development, adult survival, fecundity and reproductive status using blueberry as a host substrate. The five constant humidity levels in laboratory bioassays were 20, 33, 71, 82 and 94% RH at 20.6 ± 0.2°C. As RH increased, fecundity and longevity increased. At the higher humidity levels, RH had limited impact on mean generation times (T), larval development and eclosion times. The highest net reproductive rate (R_o = 68) and highest intrinsic rate of population increase (r_m = 0.17) were both recorded at 94% RH. The reproductive status of females, as indicated by the number of mature oocytes per female, was significantly greater at 82 and 94% RH, compared to 71% RH. In addition to the laboratory procedures, we correlated field trap captures over an 81‐day summer period to relative humidity (RH) levels in close proximity to those traps. In the field, low ambient humidity levels resulted in decreased trap captures. A humidity‐dependent population model predicted lower densities of D. suzukii relative to populations at higher humidity. This study supports the hypothesis that cultural practices that minimize lower humidity levels in crops can contribute to the management of D. suzukii. Such methods may include open pruning, drip irrigation and field floor management.     

豆野螟延迟交尾和多次交尾对生殖的影响

豆野螟Maruca vitrata(Fabricius)是一种严重的泛热带豆类蔬菜害虫。本文研究了豆野螟延迟交尾和多次交尾对其生殖的影响。延迟交尾实验结果表明:豆野螟雌雄同时延迟交尾,雌雄虫的寿命、产卵量均表现为先上升后下降的趋势,但是对卵的孵化率没有显著影响;雌虫延迟交尾,随着延迟时间的增加,雌虫的寿命、产卵量、卵的孵化率表现为下降的趋势,而雄虫的寿命延迟交尾第3天达到最大值;雄虫延迟交尾,随着延迟交尾时间的增加,雌雄虫的寿命、产卵量均表现为先上升后下降的趋势,卵的孵化率随着延迟逐渐下降。多次交尾实验结果表明,随着雄虫交尾次数的增加,成功交尾率逐渐降低,用于交尾的时间延长,雌虫和相应雄虫的寿命逐渐缩短,雌虫的产卵量下降,但对卵的孵化率影响不大;豆野螟雌虫一生只交尾一次,未见到雌虫2次交尾。     

Influences of temperature and humidity on the life history parameters and prey consumption of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anthocoris minki</Emphasis> Dohrn (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

Anthocoris minki Dohrn is a promising indigenous Anthocoris species for the biological control of Agonoscena pistaciae Burck. and Laut. (Homoptera: Psyllidae) in pistachio orchards in Turkey. The adult longevity, fecundity, life table parameters and prey consumption of A. minki fed on Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs were studied at combinations of three constant temperatures (20, 25 and 30 ± 1°C) with two relative humidity (RH) levels (40 and 65 ± 5%). Studies indicated that temperature and RH significantly affected adult longevity, fecundity and prey consumption of A. minki. The greatest adult female longevity was 116.0 days at 20°C and 65% RH; the shortest adult female longevity was 27.5 days at 30°C and 40% RH. At all tested temperatures, the oviposition period and prey consumption of both females and males significantly decreased at low RH compared to high RH. The highest and lowest total fecundities were 276.0 eggs (at 20°C and 65% RH) and 42.4 eggs (at 25°C and 40% RH), respectively. The intrinsic rates of natural increase (r _m) at 40 and 65% RH were 0.049 and 0.076 at 20°C, 0.072 and 0.096 at 25°C and 0.076 and 0.112 at 30°C, respectively. The highest mean numbers of E. kuehniella eggs consumed by females and males were 859.6 (at 20°C) and 515.3 (at 25°C) at 65% RH, respectively; the lowest were 183.3 (at 20°C) and 95.5 (at 25°C) at 40% RH, respectively.     

Impact of relative humidity and water availability on the life history of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii

The predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is currently used as an efficient biological control agent of thrips, whiteflies and spider mites, which are economically damaging pests of ornamental plants and vegetable crops grown in greenhouses and fields worldwide. Currently, the effects of relative humidity (RH) and water availability on the optimal growth of A. swirskii are unknown. Here, we test the combined effects of different levels of RH (33%, 53%, 73% and 92%) and water availability on the development and reproduction of male and female A. swirskii feeding on the dried fruit mite, Carpoglyphus lactis (Linnaeus). While eggs failed to hatch at 33% RH, the survival rates of the immature stages at?≥?53% RH increased solely in response to water availability and not due to changes in RH. Regarding growth and development, low RH extended the egg–adult duration and pre-oviposition period. We also found that the negative effects of low RH on fecundity were partially or completely eliminated when drinking water was available. For the life table parameters, the highest values of net reproductive rate (R₀) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) were achieved at the highest RH and when drinking water was available. Overall, water availability mitigated the negative effect of low RH on female reproduction, and female development was more sensitive to water availability than male development. Lastly, a comparison of similar research on A. swirskii suggested that water availability and RH are more influential on r than food source or temperature.