Influence of selected fruit tree pollen on life history of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euseius stipulatus</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) is a predatory mite widespread in the Mediterranean region considered to be important for the biological control of spider mites in citrus orchards. Development, survival and reproduction of this phytoseiid mite feeding on seven commercially obtained pollen were studied under constant laboratory conditions (20 ± 1°C, RH 65 ± 5%, photoperiod 16L: 8D h). Mites were kept individually at rearing units with ample quantity of almond (Prunus amygdalus Batch), apple (Malus domestica Borkh), apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), cherry (Prunus avium L.), pear (Pyrus communis L.), plum (Prunus domestica L.) and walnut (Juglans regia L.) pollen as food source. Developmental time from egg to adult varied between the several pollen tested from 8.38 ± 0.08 to 9.58 ± 0.11 days for females and from 8.23 ± 0.12 and 9.07 ± 0.12 days for males. Female longevity varied from 11.53 ± 1.22 to 51.38 ± 2.45 days, while fecundity ranged from 22.84 ± 2.30 to 43.61 ± 3.78 eggs/female. The predator was unable to reproduce when feeding on walnut pollen. Data were submitted to life table analysis and values of the intrinsic rate of increase were derived, ranging from 0.079 to 0.146 (day⁻¹). The cumulative Weibull function that was used to describe the age specific survival of females produced excellent fits to the survival data. Results show that almond, plum, cherry and apricot pollen possess higher nutritional value for E. stipulatus than pear and apple pollen and thus may contribute in sustaining and increasing the predator population in field conditions. Walnut pollen can be utilized by the predator only to survive during short periods of time when principal or alternative food sources are scarce.     

Effect of African nightshade species (Solanaceae) on developmental time and life table parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus evansi</Emphasis> (Acari: Tetranychidae)

The effect of five African nightshade (Solanum sp.) species on the biological and demographic parameters of the tomato spider mite, Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard, was examined in the laboratory at 25 ± 1°C, 70–80% RH and 12L:12D photoperiod. Duration of each development stage, reproduction rate, longevity, intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m), and doubling time (DT) of the tomato spider mite on the five nightshade species were calculated. The results indicated that S. villosum, S. scabrum, S. tarderemotum and S. americanum are more suitable for T. evansi due to a shorter developmental period, longer adult longevity, higher reproduction and intrinsic rate of natural increase ranging between 0.180 and 0.196 females/female/day compared with S. sarrachoides which cannot support T. evansi populations as the r _m (−0.063 females/female/day) and DT were negative on this host. Differences in developmental time and life table parameters among the other host plants were not significant.     

Interactions of two natural enemies of Tetranychus urticae,the fungal entomopathogen Beauveria bassiana and the predatory mite,Phytoseiulus persimilis

The effect of either untreated or treated adults of the spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) by Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuillemin (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) DEBI008 at 1×10⁶ (conidia/ml) was investigated on developmental stages and life table parameters of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) under laboratory conditions. Four time intervals (0, 24, 48 and 72 h post-inoculation of spider mites) were considered for studying the predator characteristics as different treatments. Duration of each life stage, longevity, reproduction rate, intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m ), net reproductive rate (R ₀), mean generation time (T) and finite rate of increase (λ) of the P. persimilis were calculated on both untreated and B. bassiana treated spider mite adults. Data analysis showed that longevity and fecundity of predatory mites fed on untreated and treated mites (time interval 0) were higher in comparison with other time intervals after inoculation. The entomopathogenic fungus adversely affected longevity and fecundity of the predatory mite. Fertility life table parameters of predatory mites fed on T. urticae treated by B. bassiana at different time intervals showed that T, R ₀, λ and r _m are strongly affected by the fungus presence and these parameters had significant differences among time treatments. The least r _m value was observed in the time interval of 72 h post-inoculation. The fitness of T. urticae was affected by B. bassiana 24, 48 and 72 h post-inoculation of mite adults, and consequently it caused decreased longevity of P. persimilis and accordingly a decrease in the intrinsic rate of natural increase of the predator.     

Influence of selected fruit tree pollen on life history of Euseius stipulatus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Euseius stipulatus (Athias-Henriot) is a predatory mite widespread in the Mediterranean region considered to be important for the biological control of spider mites in citrus orchards. Development, survival and reproduction of this phytoseiid mite feeding on seven commercially obtained pollen were studied under constant laboratory conditions (20 ± 1°C, RH 65 ± 5%, photoperiod 16L: 8D h). Mites were kept individually at rearing units with ample quantity of almond (Prunus amygdalus Batch), apple (Malus domestica Borkh), apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), cherry (Prunus avium L.), pear (Pyrus communis L.), plum (Prunus domestica L.) and walnut (Juglans regia L.) pollen as food source. Developmental time from egg to adult varied between the several pollen tested from 8.38 ± 0.08 to 9.58 ± 0.11 days for females and from 8.23 ± 0.12 and 9.07 ± 0.12 days for males. Female longevity varied from 11.53 ± 1.22 to 51.38 ± 2.45 days, while fecundity ranged from 22.84 ± 2.30 to 43.61 ± 3.78 eggs/female. The predator was unable to reproduce when feeding on walnut pollen. Data were submitted to life table analysis and values of the intrinsic rate of increase were derived, ranging from 0.079 to 0.146 (day⁻¹). The cumulative Weibull function that was used to describe the age specific survival of females produced excellent fits to the survival data. Results show that almond, plum, cherry and apricot pollen possess higher nutritional value for E. stipulatus than pear and apple pollen and thus may contribute in sustaining and increasing the predator population in field conditions. Walnut pollen can be utilized by the predator only to survive during short periods of time when principal or alternative food sources are scarce.     

Energy flow in an apple plant-aphid (Aphis pomi De Geer) (Homoptera: Aphididae) ecosystem,with respect to nitrogen fertilization

The effect of nitrogen fertilization on the life table parameters of green apple aphids, feeding on apple saplings of different nutritional quality, was investigated. The experiments were carried out with cloned apple plants (cv. Golden Delicious), all originating from one seed, growing in a climate chamber under constant conditions. The apple saplings were irrigated with nutrient solutions containing different nitrogen levels (0.2, 0.5, 1, and 3 N), and infested with Aphis pomi De Geer. The 1 N treatment corresponded to a 15 mM nitrogen concentration, containing NO₃ ^- and NH₄ ⁺ in a 14:1 ratio. The levels of nitrogen fertilization studied here influenced the life table parameters of A. pomi in the following way: the mean generation time of A. pomi, growing on the 0.5 N treatment, was lower than the corresponding values found on the 0.2 and 1 N treatments. The highest net reproduction rate was produced on low (0.2 N) nitrogen nutrition. The intrinsic rate of natural increase was highest on the 0.5 N treatment.     

Olfactory response of the predator <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zetzellia mali</Emphasis> to a prey patch occupied by a conspecific predator

While searching for food, predators may use volatiles associated with their prey, but also with their competitors for prey. This was tested for the case of Zetzellia mali (Ewing) (Acari: Stigmaeidae), an important predator of the hawthorn spider mite, Amphitetranychus viennensis (Zacher) (Acari: Tetranychidae), in black-cherry orchards in Baraghan, Iran. Using a Y-tube olfactometer, the response of this predatory mite was tested to odour from black-cherry leaves with a conspecific female predatory mite, either with or without a female of the hawthorn spider mite when the alternative odour came from black-cherry leaves with the hawthorn spider mite only. Female predators avoided odours from leaves with both a hawthorn spider mite and a conspecific predator, as well as leaves with a conspecific predator only. We discuss whether avoidance emerges in response to cues from the competitor/predator, the herbivore/prey or the herbivore-damaged plant.     

Sublethal effects of Beauveria bassiana on life table parameters of two–spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Effects of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana were studied on life table parameters of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae feeding on bean and cucumber under laboratory conditions. The developmental periods for all immature stages were not affected by fungal infection on each host plant but the duration of larval stage was significantly longer on bean. The female and male longevity, oviposition period and fecundity were significantly lower on fungus-treated mites but were not different between two host plants. Significant reductions were found on the intrinsic rate of increase (r _m ), the net reproductive rate (R ₀), the finite rate of increase (λ), the mean generation time (T _c ) and the population doubling time (D _t ) as a result of mycosis. Only the mean generation time (T _c ) was influenced considering the effect of host plant, which was shorter on cucumber.     

Rapid and repeatable shifts in life‐history timing of Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) following colonization of novel host plants in the Pacific Northwestern United States

Host shifts of phytophagous insect specialists to novel plants can result in divergent ecological adaptation, generating reproductive isolation and potentially new species. Rhagoletis pomonella fruit flies in eastern North America underwent a host shift ~160 ya from native downy hawthorn (Crataegus mollis) to introduced, domesticated apple (Malus domestica). Divergent selection on diapause phenology related to the earlier fruiting time of apples versus downy hawthorns resulted in partial allochronic reproductive isolation between the fly races. Here, we test for how rapid and repeatable shifts in life‐history timing are driving ecological divergence of R. pomonella in the Pacific Northwestern USA. The fly was introduced into the region via larval‐infested apples 40–65 ya and now attacks native black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) and introduced ornamental hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), in addition to early‐ and late‐maturing apple varieties in the region. To investigate the life‐history timing hypothesis, we used a field‐based experiment to characterize the host‐associated eclosion and flight activity patterns of adults, and the feeding times of larvae at a field site in Vancouver, Washington. We also assessed the degree to which differences in host‐fruiting time generate allochronic isolation among apple‐, black hawthorn‐, and ornamental hawthorn‐associated fly populations. We conclude that host‐associated fly populations are temporally offset 24.4% to 92.6% in their seasonal distributions. Our results imply that R. pomonella possesses the capacity for rapid and repeatable shifts in diapause life history to match host‐fruiting phenology, which can generate ecologically based reproductive isolation, and potentially biodiversity in the process.     

Influence of diet on life table parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Iphiseius degenerans</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Studies on the reproduction, longevity and life table parameters of Iphiseius degenerans (Berlese) were carried out under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 1 °C, 75 ± 5% RH and 16L:8D h. As food sources for the predatory mite, Ricinus communis L. pollen, all stages of the spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) larvae, and Ephestia kuehniella Zeller eggs were selected. All diets were accepted as food by the adult mites. Female longevity ranged from 29.5 to 42.4 days, the highest value was recorded on a diet of Ephestia eggs. The highest percentage of females escaping the experimental arena was observed on the diet consisting of thrips larvae. The highest oviposition rate (1.9 eggs/female.day) was recorded when the predator was fed on spider mites on an artificial substrate. For other diets, oviposition rates ranged from 1.0 to 1.3 eggs/female.day. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m) of I. degenerans varied between 0.015 and 0.142 females/female.day. The diet consisting of castor bean pollen resulted in the highest population growth whereas the diet on spider mites brushed off onto a bean leaf arena resulted in the slowest population growth. This can be explained by the inability of the predator to cope with the webbing of T. urticae, and the high escape rate of the progeny when reared on spider mites. The percentage of females in the offspring ranged from 40 to 73%.This revised version was published online in May 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Influence of prey on developmental performance, reproduction and prey consumption of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

The Spical strain of the predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is used as a biological control agent, but little is known about its preferred prey and host plants in Japan. Here we studied the development, reproduction and prey consumption of the Spical strain when fed on eggs of five different spider mite species deposited on both their laboratory-rearing plant and cherry, on which all five spider mite species developed well. The developmental periods of immature N. californicus females and males were significantly affected by the prey species they fed on, but not by the plants. No difference was found between males and females. The developmental period was shorter on eggs of two Tetranychus species than on eggs of Panonychus ulmi. Immature females had a higher predation rate than immature males. Preoviposition period, oviposition period and the number of eggs laid per female were not significantly affected by either the plants or the type of prey eggs. The postoviposition period and total adult longevity were shorter on eggs of P. ulmi than of the other four prey species, but there was no effect of plant substrate. The postoviposition period of the Spical strain was much longer than that of other N. californicus strains or other predatory mite species: the postoviposition period of the Spical strain was more than three times longer than the oviposition period, accounting for more than 75% of the total adult longevity. This suggests that the females need multiple mating to reach full egg load, but this remains to be tested. Total consumption by N. californicus adults was lower for eggs of P. ulmi than for eggs of the other four species, apparently because of the shorter postoviposition period when fed on eggs of P. ulmi. The intrinsic rates of natural increase (r _m) on the rearing plant did not differ among prey species, whereas those on cherry were significantly different: the value was higher on Tetranychus urticae eggs than on eggs of other species. Only when N. californicus fed on T. urticae eggs, the r _m-values were significantly different between the rearing plant and cherry (higher on cherry). Thus, the Spical strain of N. californicus could feed on eggs of all five spider mite species, deposited on a variety of plants with similar r _m-values, suggesting that it could be successfully used to control spider mites in orchards and various crop fields of Japan.     

Effect of temperature on the life-history traits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neoseiulus californicus</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panonychus ulmi</Emphasis>

The developmental rate and reproductive biology of Neoseiulus californicus, a generalist predator on spider mites and small insects, was investigated in the laboratory at five constant temperatures: 15, 20, 25, 30, and 34°C. The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi, an important pest in Korean apple orchards, was used as prey. Mean developmental time and adult longevity were inversely related to temperature from 15 to 30°C. Lifetime fecundity was greatest at 25°C, whereas daily fecundity was highest at 30°C. The sex ratio (female to male) was highest (0.77) at 25°C and lowest (0.67) at 34°C. Survivorship during immature development varied from 74.3 to 92.9%, with the lowest rate at 34°C. Life table parameters were analyzed and pseudo-replicates for the generation time (t _G ), the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r _m), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R ₀), and doubling time (t _D ) were generated using the Jackknife method. Generation time (t _G ) was lowest (10.7 days) at 34°C, R ₀ was highest (49.2) at 25°C, and both r _m (0.29) and λ (1.34) were highest at 30°C. In conclusion, the development and adult life-history traits obtained for N. californicus fed on P. ulmi indicated significant potential for biological control.     

Biology, life table and predation of Feltiella acarisuga (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) feeding on Tetranychus cinnabarinus eggs (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Feltiella acarisuga (Vallot) is a common predatory gall midge, which feeds on many species of spider mites. All major life history and life table parameters of F. acarisuga were determined using the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) eggs as prey under laboratory conditions [26.7 ± 2 °C, 75 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of l4:10 (L:D) h]. Developmental times of F. acarisuga were 2.6, 7.1, and 6.7 d for eggs, larvae, and pupae, respectively, with an average of 16.4 d from egg to adult emergence. Female immatures development took ≈1 d longer than male immatures did. Adult F. acarisuga lived an average of 12.8 d, and the female adults (13.3 d) lived significantly longer than male adults did (11.9 d). After an average of 1.5 d preoviposition period, each female laid an average of 27.3 eggs in its life span with an average of 2.1 eggs per day and an average of 2.8 eggs on each of its oviposition day. The raw data were analyzed using an age-stage, two-sex life table method that takes into consideration of the variable developmental rates among individuals and between sexes. The intrinsic rate of natural population increase (r), net reproductive rates (R_o), gross reproductive rate (∑m_x), generation time (T), and doubling time (DT), and the finite rate of increase (λ) of F. acarisuga were estimated using the age-stage, two-sex (male and female) life table analysis as 0.122 d⁻¹, 16.19 eggs per female, 20.81 eggs per female, 22.81 d, 1.1298 d, and 5.7 d⁻¹, respectively. Each of the first, second, and third instar larvae of F. acarisuga consumed an average of 35.5, 54.0 and 86.9 T. cinnabarinus eggs per day, respectively. Larvae of F. acarisuga could consume an average of 175.4, T. cinnabarinus eggs, and female larvae consumed 14% more spider mite eggs (187.6 eggs) than male larvae (165.1 eggs). The significance of other life table parameters related to the population and the potential of using F. acarisuga as a biological control agent are discussed.     

BEHAVIORAL EVIDENCE FOR FRUIT ODOR DISCRIMINATION AND SYMPATRIC HOST RACES OF RHAGOLETIS POMONELLA FLIES IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES

The recent shift of Rhagoletis pomonella (Diptera: Tephritidae) from its native host downy hawthorn, Crataegus mollis, to introduced domesticated apple, Malus domestica, in the eastern United States is a model for sympatric host race formation. However, the fly is also present in the western United States, where it may have been introduced via infested apples within the last 60 years. In addition to apple, R. pomonella also infests two hawthorns in the West, one the native black hawthorn, C. douglasii, and the other the introduced English ornamental hawthorn, C. monogyna. Here, we test for behavioral evidence of host races in the western United States. through flight tunnel assays of western R. pomonella flies to host fruit volatile blends. We report that western apple, black hawthorn, and ornamental hawthorn flies showed significantly increased levels of upwind‐directed flight to their respective natal compared to nonnatal fruit volatile blends, consistent with host race status. We discuss the implications of the behavioral results for the origin(s) of western R. pomonella, including the possibility that western apple flies were not introduced, but may represent a recent shift from local hawthorn fly populations.     

Host preference of the plum curculio

We assessed host preference of adult plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), based on the total number of mark‐released and wild adults recovered and the total distance moved by mark‐released adults in an orchard whose layout was designed to specifically allow foraging plum curculios to choose among host tree species. Host trees included apple, Malus domestica Borkh.; pear, Pyrus communis (L.); peach, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch; apricot, Prunus armeniaca L.; tart cherry, Prunus cerasus L.; sweet cherry, Prunus avium (L.); European plum, Prunus domestica L.; and Japanese plum, Prunus salicina Lindl. (all Rosaceae). We released 2900 marked adults and recovered 17.7%. We used screen traps to provide a measure of the number of adults that arrived at and climbed up particular host trees and found that significantly greater numbers of marked adults and the greatest number of wild adults were recovered from screen traps attached to Japanese plum. We sampled host tree canopies by tapping limbs to provide a measure of the number of adults within a tree canopy at a particular moment. Again, significantly greater numbers of marked and wild adults were recovered from plum species, with no difference between Japanese and European plum cultivars for marked individuals, but with significantly greater numbers of wild individuals recovered from Japanese plum. The preference index (PI) for Japanese plum based on total distances moved by all marked adults recovered on Japanese plum divided by the total distance moved by marked adults recovered on other host trees indicated that Japanese plum was the most highly preferred host, followed by European plum, peach, sweet cherry, tart cherry, apricot, apple, and pear, respectively.     

Temperature-dependent development and life table parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Typhlodromus bagdasarjani</Emphasis> (Phytoseiidae) fed on two-spotted spider mite

The predatory mite Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein and Arutunjan (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is an indigenous and widespread species of the Middle East fauna. In this paper we assess the effect of temperature on developmental rate and reproduction potential of T. bagdasarjani under laboratory conditions. The development of this species was determined at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 37.5 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% RH and L16:D8 h photoperiod. The total developmental time averaged 28.2, 15.0, 8.9, 7.6, 7.2 and 7.4 days at 15–37.5°C, respectively, when feeding on immature stages of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. The lower developmental threshold (T ₀ ) and thermal constant (K) for the development of this predator were estimated 9.2°C and 162 degree-days by the Ikemoto linear model. The life table parameters were estimated at 15–35°C. The shortest life span of females at 35°C was 45.0 days, followed by 50.7, 50.9, 103.3 and 136.8 days at 30, 25, 20 and 15°C, respectively. Mated females laid on average 19.9, 26.3, 41.1, 39.6 and 31.3 eggs per female at 15–35°C, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r _m ) and finite rate of increase (λ) increased significantly with increasing temperature. The r _m values ranged from 0.021 (15°C) to 0.186 (35°C) days⁻¹. The highest value of net reproductive rate (R ₀) was 13.6 females progeny/female/generation at 25°C. The results demonstrated that T. bagdasarjani is well adapted to high temperatures. However, the efficiency to control spider mites may be affected by behavioral characteristics of the predator and its prey under real conditions.     

Host plant resistance among tomato accessions to the spider mite <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus evansi</Emphasis> in Kenya

The spider mite Tetranychus evansi has a broad range of host plants. Control of T. evansi has been a big challenge to tomato farmers due to its fast rate of reproduction, development of resistance to chemical pesticides and its ability to use weeds as alternative hosts when the tomato plants are not available. The aim of the current study was to determine the host plant acceptance and the relative contributions of trichomes in the control of the red spider mite by comparing the survival, development and oviposition rates of the red spider mite on eight tomato accessions. Leaflets from eight tomato varieties were assayed with the spider mites to determine the egg laying capacity and developmental time of the spider mites on the tomato accessions as well as the trichome densities. Densities of trichome types I, IV, V and VI varied among the tomato accessions. Variation in types I, IV and VI accounted for most of the variation in mite responses. The varieties with high densities of types IV and VI had the highest fecundity and mite development did not go beyond the larval stage. The developmental time varied significantly among the tomato accessions. The results indicated that the higher the density of trichome type I the lower the adult survival. The findings indicated possible resistance of some of the tested tomato accessions against T. evansi which is partially associated with trichomes types and density.     

Chemically mediated multitrophic interactions in a plant–insect vector‐phytoplasma system compared with a partially nonvector species

• 1 We elucidated the life cycles of two jumping plant lice species (Hemiptera: Psyllidae): Cacopsylla picta, a vector of the apple proliferation phytoplasma (Candidatus Phytoplasma mali), and Cacopsylla melanoneura, a nonvectoring species in Germany and some neighbouring countries, which may transmit the phytoplasma in one region in Italy.
• 2 The adults of C. picta reproduce exclusively on apple and migrate soon after emergence (emigrants) to conifers in mountainous regions, and return to apple plants in early spring (remigrants). Cacopsylla melanoneura also uses conifers as overwintering host plants but prefers to reproduce on hawthorn, despite its ability to reproduce on apple.
• 3 Both psyllid species used chemical cues for the identification of their alternate host plants during migration. Remigrants of C. melanoneura preferred the odour of their main reproduction host plant hawthorn to apple but preferred the odour of apple when experienced by feeding and oviposition. Although emigrants of C. picta reportedly prefer the odour of apple trees infected by Ca. P. mali, the remigrants of both species did not distinguish between the odours of infected or uninfected apple plants.
• 4 Investigating the distribution of Ca. P. mali in plant species involved in psyllid life cycle revealed that the phytoplasma is specialized on apple.
• 5 Infection of apple by Ca. P. mali increased mortality and resulted in decreased body size of C. picta offspring.
• 6 Gravid females of C. picta preferred to oviposit on non‐infected plants.
• 7 It is concluded that Ca. P. mali indirectly promotes its acquisition from infected plants and transmission to non‐infected plants by behavioural manipulation of its vector C. picta.

     

Effects of temperature on the adults and progeny of the predaceous mite Lasioseius japonicus (Acari: Blattisociidae) fed on the cereal mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae)

The predatory mite Lasioseius japonicus Ehara is a newly recorded species in China that has been shown to have great potential as a biological control agent. The species is a soil-dwelling mite that is known to prey on various pests including economically important mites, fungus gnats and other terricolous arthropods. Considering that temperature is one of the most important factors affecting the population dynamics of arthropods, the development, survival and reproduction of L. japonicus were evaluated under indoor conditions at seven temperatures: 19, 22, 25, 28, 31, 34 and 37 °C, at 75% relative humidity and L0:D24 h photoperiod. The mites were fed on the cereal mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) and the data were analyzed using the two-sex life table. The results demonstrated that L. japonicus could complete their development and reproduce at temperatures between 19 and 34 °C, but were unsuccessful at 37 °C. Increasing temperature shortened the development time of the pre-adult stage and the average generation time (T). The life table parameters indicated that at temperatures from 22 to 31 °C the development rate and reproduction of L. japonicus were highest: at 22, 25, 28 and 31 °C the net reproduction rate (R₀) was 55.5, 61.6, 61.2 and 59.0, respectively, and the average fecundity rate (F) was 81.7, 88.0, 102.0 and 86.8, respectively. The maximum values of intrinsic population growth rate (r) (0.341) and finite rate of increase (λ) (1.407) occurred at 31 °C.