Overwintering sites and winter mortality of Euseius finlandicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in a peach orchard in northern Greece

In peach orchards of northern Greece Euseius finlandicus Oudemans overwinters in various sites on the trees, usually in groups of 5–15 females. Overwintering females were mostly found in bark crevices near the hibernation cocoons of the peach moth Adoxophyes orana (Fischer von Rosslerstamm), and also in small crevices of the bark and in pedicels left after fruit harvesting. Empty scales of dead diaspidids and dead coccids, cocoons of lacewings and mummies of parasitized aphids sporadically found on trees, were less common overwintering sites for females of the mite. In two successive years, mortality of overwintering females was very low, approximately 4 and 4.5% which could be due to the mild climate of northern Greece and the high cold tolerance of the mite. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic improvement of Amblyseius finlandicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae): laboratory selection for resistance to azinphosmethyl and dimethoate

Amblyseius finlandicus (Oudemans) was selected in the laboratory for resistance to azinphosmethyl and dimethoate by subjecting adult females to increasing concentrations of dried residues of dimethoate and azinphosmethyl on detached bean leaves. The first eight selections were done with dimethoate. Slide-dip bioassays indicated selection with dimethoate increased dimethoate resistance 1.8-fold and azinphosmethyl resistance 2.6-fold. These resistances appeared to be quite stable: a 1.2 to 1.3-fold decrease in resistance ratios was observed in a subculture after 10 months without selections. No decrease was observed after 9 months without selections in a pooled colony that consisted of both resistant and susceptible mites. The dimethoate-selected colony was subsequently selected eight times with azinphosmethyl. About 15 % of the mites survived the last selection round with 2,500 ppm, which is 2.5 times the highest recommended field rate in Finnish apple orchards. At the end of the selection program, based on slide-dip bioassays, the total increase in resistance to dimethoate was about two-fold and to azinphosmethyl about 5.4-fold compared to the unselected base colony from which the selected colony was derived. The LC₅₀ value for azinphosmethyl was 14 times higher in the selected colony (451.3 ppm a.i.) compared to the most susceptible colony tested. A similar level of resistance to both pesticides was achieved after six azinphosmethyl selections on a mixed colony that was initiated by pooling mites from five field-collected colonies and the dimethoate-selected lines. Year-to-year variation in azinphosmethyl LC₅₀ values of the unselected base colony was high, with values varying from 83.8 to 348.7 ppm a.i., demonstrating the need to test a reference strain in each bioassay. Results of the azinphosmethyl selections and the subsequent slide-dip bioassays suggest that the resistant strain could tolerate field rates of azinphosmethyl (300–950 ppm a.i.) used in Finnish apple orchards.     

Life history of Euseius scutalis feeding on citrus red mite Panonychus citri at various temperatures

The aim of this study was todetermine the biology and reproductivepotential of Euseius scutalis(Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) atvarious temperatures. These data are of valuein relation to mass rearing and the developmentof population dynamics models. The developmenttime, survival and fecundity of E.scutalis were determined at 20, 25 and30 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 10% RH and 16:8photoperiod. Total development times of E.scutalis were 6.7, 4.9 and 4.2 days at 20, 25and 30 ± 1 °C, respectively, using adiet of all life stages of the spider mite Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari:Tetranychidae). In general, preoviposition andpostoviposition periods of E. scutaliswere shortened as temperature increased, butthe oviposition period was longer at 25 °C than at 20 and 30 °C. Theshortest survival time of E. scutalis, at30 °C, was 10.1 days, followed by 23.7days and 28.6 days at 20 and 25 °C,respectively. Mated females laid on average1.1, 1.4 and 1.7 eggs per female per day and21.5, 39.7 and 17.1 eggs over their entire lifetime at 20, 25 and 30 °C, respectively.The sex ratios of E. scutalis were2.11/1, 2.24/1 and 2.11/1 female/male at 20, 25and 30 °C, respectively. The intrinsicrate of natural increase (r _m) increasedwith rising temperatures from 0.166 at 20 °C to 0.295 females/female/day at 30 °C. The net reproductive rate (R ₀)was highest at 25 °C (26.03females/female) and lowest at 30 °C(12.95 females/female). Mean generation time(T ₀) was longest at 25 °C (17.50days) and shortest (9.53 days) at 30 °C.     

Prey stage preference and functional response of Euseius hibisci to Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

The aims of this study were: (a) determine the prey stage preference of female Euseius hibisci (Chant) (Phytoseiidae) at constant densities of different stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Tetranychidae), (b) assess the functional response of the predator females to the varying densities of eggs, larvae, or protonymphs of T. urticae, and (c) estimate the functional response of E. hibisci when pollen of Ligustrum ovalifolium was present as well. We conducted experiments on excised pieces of strawberry leaf arenas (Fragaria ananassa) under laboratory conditions of 25 ± 2 °C, 60 ± 5% RH and 12 h photophase. Our results indicated that the predator consumed significantly more prey eggs than other prey stages. Consumption of prey deutonymphs and adults was so low that they were excluded from the non-choice functional response experiments. The functional response on all food items was of type II. The two parameters of the functional response were estimated for each prey type by means of the adjusted non-linear regression model. The highest estimated value a (instantaneous rate of discovery) and the lowest value of T_h (handling time, including digestion) were found for the predator feeding on prey eggs, and a was lowest and T_h highest when fed protonymphs. Using the jack-knife method, the values for the functional response parameters were estimated. The values of a and T_h produced by the model were similar among all prey types except for the eggs, which were different. Using pollen simultaneously with prey larvae decreased the consumption of the latter over the full range of prey densities The suitability of this predator for biological control of T. urticae on strawberry is discussed.     

Diapause induction and termination in the predatory mite Euseius finlandicus in peach orchards in northern Greece

The course of diapause induction as well as of diapause termination infemales of the predatory mite Euseius (Amblyseius)finlandicus Oudemans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Northern Greece wasdetermined by transferring females during winter and early spring from peachtrees to a short day (LD 8:16) or a long day (LD 16:8) photoperiod both at 20°C. The first diapause females were found in mid September andby the first week of October all the females were in diapause. The mean numberof days required for diapause termination under the short day photoperiod LD8:16 was gradually reduced from 93.7 days in the beginning of October to lessthan 20 days in mid February and early March. Under the long day photoperiod ofLD 16:8 diapause was terminated in less than 20 days irrespective of the dateof collection. These results indicate that by mid February photoperiodicsensitivity of females was lost and diapause was terminated. However, femaleswere found in their overwintering sites until the second half of March,probablybecause of the prevailing relatively low temperatures and lack of adequatefood.     

Development, survival, and reproduction of the predatory mite Kampimodromus aberrans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at different constant temperatures

Development, survival, and reproduction of the predatory mite Kampimodromus aberrans Oudemans were studied at constant temperatures in the range from 15 to 35 degrees C under laboratory conditions. Larval developmental rate for both males and females increased gradually from 15 to 35 degrees C and decreased at higher temperatures. Lactin's nonlinear model described with adequate accuracy the relationship between developmental rate and temperature. The model predicted that lower and upper threshold temperatures for preimaginal development ranged from 9.8 to 11.8 degrees C and from 37.2 to 39.8 degrees C, respectively. The intrinsic rate of population increase (rm) at the different temperatures ranged from 0.0442 to 0.1575, with the highest value recorded at 25 degrees C. At 33 degrees C a negative rm value was estimated. The rm values determined at different temperatures were fitted to Lactin's nonlinear model, and the lower and upper threshold and the optimal temperatures for population increase were 10.5, 32.4, and 27.6 degrees C, respectively. These data indicate that K. aberrans may be better adapted to intermediate temperatures around 27 degrees C and, therefore, could be a useful biocontrol agent of spider mites during spring and early summer when such temperatures are prevalent in northern Greece. The results could also be useful in developing a population model for K. aberrans under field conditions.     

芬兰真绥螨对苹果全爪螨的捕食作用研究

在实验条件下,系统研究了芬兰真绥螨Euseius finlandicus Oudemans对苹果全爪螨Panony-chus ulmi Koch的控制能力。研究结果表明:(1)在15～32℃的温度条件下,芬兰真绥螨雌成螨的捕食量随着温度的上升呈线型正相关。在15～25℃的温度内芬兰真绥螨的产卵量随温度升高而增加,在15℃下平均单雌产卵0.42粒,25℃时平均单雌产卵2.56粒;当温度升到32℃时单雌产卵下降为1.62粒,雌成螨的产卵量与温度的关系呈抛物线型。(2)在5～15头/叶的猎物密度下,雌成螨的捕食量随着猎物的密度增加呈线型正相关,而当猎物密度达到30头/叶时,芬兰真绥螨雌成螨的捕食量处于平稳状态。在5～15头/叶的猎物密度下,芬兰真绥螨的产卵量和产卵量均与猎物的密度呈线型正相关;当每头雌成螨捕食量为1.8～3.5头时,产卵量为1.0～1.5粒。(3)不同温度下,芬兰真绥螨对猎物的不同密度和虫态的功能反应可用圆盘方程II型进行拟合;在25℃条件下捕食效率最高且喜好捕食的虫态是卵和幼螨。     

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.     

Functional response of Euseius finlandicus and Amblyseius andersoni to Panonychus ulmi on apple and peach leaves in the laboratory

The functional response of adult females of the predatory mites Euseius (Amblyseius) finlandicus and Amblyseius andersoni to larvae and adult females of the fruit tree red spider mite Panonychus ulmi was determined on apple and peach leaf disks in the laboratory at 25°C and 16:8 (L:D). For adult females of P. ulmi the predation efficiency of E. finlandicus was higher on peach than on apple, whereas that of A. andersoni was higher on apple than on peach. Efficiency of predation on larvae of P. ulmi by either predator did not differ significantly between apple and peach. On both plants, A. andersoni had a higher predation rate than E. finlandicus on larvae of P. ulmi. It is concluded that in the laboratory the host plant has a substantial effect on predation efficiency of A. andersoni and E. finlandicus when they preyed on adults but not when they preyed on larvae of P. ulmi.     

Photoperiod and temperature studies to determine whether diapause is found in successive generations of the African phytoseiid,Euseius fustis (Pritchard and Baker) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Photoperiod and temperature conditions known to induce diapause in tropical arthropods were tested on two generations (G₀ and G₁) of the phytoseiid, Euseius fustis. Failure to lay eggs or a pre-oviposition period longer than 15 days were the criteria used to determine whether females were in diapause. Females reared from egg to adult and held throughout adult life under cyclic temperatures of 29/20°C in combination with long photophases of 16L: 8D and 14L: 10D showed no indication of aestival diapause. Similarly, hibernal diapause was not induced in females reared under a constant temperature of 18°C and a photophase of 8L: 16D. Under the various test conditions, females initiated oviposition within an average of 4 days. Overall, pre-oviposition patterns for G₀ and G₁ females were similar under the same test conditions. Reproductive patterns based on the mean number of eggs per female per day varied only slightly between generations for the same treatments. No behavioural or morphological attributes associated with diapause were observed.     

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.     

Pearl bodies of Cayratia japonica (Thunb.) Gagnep. (Vitaceae) as alternative food for a predatory mite Euseius sojaensis (Ehara) (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

On the young leaves, shoots, and buds of Cayratia japonica (Thunb.) Gagnep. (Vitaceae), we observed nutritious bodies called pearl bodies and hypothesized that they are utilized by generalist predators as alternative foods. Some ambulate organisms consume pearl bodies in the wild and the predatory mite Euseius sojaensis (Ehara) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was considered as a primary candidate. Pearl bodies promoted E. sojaensis settlement on C. japonica leaves and E. sojaensis could prey on the phytophagous mite Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Acari: Tetranychidae) when the predators settle on a leaf before the prey. In addition, the presence of pearl bodies did not reduce predation of E. sojaensis on T. kanzawai. This was seemingly because food quality of T. kanzawai was higher than pearl bodies. These results implied that pearl bodies on C. japonica leaves are utilized by E. sojaensis as alternative foods.     

不同温度下斜纹夜蛾的两性生命表

【目的】斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura(Fabricius)是一种鳞翅目夜蛾科食叶害虫,在不同的寄主、饲料等条件下表现出不同的生长发育特点。本实验旨在探究温度对斜纹夜蛾生长发育状况和种群参数的影响。【方法】在室内人工气候箱20±1℃,27±1℃和30±1℃(相对湿度和光周期分别为65%±10%和14L∶10D)条件下饲养斜纹夜蛾,观察和组建斜纹夜蛾在3种温度下的年龄-阶段两性生命表。【结果】斜纹夜蛾各个阶段的发育历期随温度升高变短,成虫产卵前期(adult preoviposition period,APOP)和总产卵前期(total preoviposition period,TPOP)同样表现为随温度升高而变短。此外,20±1℃处理的平均产卵量最高(1 810.36粒/雌),27±1℃处理次之(1 623.51粒/雌),30±1℃处理最低(1 084.60粒/雌)。斜纹夜蛾在不同温度条件下内禀增长率(r)、周限增长率(λ)和净增殖率(R0)有显著差异,20±1℃处理的r和λ显著低于27±1℃处理和30±1℃处理;27±1℃处理的R0显著大于20±1℃和30±1℃处理;20±1℃,27±1℃和30±1℃下平均世代周期(T)分别为52.51,30.63和26.87 d,依次减少且相互间差异显著(P0.05)。【结论】斜纹夜蛾在27±1℃和30±1℃温度条件下均表现出很强的增殖能力,该结果可为田间综合防治斜纹夜蛾提供理论依据。     

有益真绥螨与巴氏新小绥螨的集团内捕食和同类相残作用

【目的】有益真绥螨Euseius utilis是北方地区广泛分布的一种多食性植绥螨,而巴氏新小绥螨Neoseiulus barkeri目前在我国广泛应用于农业害虫的生物防治中。本研究旨在对巴氏新小绥螨在本地的应用进行风险评估及为与有益真绥螨的联合释放提供依据。【方法】本研究在室内通过一系列实验,比较了实验室饲养的巴氏新小绥螨和采自内蒙古农业大学校园的有益真绥螨的雌成螨对同种或异种未成熟螨的捕食量、存活时间及产卵量的差异,检测了有益真绥螨与巴氏新小绥螨两种植绥螨相互之间的攻击强度以及种内和种间的相互作用。【结果】两种植绥螨都难以刺吸同种或异种植绥螨的卵,而对同种或异种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量最大,其次是对若螨。在无共同食物的情况下,有益真绥螨雌成螨对同种植绥螨幼螨的攻击性比对异种植绥螨幼螨的攻击性强(BreslowDay检验:χ~2=13.84,df=1,P0.001),且有益真绥螨对同种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量(9.10±1.65头)高于对异种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量(5.31±1.43头)(T检验:t=5.487,P0.001),巴氏新小绥螨对异种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量(7.48±0.75头)高于对同种植绥螨幼螨的捕食量(4.75±0.58头)(T检验:t=9.110,P0.05)。【结论】有益真绥螨更倾向于捕食同种幼螨而发生同类相残;巴氏新小绥螨更倾向于捕食异种幼螨而发生集团内捕食。     

Temperature‐dependent development of Neoseiulus barkeri (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) at seven constant temperatures

Abstract The effect of seven constant temperatures of 15, 20, 25, 27, 30, 35 and 37°C on developmental time of Neoseiulus barkeri Hughes were determined in laboratory conditions under 65%± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 12 : 12 (L : D) h on nymphal stages of Tetranychus urticae Koch. Total developmental time of females (from egg to adult emergence) at the above‐mentioned temperatures was 26.59, 14.43, 6.32, 5.64, 4.59, 3.98 and 4.67 days, respectively. Developmental rate of the N. barkeri increased as temperature increased from 15 to 35°C, but declined at 37°C. A linear and two nonlinear models were fitted to developmental rate of immature stages of N. barkeri to predict the developmental rate as a function of temperature, as well as to estimate the thermal constant (K) and critical temperatures (i.e., T_min, T_opt and T_max). The estimated values of the T_min and K for total developmental time using the linear model were 12.07°C and 86.20 degree‐days (DD), respectively. The T_min and T_max estimated by the Sharpe‐Schoolfield‐Ikemoto (SSI) model were 11.90°C and 37.41°C, respectively. The estimated T_opt for overall immature stage development of N. barkeri by the Lactin and SSI models were 33.89°C and 24.51°C, respectively. Based on the biological criteria of model evaluation, the linear and SSI models were found to be the best models for describing the developmental rate of overall immature stages of N. barkeri and estimating the temperature thresholds.     

Location,reproduction and movement of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) during the autumn,winter and spring in orchards in the south of France

Field samples and experiments conducted in apple orchards in the south of France showed that Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) searched for prey on the trees and in the ground cover as late as mid-November 1993, and at least as early in the spring as the end of February 1994. Overwintering females fed, expanded and produced viable eggs within 7.9±0.3 (SE) days given the natural light regime, adequate food and temperatures of 17.0±20.6°C. The first generation of N. californicus developed in the field during March and April 1994. N. californicus nymphs, females and males readily moved over bare ground and through a grass ground cover to trap plants located on stakes 1 m above the ground. In the laboratory, the rate of movement of adult females on 0.5 mm copper wire was a linear function of temperature above a threshold of 11.9±0.9°C. At 25°C they travelled 10 m per h. The migration rate of N. californicus to trap plants on stakes placed in an orchard 13 Apr. increased in 2 weeks from 0.07 to 0.57 predators/trap plant/degree-day, while the migration rate to plants placed directly in the ground cover was 1.45 predators/trap plant/degree-day. The largest population of N. californicus in April occurred on Barley, Hordeum murinum L. This plant produces pollen in April and May, and may be useful in biocontrol programs.     

Life tables of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus longipes feeding on Tetranychus evansi at four temperatures (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

The tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi, is reported as a severe pest of tomato and other solanaceous crops from Africa, from Atlantic and Mediterranean Islands, and more recently from the south of Europe (Portugal, Spain and France). A population of the predaceous mite Phytoseiulus longipes has been recently found in Brazil in association with T. evansi. The objective of this paper was to assess the development and reproduction abilities of this strain on T. evansi under laboratory conditions at four temperatures: 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. The duration of the immature phase ranged from 3.1 to 15.4 days, at 30 and 15°C, respectively. Global immature lower thermal threshold was 12.0°C. Immature survival was high at all temperatures tested (minimum of 88% at 30°C). The intrinsic rate of increase (r _m) of P. longipes ranged from 0.091 to 0.416 female/female/day, at 15 and 30°C, respectively. P. longipes would be able to develop at a wide range of temperatures feeding on T. evansi and has the potential to control T. evansi populations.     

Automatic mass-rearing of Amblyseius womersleyi (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Using incorporated devices, Tetranychus urticae spider mites were rinsed from hydroponically-grown lima bean plants, collected, separated and blow-dried. This yielded a reliable and large volume of eggs and larvae, which were fed to Amblyseius womersleyi rearings on 15×5cm² polyethylene arenas. Of several feeding regimes tested, daily feeding of 10mg T. urticae eggs and larvae resulted in the highest predator population levels. The best harvest period was between 15 and 27 days, when predator density exceeded 600 mites per arena. A preliminary automatic mass-rearing device was tested for A. womersleyi. This incorporated both rearing and harvesting procedures. A micro-feeder was developed to supply the required volume of spider mites and maize pollen (1:1 mixture) to the predators. A Bakelite rearing arena reduced the space requirements of a polyethylene arena, was more durable and an essential component in the automatic mass-rearing and harvesting. Mite harvesting is carried out through the use of a vacuum-head harvester. Supplements of (sterilized) spider mites, pollen, vermiculite and wheat bran are automatically added to the predators. The devices for harvesting, filling and packing are incorporated and synchronized and the entire system is controlled by a single slide-switch. The design and system can be expanded without changing the basic processes and program, for example to adopt it for other species of predaceous mites.     

不同温度对绿盲蝽种群生长发育和繁殖的影响

模拟组建了绿盲蝽Apolygus lucorum(Meyer-Dür)在5种温度(18,21,24,27,30℃)下的实验种群生命表。结果表明:在18～30℃,绿盲蝽发育速率随着温度的升高而加快,并符合Logistic模型;绿盲蝽卵、若虫、产卵前期及世代的发育起点温度分别为9.53、12.32、10.40和11.07℃,有效积温分别为142.61、162.60、123.13和425.17日.度;若虫期最高存活率(24℃)比最低存活率(30℃)高27.27%;最高产卵量(24℃)比最低产卵量(30℃)高33.61粒/雌;24℃内禀增长率最高,为0.0949。通过生命表参数综合评价表明:24～27℃是绿盲蝽生长繁殖的最适温区。     

Life Tables of Phytoseiulus Macropilis (Banks) (Gamasida: Phytoseiidae) at Different Temperatures

The biology of Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) fed on Tetranychus urticae Koch was studied at different temperatures. The total development times averaged 7.5, 5.7, 4.2, 4.2 and 5.6 days at 20, 25, 28, 30 and 32°C, respectively at 78 ± 2% RH and 16 h photoperiod daily. The intrinsic rate of natural increase (r_m) and the net reproduction (R_o) reached maximum values 0.47 and 88.9, respectively, at 28°C. The mean generation time decreased (20.0-8.8 days) with increasing temperature 20-28°C.