Semi-field demographic performance of the invasive planthopper,Orosanga japonica (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) on two host plants

Orosanga japonica Melichar (Hemiptera: Ricaniidae) is an invasive polyphagous pest in Iran. The planthopper damaged host plants by sap-sucking and egg laying on new twigs. This study aimed to determine the life table parameters of O. japonica on Rubus ulmifolius Schoot (elm leaf blackberry) and Melia azedarach L. (chinaberry) under field conditions in Rudsar (North of Iran) during 2019–2020. The collected life history data were analyzed based on age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The results showed that the incubation period of O. japonica was too long (≈ 270 days) on both host plants. The nymphs emerged from mid-May 2020. The planthopper had five nymphal stages under field conditions. The nymphal duration was 41.39 ± 0.56 days and 38.13 ± 0.62 days on R. ulmifolius and M. azedarach, respectively. The total preadult survival rates were 53.2% and 51.7% on R. ulmifolius and M. azedarach, respectively. Based on the results, a significant shorter total developmental time was observed on M. azedarach. When adults emerged in late July, they laid eggs after 26.05 days and 26.75 days on R. ulmifolius and M. azedarach, respectively. The fecundity on M. azedarach (131.69 egg/female) was significantly higher than that on R. ulmifolius. However, the life table parameters were all not significantly different on the two host plants. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) were 0.0097 ± 0.0005 day⁻¹ and 0.0105 ± 0.0006 day⁻¹ on R. ulmifolius and M. azedarach, respectively. Generally, these findings could be helpful to establish an efficient management strategy for this exotic pest.     

Differences in the susceptibility of five herbivore species and developmental stages to tomato resistance induced by methyl jasmonate treatment

We compared the susceptibility of five herbivores to tomato resistance induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. We tested for lethal effects against five herbivores (Spodoptera litura, Mamestra brassicae, Frankliniella occidentalis, Tetranychus urticae, and Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata) at various MeJA concentrations. The mortality of all five herbivores increased significantly with increasing MeJA concentration. The 25 % lethal concentration was 0.03 μM for both first-instar larvae of S. litura and third-instar larvae of M. brassicae, 0.51 μM for third-instar larvae of S. litura, 0.76 μM for adult T. urticae, 2.4 μM for first-instar larvae of F. occidentalis, and 5.7 μM for first-instar larvae of H. vigintioctopunctata. Thus, the degree of susceptibility to MeJA-induced resistance of tomato was first-instar larvae of S. litura = third-instar larvae of M. brassicae > third-instar larvae of S. litura ≈ adult T. urticae > first-instar larvae of F. occidentalis > first-instar larvae of H. vigintioctopunctata. Mortality of first-instar larvae of M. brassicae was >90 % at all concentrations. Mortality of fourth-instar larvae of H. vigintioctopunctata (<7 %) was similar to that of the control at all MeJA concentrations. We also detected statistically significant weight loss of the surviving lepidopteran larvae, increased larval duration of F. occidentalis and H. vigintioctopunctata, and reduced egg production by T. urticae grown on MeJA-treated tomato, suggesting that the MeJA-induced resistance can control these herbivores, but effectiveness is different on different species and growth stage. Feeding by both M. brassicae and H. vigintioctopunctata larvae activated JA-inducible genes in tomato.     

Oral delivery of dsHvlwr is a feasible method for managing the pest Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae)

RNA interference(RNAi)techniques have emerged as powerful tools that facilitate development of novel management strategies for insect pests,such as Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae),which is a major pest of solanaceous plants in Asia.In this study,the potential of oral delivery of in vvYro-synthesized and bacterially expressed double-stranded H.vigintioctopunctata lesswright(Iwr)gene(dsHvlwr)to manage of H.vigintioctopunctata was investigated.Our results showed that the gene Hvlwr had a 480-bp open reading frame and encoded a 160-amino acid protein.Hvlwr expression levels were greater in the fat body than other tissue types.Hvlwr silencing led to greater H.vigintioctopunctata mortality rates and appeared to be time-and partially dose-dependent,likely as a result of the number of hemocytes increasing with dsRNA concentration,but decreasing with time.Bacterially expressed dsHvlwr that was applied to leaf discs caused 88%,66%,and 36%mortality in 1st instars,3rd instars,and adults after 10,10,and 14 d,respectively;when applied to living plants,there was greater mortality in 1 st and 3rd instars,but there was no effect on adults.Furthermore,dsHvlwr led to improved plant protection against H.vigintioctopunctata.Our study shows an effective dietary RNAi response in H.vigintioctopunctata and that Hvlwr is a promising RNAi target gene for control of this pest species.     

Biology and fertility life table of Bactrocera carambolae on grape and acerola

Bactrocera carambolae Drew & Hancock (Diptera: Tephritidae), native of Southeast Asia, is present in Brazil but restricted to Amapá, Pará and Roraima, where it has quarantine pest status. The possible dispersion to other fruit producing regions of Brazil could cause damages, including for exportation, due to quarantine restrictions imposed by fruit importing countries. The objective of this work was to describe the biological parameters and calculate the fertility life table of B. carambolae on grape (Vitis vinifera L.) and acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.). The experiment was conducted in the laboratory under controlled conditions. The mean number of punctures and the mean number of eggs per female on grapes were 1.48 ± 0.05 and 9.87 ± 0.36, respectively. The mean number puparia per fruit was 0.1 ± 0.02 (grape) and 0.5 ± 0.10 (acerola). The pupal viability was 82.4% (grape) and 70.6% (acerola). The mean time ± SE of one generation, in days, was 25.8 ± 1.10 (grape) and 19.7 ± 0.21 (acerola). The mean fecundity was 1663.8 ± 501.01 (grape) and 206.9 ± 26.21 (acerola) with eggs viability of 5.6% (grape) and 12.5% (acerola). The mean longevity, in days, was 77.3 ± 12.13 on grape and 82.4 ± 4.24 on acerola. The study found that B. carambolae completes its biological cycle on grape and on acerola leaving offspring.     

Morphology,development and reproduction of Pyrgomorpha vignaudii (Orthoptera: Pyrgomorphidae)

Pyrgomorpha vignaudii (Guérin‐Méneville, 1849) is a pest of a wide variety of crop plants in Africa. To facilitate the search for a sustainable strategy against this pest, we have studied the post‐embryonic development, morphology and reproduction on Manihot esculenta in the laboratory. Five‐hundred and two larvae at the first stage of development obtained in the laboratory were individually reared in cages. Post‐embryonic development passed through seven stages. The total number of days spent for larval development varied from 77 to 108. The mean duration of development of stages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 larvae were, respectively, 16.48 ± 0.43, 14.40 ± 0.55, 13.70 ± 0.61, 15.07 ± 0.84, 15.21 ± 1.31 and 16.21 ± 1.27 days. After the final molt, the females of P. vignaudii take an average of 12.7 ± 1.04 days before the first mating. The time between the first mating and first oviposition ranged from 14 to 34 days (averagely 25.2 ± 4.62 days). The females realized one to nine ovipositions during their lives. The number of eggs per egg‐pods (ootheca) varied from 16 to 93 with a mean of 45.31 ± 3.51. Our results provide valuable information for the search for a control strategy against P. vignaudii.     

Different squash cultivars mediate performance of Aphis gossypii and its predator (Aphidoletes aphidimyza): Towards developing an IPM strategy

Different cultivars of plant species can affect the performance of aphids and their natural enemies. In this study, development and life table parameters of the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii (Hem.: Aphididae) and its predatory midge, Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Dip.: Cecidomyiidae) were determined on four different squash cultivars (Rajaei, Elion, Clarita, and Chance) under laboratory conditions at 23 ± 2 °C, 70 ± 5% RH and 16:8 h L:D photoperiod. Adult longevity and total fecundity of A. gossypii differed with cultivar, with the highest value observed on Rajaei as the most susceptible host plant (21.93 ± 0.191 days and 74.37 ± 0.088 nymphs/female, respectively). Moreover, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) of the aphid on Rajaei and Elion (0.354 ± 0.008 day⁻¹ and 0.340 ± 0.009 day⁻¹, respectively) were significantly higher than two other cultivars. The predator reared on A. gossypii, feeding on Chance cultivar, had the lowest fecundity (51 ± 2.78 eggs/female) and the lowest r value (0.120 ± 0.011 day⁻¹) than those reared on other cultivars. These results attained from population projection estimation based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory were in consistence with other findings which indicated the influence of different host plant cultivars on the performance of A. gossypii and its predator, A. aphidimyza. Combined use of resistant host plant cultivars together with biological control agents can be proposed as an efficient integrated pest management strategy.     

Field Observations on the Mating Behavior of Aclees sp. cf. foveatus Voss (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), an Exotic Pest Noxious to Fig Orchards

Aclees sp. cf. foveatus Voss is a new and exotic pest recently reported as responsible for severe damages to Italian fig orchards and nurseries. Investigating its mating behavioral sequence could help to unravel mate assessment and choice dynamics of this pest, adding useful information to build-up behavior-based control strategies. In this study, we observed A. sp. cf. foveatus mating behavior under field conditions. The mating behavior is divided into precopulatory, copulatory and postcopulatory phases. Simultaneous antennal tapping and rostral rubbing acts performed by the male on female’s body raises male’s chances to copulate, while males that performed only antennal tapping on the partner’s body did not achieved mating success. Copulation attempt phase lasted 37.80?±?7.65 s. Copulation lasted 1116.00?±?229.73 s and was followed by a motionless postcopulatory phase (8.40?±?1.21 s). Same-sex sexual interactions were observed among A. sp. cf. foveatus males. Male-male sexual interactions lasted about 140.17?±?19.45 s and were composed of antennal tapping and rostral rubbing followed by one or more mounting attempts. Further research is ongoing to investigate the exact nature of male- and female-borne olfactory and tactile cues routing mate recognition in A. sp. cf. foveatus.     

Development rate and lower temperature threshold in the eggs of Eurygaster integriceps (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae)

The sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Put. has a wide distribution in the Palearctic region. It is the most important pest problem of wheat in Turkey. The objective of this study was to attain better knowledge of the development of the sunn pest eggs. The lower temperature threshold and development rate of eggs were determined at 17, 20, 23, 26 and 32°C ± 1°C in the laboratory. A linear model was used to describe the developmental rate and temperature. The egg development required 90.9 degree‐days above the theoretical threshold of 11.7°C. The development time was 17.6 ± 0.1 days at 17°C, and 4.5 ± 0.01 days at 32°C. Incubation time was inversely related to temperature. The study showed that the eggs of E. integriceps needed shorter periods of time to complete their development than immature stages of their parasitoids Trissolcus spp.     

新侵入害虫蔗扁蛾生活史

蔗扁蛾Opogona sacchari (Bojer)是一种新传入我国的危险性外来害虫。在温度25.71±2.71℃和相对湿度(74.95±5.02)%的条件下,完成一个世代需要66～135天,全年约可发生4代。幼虫期是历史时最长的虫态,需要37～75天,共7龄,是该虫的为害虫期。成虫的交配和产卵需要一定的空间,产卵量为253.05±65.18 (n=20) 。     

Biology ofPterolonche inspersa (Lep.: Pterolonchidae), a biological control agent forCentaurea diffusa andC. maculosa in the United States

The moth,Pterolonche inspersa (Staudinger) (Lepidoptera: Pterolonchidae), is widely distributed in southern Europe, north Africa, Turkey and the former Soviet Union. It occurs in both thick and scattered stands of knapweeds in disturbed sites, usually on sandy and/or stony soil. Larvae bore in the roots of diffuse and spotted knapweeds (Centaurea diffusa De Lamarck andC. maculosa De Lamarck). There is one generation per year in northern Greece, and larvae feed in the roots for about 11 months during the growing season (August–September, to the following July–August). In the laboratory garden, emergence took place between the second half of July and the end of August, with peak emergence during mid August. In the field, adults were observed from early to late July. Female moths oviposited on rosettes during the first ten days of July and continued through the end of July. Eggs were laid singly or in groups of five or six, firmly attached to the leaves of the host plant. In the laboratory, females mated within 24 hours of emergence and the preoviposition period lasted 2.6±0.8 days. The oviposition period lasted 7.4±2.2 days and the average number of eggs per female was 142.2±59.2. The incubation period was 12±4.7 days; the pupal stage lasted 14.7±2.4 days; and females lived 15.8±2.4 days, while males lived 10.7±1.4 days. First instar larvae failed to survive on economically important Compositae in the generaCynara L.,Helianthus L.,Zinnia L. andCalendula L. (Dunnet al., 1989).     

Reproduction of three eulophid wasps that parasitise larvae of the citrus leafminer

The citrus leafminer, Phyllocnistis citrella Stainton (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) (CLM), is a citrus pest indigenous to Southeast Asia. It was discovered in Israel in 1994. The pest attacks the young foliage of citrus, and damage is caused by the larvae tunnelling under the epidermis of young leaves, leading to foliage destruction. The present study documents basic biological parameters of three exotic eulophid wasps in the laboratory: Semielacher petiolatus, Quadrastichus citrella and Teleopterus sp. S. petiolatus females preferred to lay eggs in the 3rd larval instar of CLM, but did not lay eggs in the 1st instar. Its development ranged from 9 to 14 days. Female longevity was 30.2±5.9 days, its daily oviposition was 12.16±0.68 eggs/day, the total number of eggs oviposited per female was 278.9±74.1, and the number of CLM larvae parasitised was 260.0±68.3. Q. citrella preferred to lay in the 3rd and 4th instar larvae, but not in the 1st instar, its development ranged from 9 to 14 days, female longevity was 40.6±1.9 days, oviposition came to 8.3±0.6 eggs/day, the total number of eggs oviposited was 281.3±64.9/female and the number of parasitised CLM larvae was 276.5±63.7. Teleopterus sp. preferred to lay eggs in the 3rd larval instar, its development required 11–17 days, female longevity was 28.7±3.8 days, its daily number of offspring was 5.2±0.38 offspring/day and with emergence of 138.9±27.7 offspring/female. This knowledge enabled us to maintain high quality cultures for their releases in Israel.     

Predation of Clitostethus arcuatus (Col.: Coccinellidae) on Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hem.: Aleyrodidae)

Greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, is a serious pest of glasshouse crops. It shows resistance to different insecticides and growers are interested in finding other useful control methods. This research was carried out to study the predation potential and biology of Clitostethus arcuatus (Rossi) as one of the most important predators of this pest. Adult C. arcuatus were reared on tobacco leaves bearing colonies of greenhouse whitefly eggs under controlled conditions (25±2°C, 65±5% RH and 16 h L:8 h D). Results showed that the average developmental time of the egg, first through fourth instar larva and pupa were 2.82±0.12, 4.47±0.14, 4.54±0.1, 6.3±0.2, 7±0.22 and 3.8±0.13 days, respectively; and longevity of female and male were 66.4±2.6 and 54.9±2.5 days, respectively. The average feeding rates of female, male and larvae (first through fourth) were 61.4±0.7, 27.6±0.9 eggs/day and 12±1.03, 30.3±2.4, 41.3±2, 68.04±2 eggs/day, respectively. The larvae consumed an average of 992.2±36 eggs during the total larval developmental period with a daily mean of 45.8±0.5. A significant difference was shown between the feeding rate of fourth instar larval stages and between sexes. Females, males and one pair of C. arcuatus (♀,♂) consumed an average of 17.2±0.4, 10.6±0.8, 23.1±0.5 nymph/day; 28.5±0.9, 20.3±0.6, 47.2±0.6 pupa/day and 8±0.3, 6.5±0.54, 13.6±0.4 adult/day, respectively. The feeding rate was significantly different among whitefly life stages. Females laid an average of 3±0.23 eggs/day.     

Biology of Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) tau (Walker) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The biology of the fruit fly Bactrocera tau, an important horticultural pest, was studied under laboratory conditions at 25°C and 60–70% relative humidity on Cucurbita maxima. The duration of mating averaged 408.03 ± 235.93 min. After mating, the female fly had a preoviposition period of 11.7 ± 4.49 days. The oviposition rate was 9.9 ± 8.50 eggs and fecundity was 464.6 ± 67.98 eggs/female. Eggs were elliptical, smooth and shiny white, turning darker as hatching approached, and measured 1.30 ± 0.07 mm × 0.24 ± 0.04 mm. The chorion has polygonal microsculpturing and is species-specific with polygonal walls. The egg period lasts for 1.3 ± 0.41 days. The duration of the larval period is 1.2 ± 0.42, 1.7 ± 0.48 and 4.0 ± 0.94 days for first, second and third instars, respectively. Pupation occurs in the sand or soil and pupal periods are 7.0 ± 0.47 days. The life cycle from egg to adult was completed in 14.2 ± 1.69 days; the longevity of mated females and males was 130.33 ± 14.18 and 104.66 ± 31.21 days, respectively. At least two to three generations were observed from June 2008 to June 2009.     

Cover Caption

The 28-spotted potato ladybeetle, Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is a major agricultural pest that primarily causes serious damage to solanaceous plants. The destructive potential of H. vigintioctopunctata is high at the larval stages. The cover photo shows that H. vigintioctopunctata third instar larva eating on the surface of eggplant leaf; it can be easily killed after ingestion of dsHvvATPase A or dsHvvATPase E (see pages xxx-xxx). Photo provided by Li-Yuan Liu.     

Occurrence and seasonal prevalence of the coconut mite, Aceria guerreronis (Eriophyidae), and associated arthropods in Oman

The coconut palm is an important crop in the sub arid coastal plain of Dhofar, Oman, for the high demand for its nut water and its use as ornamental plant. Damage of coconut fruits by the eriophyid mite Aceria guerreronis Keifer was first reported in that region in the late 1980s, but background information about the ecology of the pest in Oman was missing. Four surveys were conducted in different seasons from 2008 to 2009, to assess the distribution and prevalence of the coconut mite and its damage as well as the presence of natural enemies. Infestation by the coconut mite was conspicuous on most (99.7 %) palm trees, with 82.5 % damaged fruits. The average (±SE) density of coconut mites per fruit was 750 ± 56; this level of infestation led to the incidence of over 25 % of surface damage on more than half of the fruits. The mite appeared more abundant at the end of the cold season through the summer. No significant differences were observed between infestation levels on local varieties, hybrids and on dwarf varieties. Neoseiulus paspalivorus (De Leon), Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski & Amitai) and Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) were the predatory mites found under the bracts of over 30 % of the coconut fruits and on 68 % of the coconut trees. Considering all sampling dates and all varieties together, average (± SE) phytoseiid density was 1.4 ± 1.19 per fruit. Other mites found in the same habitat as A. guerreronis included the tarsonemids Steneotarsonemus furcatus De Leon and Nasutitarsonemus omani Lofego & Moraes. The pathogenic fungus Hirsutella thompsonii Fisher was rarely found infecting the coconut mite in Dhofar. Other fungal pathogens, namely Cordyceps sp. and Simplicillium sp., were more prevalent.     

Natural parasitism of the diamondback moth,Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lep.: Plutellidae) by a larval parasitoid wasp,Diadegma anurum on different cauliflower cultivars

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae), is the most serious pest of cauliflower fields in central Iran and its control is primarily based on pesticide sprays. Over the past years, a number of new pesticide compounds were introduced onto the market and some of them may cause adverse effects on natural populations of parasitoids associated with DBM. Excessive use of insecticides against the pest did not produce satisfactory results but has caused concerns about environmental pollution and increased pest resistance to chemicals. This research aims to study natural parasitism of pest on different cauliflower cultivars in the fields of south of Tehran. Dominant species of parasitoids include Diadegma anurum, Cotesia plutellae and Oomyzus sokolowskii. The highest parasitism rate was observed by D. anurum that was recorded on Buris cultivar (19.92?±?1.06) and White cloud cultivar (16.20?±?1.49) and the lowest parasitism rate was observed on Snow crown cultivar (3.42) and SG cultivar (5.00) during the season.     

Parasitism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spodoptera litura</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microplitis prodeniae</Emphasis> (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Spodoptera litura Fabricius is a major vegetable pest that is widely distributed throughout tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. Microplitis prodeniae Rao and Chandry is a solitary endoparasitoid of S. litura. To assess the potential use of this parasitoid as a biological control agent, the reproductive schedule, fecundity and functional response of M. prodeniae were investigated under conditions of 28 ± 1°C and 70 ± 10% relative humidity with a 14:10-h L:D photoperiod. The parasitoid’s average lifetime fecundity was 171.0 ± 10.4 eggs, of which approximately 50% were laid within the first 3 days. Additionally, M. prodeniae exhibited a Holling type II functional response, and the estimated maximum numbers of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd instar larvae that were parasitized by a single M. prodeniae female were 71.6, 78.4 and 41.5 larvae over a 24-h period, respectively. The results of this study suggest that M. prodeniae has great potential as a candidate for controlling S. litura and can guide efforts in its mass production.     

Life Cycle of Tetranychus macfarlanei Baker and Pritchard (Acari: Tetranychidae): A New Pest of Medicinal Plants in West Bengal

The life cycle of Tetranychus macfarlanei Baker and Pritchard was studied on two different medicinal plants, Clitoria ternatea L. and Justicia adhatoda L. Nees, in BOD at 32.5 °C and 75 % RH during April 2007 to May 2007. Observations towards duration of different stages like egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, adult, total life cycle, preoviposition, oviposition, postoviposition periods, longevity of female and male, and fecundity, sex ratio were recorded. Total developmental period of T. macfarlanei from egg to adult was 6.4 ± 0.37 (Mean ± SE) and 10.6 ± 0.56 days on C. ternatea and J. adhatoda, respectively. On C. ternatea, the fecundity in case of fertilized and unfertilized female were 91.6 ± 11.61 and 80 ± 21.64 eggs, respectively and longevity of fertilized and unfertilized female was 16.4 ± 1.44 and 8.6 ± 2.32 days, respectively. The corresponding figure on J. adhatoda for fecundity in case of fertilized and unfertilized female were 39 ± 2.85 and 19.8 ± 3.90 eggs, respectively and for longevity was 16 ± 0.37 and 11 ± 086 days, respectively. Among the two hosts, C. ternatea appears to be more preferred to J. adhatoda because life cycle was completed in shorter time and fecundity and female longevity were for longer duration.     

Life table parameters of large white butterfly Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) on different cabbage varieties

Effect of four different cole crops (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, Brassica oleracea var. capitata, Brassica oleracea var. italica and Brassica oleracea var. viridis) on biological parameters of the large white butterfly Pieris brassicae was evaluated at temperature 26 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% R. H. and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L:D) h. The shortest larval and pupal period stages were recorded on B. oleracea var. botrytis (22.18 ± 0.20 days) and (13.32 ± 0.17 days), respectively. The life span was longest on B. oleracea var. viridis (60.43 ± 2.34 days) and shortest on B. oleracea var. botrytis (50.19 ± 0.51 days). The highest percentage of larval and pupal mortality was observed on B. oleracea var. viridis (74%), and (53%), respectively. We found that P. brassicae prefers B. oleracea var. botrytis and B. oleracea var. capitata among cole crops; it is due to the lowest percentage of larval and pupal mortality and the highest rate of life table parameters, including survival rate (lx) and life expectancy (ex), which makes them to be susceptible varieties to this pest. Contrary, a longer developmental time on B. oleracea var. viridis may be attributed to poor nutritional status and reduced survival of the cohort, resulting in high rates of mortality, which was partial resistance to pest. Knowledge of the biology and life table parameters of P. brassicae on different cole crops could be effective in detecting and monitoring the pest infestation, variety selection and crop breeding.     

Life table parameters and capture success ratio studies of Typhlodromips swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to the factitious prey Suidasia medanensis (Acari: Suidasidae)

The predatory mite Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias–Henriot) is commonly used to suppress pest populations of thrips and whitefly in commercial greenhouses. Many generalist phytoseiid mites can be reared on astigmatid factitious prey. This study investigated the life table parameters of T. swirskii to the astigmatid mite Suidasia medanensis (Oudemans) and the capture success ratio of T. swirskii to different life stages of the prey. Juvenile development time and survival was 5.01 ± 0.10 days and 93 %, respectively. The intrinsic (r _m ) and finite (λ) rates of increase were 0.222 and 1.249, respectively, with average oviposition rate of 1.71 ± 0.07 eggs/female/day. The capture success ratio of T. swirskii to S. medanensis was: eggs > freeze killed adults > nymphs > live adults. Typhlodromips swirskii was concluded to exhibit good population growth rates with S. medanensis as prey and, a prey population with predominance of eggs and nymphs to be advantageous to the predator due to an unidentified defence mechanism of adult prey.