Biology of Allothrombium pulvinum Ewing (Acari: Trombidiidae) in West Mazandran, Iran

Allothrombium pulvinum Ewing is a common natural enemy of aphids and other arthropods in Iran. It is univoltine in Iran. The eggs hatch in spring, nymphs emerge in early summer and adults appear in autumn. Larvae are ectoparasites of aphids whereas deutonymphs and adults are free-living predators of aphids and spider mites. Adults hibernate in the soil and in cracks of tree trunks during winter. When spring comes, females lay eggs in the soil, on the soil surface and on weeds. Phytoseius plumifer (Phytoseiidae) was observed to be phoretic on deutonymphs of A. pulvinum on nettle trees (Celtis australis). In the laboratory, development from the egg to adult stage takes at least 107 days at 25±1°C. Soil is not essential for female oviposition. High humidity is the most important factor for oviposition and development in A. pulvinum.