Effects of prey mites and pollen on the biology and life tables of Proprioseiopsis asetus (Chant) (Acari, Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Biology of the phytoseiid mite Proprioseiopsis asetus was studied under laboratory conditions. Egg hatchability was tested at three different combinations of temperature and relative humidity. A combination of 26°C and 70% RH was the most suitable condition. The number of citrus brown mite Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein) consumed by P. asetus adult females significantly decreased when date palm pollen Pheonex dactylefira L. was added to prey mite and egg production significantly increased. Total developmental time of P. asetus ranged between 3.25 and 5.33 days for males and between 3.83 and 5.46 days for females at 26°C. The percentage of female progeny in the total population ranged between 52% and 57%. A diet of E. orientalis resulted in the shortest generation time (T = 12.49 day), the shortest adult female longevity (27.25 day), the highest net reproductive rate (R(o) = 35.15 expected progeny per female), the highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (r(m) = 0.28) and also finite rate of increase (e'm = 1.33) per day. Diet of prey mite T. urticae provided the longest adult female longevity (33.08 days) and T. urticae or P. dactylefire pollen provided very close life table parameters of P. asetus. Broad mite Polyphagotarsonemus latus was the least favourable food source with results of T = 16.89 days; R(o) = 21.02 female progeny per female; r(m) = 0.18 and e'm = 1.19 per day.