Efecto de la humedad relativa en la viabilidad de huevos de Neoseiulus sp. y Proprioseiopsis iorgius (Acari: Phytoseiidae) en condiciones de laboratorio

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the tolerance of Neoseiulus sp. and Proprioseiopsis iorgius Karg (Acari: Phytoseiidae) eggs exposed to different humidities expressed as relative humidity (RH, %) and as vapour pressure deficit (VPD, hPa) [6,4% (29,6 hPa); 9,2% (28,8 hPa); 35,0% (20,6 hPa); 37,1% (19,9 hPa) y 80,0% (6,3 hPa)]. The tests were conducted at a temperature of 25±0,5 °C and a photoperiod of 14:10 h (L:D). The eclosion percentage of larvae was measured at 12 h, 24 h, 36 h, 48 h and 60 h. The results showed a high tolerance of Neoseiulus sp. eggs to low relative humidity with an mean hatching humidity (RH50) of 34,5% (20,6 hPa); instead P. iorgius showed an RH50 of 72,4% (8,8 hPa). The total eclosion percentage for Neoseiulus sp. was 0,0%; 0,0%; 55,2%; 73,3%; 100,0% according to evaluated humidities and P. iorgius only showed results for 80,0% RH and was of 91,67% (at humidities between 6,4% and 37,1% were non-viable eggs). Complementary studies of Neoseiulus sp. in the future may shed light on its potential as a biological control agent of plant-feeding spider mites of crops in the desert of northern Chile.