Winter survival and reproduction of Amblyseius longispinosus (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a potential predator of spider mites on roses in Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Amblyseius longispinosus is an effective predator for the control of two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, on roses. It feeds on all stages of the spider mite but it prefers nymphs and adults to eggs. The predatory mites were kept under laboratory conditions on excised, mite-infested rose leaves. Under winter conditions (T-min 0.5-5.9 degrees C, T-max 18.4-22.7 degrees C, 20-91\% relative humidity), the predatory mite completed egg-to-adult development in 8.8 days. Egg, larva, protonymph, and deutonymph stages took 3.8, 1.3, 1.7, and 2.0 days, respectively, and adults survived for 19.4 days. Within 2 days after emergence of the adults, mating took place, each copulation lasting only 7-8 min. Mean fecundity was 11.2 eggs per female and all eggs hatched successfully. Thus, A. longispinosus, can survive and reproduce under winter conditions prevailing mid-hill in Himachal Pradesh. It may therefore be a candidate for control of two-spotted spider mites in areas with a temperate climate in India.