Role of four Phytoseiid mite species and Acarophagous Ladybird, Stetlrorus gilvifrons (Mulsant) as Bioagents of the Two Spotted Spider Mite Tetranychus urticae Koch

Abstract

Predaceous insects and mites are important biological control agents of the two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch. Biology and life table parameters of Stethorus gilvifrons Mulsant, Phytoseiulus persimilis A.-H., Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oud.), Typhlodromips swirskii (A.-H.) and Euseius scutalis A.-H. fed on T. urticae immatures was studied at 28±1°C. Their female life cycle and life span averaged 17.66, 5.80, 4.40, 6.26 & 6.26 days and 47.60, 19.13, 38.00, 43.20 & 23.93 days, respectively. During its life span, average female fed on 1647.13, 343.53, 353.53, 345.66 & 200.33 with a daily rate 34.60, 17.96, 9.30, 8.00 and 8.37 T. urticae immatures respectively. The net rate of natural increase (rm) and the finite rate of increase (erm) of the aforementioned predators were 0.139, 0.294, 0.349, 0.261 & 0.229; and 1.15, 1.34, 1.41, 1.29 & 1.25, respectively. These of T. urticae were 0.222 and 1.24, respectively.