Diet effects on intrinsic rate of increase and rearing of Proprioseiopsis asetus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was estimated for Proprioseiopsis asetus Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on pollen and two prey species at 35°C. Cattail, Typha latifolia L., pollen and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) were equally favorable as food and superior to Tetranychus urticae Koch. More females were produced in a shorter time when P. asetus was fed E occidentalis or pollen; however, survivorship was longer when the predator was fed T. urticae. On an F. occidentalis diet, calculated rm values ranged from 0.2789 to 0.2925. The net reproductive rate was lower on a diet of T. urticae (6.48) than on pollen (9.76) or on F. occidentalis (21.39). The finite rate of increase was lower on T. urticae (1.1868) than on pollen (1,3274) or F. occidentalis (1.3398). The mean generation time was similar on the three diets. That the data reported here were collected at 35°C makes it remarkable. P. asetus may have great potential as a biological control agent of arthropods, especially thrips under climatic conditions of high temperatures such as in protected culture. © 2008 Entomological Society of America.