Active and frozen host mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) influence the mass production of the predatory mite Blattisocius mali (Acari: Blattisociidae): life table analysis

Author(s):  
Fatemeh Pirayeshfar ◽  
Seyed Ali Safavi ◽  
Hamid Reza Sarraf-moayeri ◽  
Gerben J Messelink

Blattisocius mali (Oudemans) is a candidate predatory mite on some astigmatid mite pests like Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank). In current study, life table parameters of B. mali were comparatively evaluated when fed on mixed life stages, frozen (one day at -20°C) and cold stored (90 days at -20°C and 4°C) eggs of T. putrescentiae. The highest and lowest values of fecundity, total longevity, oviposition period, life span and adult longevity of B. mali were observed when the predator provided with one-day and 90-days frozen eggs (stored at 4°C) of T. putrescentiae, respectively. Moreover, the highest values of net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) of B. mali were obtained by feeding on one-day frozen eggs (23.94 offspring/individual, 0.332 day-1, 1.39 day-1, respectively), without significant differences from the predators reared on alive mixed stages of T. putrescentiae. However, the lowest values of R0 (1.54 offspring/individual), r (0.058 day-1) and λ (1.06 day-1) were recorded when B. mali was reared on 90-days frozen eggs (stored at 4°C). The results, as first evidence of life-history of B. mali, represent not only the potential of the predator as suitable biological control agent against T. putrescentiae, but also the possibility of its mass production by frozen host stages. Provision of one-day frozen eggs of T. putrescentiae were the best choice for B. mali survival and reproduction with no harmful effects of living stages (direct damage, frass and exuviae) on crop.

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 482
Author(s):  
Modesto del Pino ◽  
Juan Ramón Gallego ◽  
Estrella Hernández Suárez ◽  
Tomás Cabello

Trichogramma achaeae Nagaraja and Nagarkatti (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is currently used as biological control agent for several lepidopteran pests. Knowledge of thermal requirements is essential to optimize its rearing procedures and inundative releases. The biological characteristics and two-sex life table parameters of T. achaeae were determined at five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) using Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs. T. achaeae was able to develop and survive from 15 °C to 30 °C, but not at 35 °C. Temperature significantly affected the preadult development time and adult longevity, decreasing when temperature increased from 15 °C to 30 °C. Temperature significantly altered the sex ratio, being female biased between 15 °C and 25 °C. Age-stage, two-sex life table analysis indicated that net reproductive rate (R0) was highest at 20 °C. Both the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) increased with increasing temperature, while the mean generation time (T) decreased significantly. In addition, functional response of T. achaeae was studied, being significantly affected by temperature and host egg density, displaying a Holling type-I at 15 °C and a Holling type-II at 25 °C. The relevance of these results is discussed for the use of T. achaeae as biological control agent.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khalid Abbas ◽  
Muhammad Shah Zaib ◽  
Muhammad Zakria ◽  
Umm-e -Hani ◽  
Syed Muhammad Zaka ◽  
...  

AbstractLadybird beetle, Menochilus sexmaculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is biological control agent that predate the different aphid species. Both adults and larval stage of M. sexmaculatus feed on aphid species. In this experiment Life table and predation data were collected for M. sexmaculatus feed on four different aphid species Lipaphis erysimi, Myzus persicae, Aphis nerii and Diuraphis noxia. This experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions at 25±2°C, 60±5% RH and L14: D10 h. Different numbers of aphid were provided as a pray in petri dish. The pre-adult development duration of M. sexmaculatus was maximum when fed on M. persicae (12.18 d) and minimum on D. noxia (10.64 d). Similarly, male and female duration was maximum on M. persicae (26.7 d), minimum on L. erysimi (23.67 d) in male and in female maximum on D. noxia (28.00 d), minimum on A. nerii (24.33 d). Net reproductive rate (Ro) range from 117.9 on L. erysimi to 99.55 on M. persicae and intrinsic rate of increase (r) range was 0.21197 d−1 on A. nerii to 0.021559 d−1 on D. noxia. The finite rate of increase (λ) range was 1.240592 d−1 on D. noxia to 1.204918 d−1 on M. persicae, the mean of generation (T) range was 24.68 d−1 on M. persicae to 22.476 d−1 on A. nerii, similarly, the gross reproductive rate (GRR) range was 172.2 d−1 on D. noxia to 115.02 d−1 on M. persicae and Fecundity (F) eggs per female range was 316.8 on D. noxia to 199.1 on M. persicae. In present Study, age-stage two-sex life table gives complete understanding of predator biological aspects against different aphid species. This study will help us to improve mass rearing and use of M. sexmaculatus in biological control of aphids.


Acarologia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-61
Author(s):  
Samah Ben Chaaban ◽  
Brahim Chermiti ◽  
Serge Kreiter

The old world date mite Oligonychus afrasiaticus is an important spider mite pest of the date palms Phoenix dactylifera L. mostly in North Africa and the Middle East. A population of the predaceous mite Typhlodromus (Anthoseius) athenas has been recently found in Tunisia in association with a decrease of O. afrasiaticus densities. The objective of this paper was to assess the development and reproduction abilities of T. ( A.) athenas on O. afrasiaticus under laboratory conditions at two temperatures: 27 and 32 °C. The results obtained show that females of T. (A.) athenas develop in 5 days at 27 °C and 4.1 days at 32 °C. The mean fecundity of T. (A.) athenas was 32.1 and 23.2 eggs per female at 27 and 32 °C, respectively. Life table parameters were stimated: the net reproductive rate (Ro) 27.9 and 17.9 eggs/female, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) 0.322 and 0,344 female/female/day and the mean generation time (T) 10.3 and 8.4 days at 27 and 32 °C, respectively. At both temperatures tested, T. (A.) athenas intrinsic rate of increase was greater than that of O. afrasiaticus (rm = 0.213 at 32 °C,against rm = 0.166 day1 at 27 °C). Typhlodromus (A.) athenas would be able to develop at a wide range of temperatures feeding on O. afrasiaticus and seems to be able to potentially control it.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1373-1383
Author(s):  
Zarir Saeidi ◽  
Alireza Nemati ◽  
Elham Riahi

In the current study, development, reproduction, and longevity of Schizotetranychus smirnovi Wainstein concerning seven different temperatures including 13±1, 15±1, 20± 1, 25±1, 27±1, 30 ±1 and 35 ±1°C, relative humidity 50 ± 10 % and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h. were investigated. Due to mite inability to settle on leaf disk, almond young branches were used for conducting life table experiments. Our results indicated that higher and lower temperatures caused a steeper decline in survivorship. The highest survival rate was observed at 25 and 27°C. The mean total development time was significantly decreased with increasing the temperatures; while adult longevity for both female and males significantly decreased. Furthermore, offspring production did not occur at 35°C. The highest values of the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were 0.2563 and 1.2922 d-1 at 27°C, while their lowest values were obtained at 13°C. Again high temperature (30°C) caused a decline in both the reproductive rate and growth rate of this mite species. The longest mean generation time (T) (58.55 d) was at 13 °C and it declined significantly with increasing temperature. The most striking result emerging from our data is that 27°C is the most desirable temperature for not only development but also the reproduction of S. smirnovi. Finally, our obtained information provides a better understanding of the life history of S. smirnovi and its ability to survive and reproduce under different temperature regimes which can be used in the management of this pest.


Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
Weiwei Sun ◽  
Miao Cui ◽  
Liyuan Xia ◽  
Qing Yu ◽  
Yang Cao ◽  
...  

Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans is a predatory mite inhabiting grain depots in China. The relationship between temperature and the population growth rate of C. malaccensis is useful for predicting its population dynamics. Age-stage, two-sex life tables of the predator, C. malaccensis, reared on Acarus siro were constructed under laboratory conditions at 22, 24, 28, 30, and 32 °C, 75% relative humidity, and a 0:24 h (L:D) photoperiod. Increasing temperature shortened the development time of the immature stages. The complete generation time of C. malaccensis ranged from 11.10 d to 27.50 d. Life table parameters showed that 28 °C was the optimum temperature for the growth and development of C. malaccensis; populations could increase rapidly at this temperature. The highest net reproductive rate (R0 = 290.25) and highest fecundity (544.52) occurred at 28 °C. Temperature significantly affected the intrinsic rate of increase (r), fecundity, and finite rate of increase (λ). The values of age-specific fecundity (high to low) were 28 °C > 24 °C > 30 °C > 32 °C > 22 °C, while the values of age-stage-specific fecundity had the same trend.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 512-524
Author(s):  
Marjan Heidarian ◽  
Yaghoub Fathipor ◽  
Amin Sedaratian-jahromi

Schizotetranychus smirnovi Wainstein is an important phytophagous pest of almond trees which causes serious damage in southwestern Iran. Scolothrips longicornis Priesner has been considered as an efficient predatory thrips that feeds on this spider mite and hence its efficiency for controlling S. smirnovi should be evaluated. In the current study, all main biological parameters of S. longicornis fed on S. smirnovi were determined under laboratory conditions. Data analysis was performed using both female age-specific and age-stage, two-sex life table theories. Duration of incubation, larval, pre-pupal, pupal and pre-adult periods of male predators were 4.73, 3.18, 1.05, 1.86 and 10.82 days, respectively. These periods in female individuals lasted 4.57, 3.92, 1.04, 1.87 and 11.00 days, respectively. Our findings showed that each female laid an average of 62.74 eggs during its ovipositional period (13.61 days). Using the age-stage, two-sex life table, the values of the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and mean generation time (T) were estimated to be 26.236 (eggs/individual), 0.171 (day-1), 1.186 (day-1) and 19.130 (days), respectively. Using the female age-specific life table, these parameters had different values. Our findings revealed that S. longicornis has a reliable capability to increase its population by feeding on S. smirnovi. This information can expand our knowledge for assessing biological efficiency of this predatory thrips in sustainable management of the destructive mite pest. 


2014 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 723-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
DÉBORA G. MONTEZANO ◽  
ALEXANDRE SPECHT ◽  
DANIEL R. SOSA-GÓMEZ ◽  
VÂNIA F. ROQUE-SPECHT ◽  
TARCISO M. BORTOLIN ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the biotic potential, life table parameters and fertility of Spodoptera albula (Walker, 1857) under controlled conditions (25 ± 1°C, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hour photo phase). The longevity, pre, post and oviposition periods, fecundity and fertility of 13 couples were evaluated. The longevity of females (13.500 days) was significantly higher than those of males (11.154 days). The mean durations of the pre, post and oviposition periods were 2.615, 1.769 and 9.385 days, respectively. The mean fecundity was 1.417.69 eggs and mean fertility was 1.340.401 larvae, per female. On average, females copulated 1, 231 times. A strong positive correlation was observed between the number of copulations and fecundity (r = 0.847, p <0.001), as well as a strong negative correlation between the number of copulations and the duration of the pre-oviposition period (r = -0.762, p = 0.002), and longevity (r = -0.788, p = 0.001). The biotic potential of S. albula was estimated at 8.768 x 1022 individuals / female / year. The net reproductive rate (Ro) was 353,904 times per generation and the mean generation time (T) was 37.187 days. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 1,105, with a finite rate of increase (λ) of 3,019.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Ganjisaffar ◽  
Thomas M. Perring

The predatory mite, Galendromus flumenis (Chant) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), has shown promising traits for biological control of Banks grass mite, the major pest of date palms in California. In the present study, reproduction and population growth parameters of G. flumenis on Banks grass mite eggs were studied at 34ºC, 50±10% RH and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L: D) hours. 100 percent of eggs hatched and 63.5 percent of the emerged larvae survived to adulthood. The total immature developmental time was 5.7 and 5.5 days for females and males, respectively. The sex ratio of G. flumenis was 0.70 (females/ females+ males). Mated females laid on average 1.6 eggs per day and 19.9 eggs during their mean ovipositional period of 12.5 days. The net reproductive rate (R0) was 11.5 females/ female/ generation, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) was 0.200 females/ female/ day, the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.222 population multiplication/ day, the mean generation time (T) was 12.2 days, and the doubling time (DT) was 3.5 days. The lower rm value of G. flumenis than that of its prey (0.24–0.48) explains why Banks grass mite escapes control by G. flumenis in field. These results suggest that augmentative release of this predator would offset the lower rm of the predator, thereby contributing to the control of Banks grass mite. Combined with the benefit of early releases determined in companion studies, future field studies with G. flumenis are being planned.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Jafarbeigi ◽  
Mohammad Amin Samih ◽  
Mehdi Zarabi ◽  
Saeideh Esmaeily

The sweetpotato whitefly,Bemisia tabaci(Genn.) (Hem.: Aleyrodidae), is an important pest of agriculture in subtropical and tropical areas. In this study, we used the age-stage two-sex life table to evaluate the sublethal effects of the herbal extracts taken fromFumaria parvifloraLam. (Fumariaceae),Teucrium poliumL. (Lamiaceae),Calotropis procera(Willd.) R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae), andThymus vulgarisL. (Lamiaceae) as well as the two commercial synthetic insecticides, pymetrozin and neemarin. The whiteflies were exposed to each insecticide using leaf-dip method. Analysis of life table parameters revealed significant differences (P≤0.05) in the net reproductive rate (R0,NRR), intrinsic rate of increase (rm), and finite rate of increase (λ) among different insecticides. The lowest values of the three population parameters,R0,r, andλ, were observed on whiteflies treated with pymetrozin (2.455, 0.036, and 1.036),T. polium(2.828, 0.044, and 1.045), and neemarin (2.998, 0.046, and 1.047), respectively. Results of this study highlights the satisfactory insecticidal effects of the extract taken fromT. poliumonB. tabaci, which is comparable to the two commonly used synthetic insecticides.


Author(s):  
Wen Xie ◽  
Junrui Zhi ◽  
Jiaqin Ye ◽  
Yeming Zhou ◽  
Cao Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith), or fall armyworm, is one of major migratory agricultural pests with a wide range of hosts. The effect of different hosts (maize and kidney bean) on the growth and reproduction of S. frugiperda were investigated using the age-stage, two-sex life table method. Results The results showed that S. frugiperda could complete its entire life cycle on both hosts, albeit with significantly different development and reproduction. The durations of larval and pupal development were significantly prolonged whereas adult lifespan was shortened on kidney bean compared to maize. The differences of survival rates at each instar, prepupal and pupal stages between the two hosts were not statistically significant. The total pre-oviposition period was longer on kidney bean than that on maize (42.05 vs 39.04 days), but there was no difference in the oviposition rate (64.77 on kidney bean vs 62.48 on maize). The differences of net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase and finite rate of increase were nonsignificant, while the mean generation time on kidney bean (42.05 days) was significantly longer than that on maize (40.92 days). Conclusions The results indicate that S. frugiperda can grow and reproduce normally on both hosts, although maize is more suitable. Nonetheless, the data show that this pest is harmful when the population density is high or when the preferred host is scarce. Graphic abstract


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