Heidarian, M., Fathipor, Y. & Sedaratian-jahromi, A. (2020) Biological traits of acarophagous thrips, Scolothrips longicornis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Schizotetranychus smirnovi (Acari: Tetranychidae): Application of female age-specific and age-stage, two-sex life tables. Systematic & Applied Acarology, 25(3), 512–524.

The surname of the second author should be corrected as:Yaghoub Fathipour

Effects of photoperiod on development and demographic parameters of the predatory thrips Scolothrips longicornis fed on Tetranychus urticae

The effect of five photoperiods (0:24, 6:18; 12:12, 18:6, and 24:0 light:dark (L:D)) on the development, reproduction, and survival of the predatory thrips Scolothrips longicornis Priesner fed on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, was tested under laboratory conditions at 60% RH and 25°C. Development time of almost all immature stages in S. longicornis was the shortest under long day lengths (18:6 and 24:0 L:D). The adult duration of both sexes decreased with increasing light length from 6 to 24 h. The longevity of male and female decreased with increasing light length. Under a 12:12 L:D photoperiod, S. longicornis females had the longest oviposition period and longevity, highest net reproductive rate (R0 = 15.37), intrinsic rate of natural increase (r = 0.141), and finite rate of increase (λ = 1.151). Life table parameters showed a significant difference with various photoperiods. The consequences of the present research demonstrated that a 12:12 L:D photoperiod is the most favorable for the reproduction and development of S. longicornis fed on T. urticae, and that for mas rearing for augmentative biological control programs, would be the ideal photoperiod to maximize production.

Biological traits of acarophagous thrips, Scolothrips longicornis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Schizotetranychus smirnovi (Acari: Tetranychidae): Application of female age-specific and age-stage, two-sex life tables

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.