نامه انجمن حشرهشناسی ایران (Aug 2010)
Influence of three diets on development and oviposition of the predatory mite, Amblyseius herbicolus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) under laboratory conditions
Abstract
The predatory phytoseiid mite, Amblyseius herbicolus Chant has been collected from mulberry trees infested with two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch and mulberry thrips, Pseudodendrothrips mori (Niwa) in Guilan province. Development and oviposition of this predatory mite was studied on two-spotted spider mite, mulberry thrips and date palm pollen as an alternative food in laboratory using the citrus excised leaf method in Petri dishes at 26 ± 1°C, 14L: 10D photoperiod and 70-80% RH. The results indicated that, mean duration of immature stages (day) of female predatory mite was the lowest on P. mori (4.86 ï± 0.19) and T. urticae (5.26 ï± 0.15) and the highest on date palm pollen (7.46 ï± 0.21). Fecundity (eggs/female) was the highest on P. mori (48.2 ï± 1.85) then on T. urticae (36.2 ï± 1.9) and the lowest on date palm pollen (19.13 ï± 1.72). Oviposition period (day) was the highest on P. mori (20.86 ï± 051) and T. urticae (20.33 ï± 1.19) and the lowest on date palm pollen (16.06 ï± .97). Lowest post-oviposition period (day) was on T. urticae (3.13 ï± 0.19) followed by date palm pollen (4.37 ï± 0.28) and then on P. mori (5.6 ï± 0.27). The mean generation time (day) of predatory mite was the longest on palm pollen (9.86 ï± 0.21), followed by mulberry thrips (7.13 ï± 0.21) and then two-spotted spider mite (6.86 ï± 0.16). Based on these results, A. herbicolus is a general predator. The date palm pollen may variously be used as an alternative food in absence of main food.
