Abstract

In this study, temperature-dependent oviposition model of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot fed by Tetranychus urticae Koch as prey was developed. In order to obtain data for the model, the longevity, fecundity and survivorship of adult females of A. swirskii were recorded at seven different temperatures (15, 20, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5 and 35 °C) all at 60±5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8h (L; D) in growth chamber. The longevity of females decreased with increasing temperature; the maximum at 15°C (84±3.24 days) and the minimum at 32.5°C (22.48±0.31 days). The female adult developmental rates (1/median longevity) was described by Sharpe and DeMichele model (r2=0.99). The highest and the lowest fecundity were observed at 25°C (22.63±0.76 eggs/female) and 15°C (9.4±0.67 eggs/female), respectively. The oviposition model comprised of three functions: temperature-dependent fecundity, age-specific cumulative oviposition rate and age-specific survival rate. The best model of temperature-dependent fecundity was described by a non-linear equation (extreme value function) (r2=0.98). Similarly, the best model of age-specific cumulative oviposition was described by the two-parameter Weibull function (r2=0.94). Eventually, the best model of age-specific survival rate was described by sigmoid function (r2=0.97). Amblyseius swirskii has ability to control pests such as thrips, whiteflies and two-spotted spider mites and can grow even in low temperatures. Therefore, this mite can be active at the beginning of spring season. Temperature-dependent oviposition model of A. swirskii can determine optimal temperature for mass-rearing and predict seasonal population dynamic of this predatory mite in greenhouses. Finally, the greenhouse data can validate this model in future.