Effects of temperature on life table parameters of a newly described phytoseiid predator, Neoseiulus neoagrestis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae)

Abstract

The predatory mite, Neoseiulus neoagrestis Khaustov and Döker (Acari: Phytoseiidae), recently described as new species for science, but seems to have a great potential to be used in biological control. In this study, as a first step to determine the optimum temperature (between three temperatures tested) for its mass rearing, we studied its biological characteristics and life table parameters fed on Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae) at three different temperatures (20, 25, and 30 °C) under laboratory conditions. Results show that immature development, oviposition period as well as reproductive potential of this predator are significantly vary depending on the temperature. The immature developmental times and adult longevity for females, are ranged between 5.42 to 10.42 days and 39.88 to 74.12 days, based on the temperature, respectively. Average total number of eggs laid by per female at 25 °C (62.29) and 30 °C (58.65) are more or less similar but higher than that determined at 20 °C (41.46). The highest net reproductive rate (R₀) is 29.066 (offspring/individual) at 25 °C. In addition, the highest intrinsic rate of natural increase (r) is 0.241 day^-1 at 30 °C. Furthermore, the highest finite rate of increase (λ = 1.272 day^-1), and the shortest mean generation time (T = 13.416 days) and doubling time (DT = 2.874 days) are also determined at 30 °C. Our results demonstrate that N. neoagrestis successfully completed immature development, and can survive and reproduce at all tested temperatures. Nevertheless, a series of biological characteristics of this predator are differentially affected by the temperature. Finally, 25 °C and 30 °C seems to be more suitable for mass rearing of this predator on T . putrescentiae. Further studies should be conducted to determine biological characteristics and life table parameters of N. neoagrestis on several important pests such as spider mites, whiteflies and thrips.