Reproductive parameters of Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) fed with Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae) in laboratory/Parâmetros reprodutivos de Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks) predando Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae) em laboratório

• Published in: Brazilian journal of biology Vol. 77; no. 1; p. 162
• Main Authors: Souza-Pimentel, G C, Reis, P R, Bonatto, C R, Alves, J P, Siqueira, M F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: São Carlos Instituto Internacional de Ecologia 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Abamectin; Agricultural management; Agronomy; Animal behavior; Artificial environments; Attacking (assaulting); Biological control; Biology; Coffee; Crops; Cultivation; Damage; Entomology; Environmental conditions; Experiments; Fertility; Fruits; Greenhouses; Laboratories; Life history; Longevity; Mail; Mites; Natural enemies; Ornamental plants; Pesticides; Pests; Plant protection; Plants (botany); Population; Population growth; Preservation; Referencing; Relative humidity; Temperature; Temperature effects; Brazil
• ISSN: 1519-6984; 1678-4375
• DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.13115

Predatory mites that belong to the Phytoseiidae family are one of the main natural enemies of phytophagous mites, thus allowing for their use as a biological control. Phytoseiulus macropilis (Banks, 1904) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is among the main species of predatory mites used for this purpose. Tetranychus urticae Koch, 1836 (Acari: Tetranychidae) is considered to be one of the most important species of mite pests and has been described as attacking over 1,100 species of plants in 140 families with economic value. The objective of the present study was to investigate, in the laboratory, the reproductive parameters of the predatory mite P. macropilis when fed T. urticae. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 2 °C of temperature, 70 ± 10% RH and 14 hours of photophase. In addition, biological aspects were evaluated and a fertility life table was established. The results of these experiments demonstrated that the longevity of adult female was 27.5 days and adult male was 29.0 days. The population was estimated to increase approximately 27 times (R^sub o^) in mean generation time (T), which was 17.7 days. Lastly, the mite population grew 1.2 times/day (λ) and doubled every 3.7 days (TD).