Differential effects of abiotic conditions on fitness-related parameters of two Euseius species inhabiting avocado agro-ecosystems

Abstract

Temperature and relative humidity are important factors in shaping the structure and dynamics of communities composed of ectothermic species, as they directly affect fitness-related parameters and biotic interactions. In a climate change context, increased warming and dryness will likely affect arthropod communities of agro-ecosystems managed by biological pest control. In this work, we compare, at the individual level, the functional relation between temperature and relative humidity and different life-history parameters in two sister predatory mite species that inhabit Spanish avocado crops, Euseius stipulatus and E. scutalis (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). We found that negative effects of high temperature and low relative humidity were stronger in E. stipulatus than in E. scutalis. That E. scutalis tolerates very well hot and dry environments makes the species a good candidate to be considered in the future as a biocontrol agent against pests in subtropical and Mediterranean orchards.