Effects of host plant and temperature on growth and reproduction of the strawberry spider mite Tetranychus turkestani Ugarov & Nikolski (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Abstract

Abstract Tetranychus turkestani collected in Ahwaz, Iran, was reared on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), green gram (Vigna radiata) and pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) at 25 and 30°C. Data were collected on preimaginal developmental period, preimaginal mortality, adult longevity and fecundity. Mean developmental periods (days) were 7.0–12.1 on cowpea, 6.9–11.7 on green gram and 6.7–10.8 on pinto bean. Major mortality occurred during the nymphal stage, followed by larval and egg stages. Immature mortality was 18.6–21.6% on cowpea, 11.6–28.5% on green gram and 38.3–42.1% on pinto bean. Adult longevity was greater on cowpea than green gram and pinto bean, greater for females than males, and decreased with increasing temperature. Mean total fecundity ranged from 36.3–90.5 eggs/female. Sex ratio ranged from 0.8–0.91 (female). The intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was 0.23–0.32 on cowpea, 0.24–0.28 on green gram, and 0.19–0.27 on pinto bean. Generation times decreased from 16.3–10.2 days with increasing temper...