Effects of temperature on life table parameters ofAgistemus exsertusGonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae) and its attack rate onPanonychus citrieggs

Abstract

Abstract The effects of temperature on life table parameters of Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez were studied using Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) eggs as a single food source at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C. The mean length of a generation (T) was 35.9, 18.1, 14.5, 11.4, and 12.6 days, respectively. Average number of eggs produced per female was 66.0, 69.0, 46.5, 25.5, and 18.8 at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C. More than 70% of the A. exsertus eggs developed to adults when they were maintained at temperatures between 20 and 35°C compared with only 41% at 15°C. The highest net reproductive rate (Ro = 25.30) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm = 0.2288) were obtained at 20 and 25°C, respectively. The lowest Ro and rm values were 11.98 and 0.0690 at 35 and 15°C. When citrus red mite eggs were provided as prey for A. exsertus adult females at 10, 20, 30, and 40°C, the attack rate (E-) decreased with an increasing number of prey eggs. Significant decreases in E- were observed at 20 and 30°C compa...