Population growth performance of Panonychus ulmi Koch (Acarina: Tetranychidae) on different fruit trees

Abstract

The European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae) is an important pest species on deciduous plants in Turkey, especially on apple. In this study, development, survival, and reproduction of European red mite, P. ulmi were studied on different host plants under laboratory conditions (25±2 °C,% 60±10 RH and16:8 L:D photoperiod). Population performance of P. ulmi was obtained on its different host plants including apple (Malus communis L.), quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.), cherry (Prunus avium L.), and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L). The life history raw data of P. ulmi were analyzed by using the age-stage, two-sex life table. Results indicated that the highest net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase as well as the longest mean generation time, were obtained on apple cv. Starking delicious. The population projection simulated by using life tables based on the 0.025th and 0.975th bootstrap results of the finite rate of increase displayed the same trend with population growth parameters. Results suggested that apple cv. Starking Delicious was the favorable host for P. ulmi, however, there is potential for the pest to become a serious pest on other host plants tested under favorable conditions.