Life history traits and demographic parameters of Typhlodromus transvaalensis reared on three eriophyid species (Acari: Phytoseiidae: Eriophyidae)

ABSTRACT

Typhlodromus transvaalensis is a generalist predatory mite with economic potential to control eriophyid mites in various fruit trees. Developmental times were significantly longer on Aculus fockeui and Calepitrimerus baileyi than on Aceria dioscoridis. Females of T. transvaalensis presented the shortest oviposition period (20.39 days) and adult longevity (28.96 days) on C. baileyi, while having the longest periods on A. dioscoridis (29.77 and 36.17 days). Total fecundity of females offered A. dioscoridis (39.90 eggs/female) was highest, followed by A. fockeui (27.12 eggs/female) and was lowest on C. baileyi (23.26 eggs/female). The intrinsic rates of increase (r) were higher on A. dioscoridis (0.225 females/female/day) than on A. fockeui (0.175 females/female/day) and C. baileyi (0.168 females/female/day). The generation time (T) was statistically similar on A. fockeui (17.788 days) and C. baileyi (17.501 days) and longest, while was shortest on A. dioscoridis (15.711 days). The net reproductive rate (R0) and the gross reproductive rate (GRR) were highest on A. dioscoridis (34.457 eggs/individual and 35.390 eggs/individual), whereas the lowest values were obtained on C. baileyi (19.107 eggs/individual and 19.500 eggs/individual). The results suggest that T. transvaalensis is a promising control agent for A. fockeui and C. baileyi on pear and apple trees.

KEYWORDS:

• Biology
• Aculus fockeui
• Aceria dioscoridis
• Calepitrimerus baileyi
• life table
• banker plant

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).