Life tables of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus longipes feeding on Tetranychus evansi at four temperatures (Acari: Phytoseiidae, Tetranychidae)

Abstract

The tomato red spider mite, Tetranychus evansi, is reported as a severe pest of tomato and other solanaceous crops from Africa, from Atlantic and Mediterranean Islands, and more recently from the south of Europe (Portugal, Spain and France). A population of the predaceous mite Phytoseiulus longipes has been recently found in Brazil in association with T. evansi. The objective of this paper was to assess the development and reproduction abilities of this strain on T. evansi under laboratory conditions at four temperatures: 15, 20, 25 and 30 degrees C. The duration of the immature phase ranged from 3.1 to 15.4 days, at 30 and 15 degrees C, respectively. Global immature lower thermal threshold was 12.0 degrees C. Immature survival was high at all temperatures tested (minimum of 88% at 30 degrees C). The intrinsic rate of increase (r (m)) of P. longipes ranged from 0.091 to 0.416 female/female/day, at 15 and 30 degrees C, respectively. P. longipes would be able to develop at a wide range of temperatures feeding on T. evansi and has the potential to control T. evansi populations.