Effect of different prey species on the development and fecundity of the predacious mite, Amblyseius gossipi (Acarina: Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Under laboratory conditions of approximately 26.5–28.5° and 60–70% RH, the immature stages of the female Amblyseius gossipi Elbadry were completed in 2.9, 3.5 and 4.1 days when developed on Oligonychus mangiferus (R. & P.), Eutetranychus orientalis (Klein) and Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) respectively. Mean adult longevity for mated females developing on the same prey species were 22.4, 22.9 and 27.3 days. The preoviposition period for A. gossipi developing on either O. mangiferus or E. orientalis was almost invariably 1.8 days, whereas it reached 2.3 days for those reared on T. cinnabarinus. Fecundity of females developing on O. mangiferus, T. cinnabarinus, and E. orientalis was 48.7, 35.7, and 33.6; with an average daily reproductive rate of 3.1, 2.0 and 1.8 respectively. The food provided consisted of all living stages of each prey species confined to the predator on excised broad bean leaves placed in Petri dishes as rearing cages.