The effects of Spiromesifen on life history traits and demographic parameters of predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) and its prey Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Estimating sublethal effects of acaricides on phytoseiid mites and their prey as a reliable approach in predicting the acaricides impacts is mandatory for IPM programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of spiromesifen on life history traits and demographic parameters of the offspring of Neoseiulus californicus and Tetranychus urticae under laboratory conditions [25 ± 2ºC, 70 ± 5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h]. The experiments were conducted based on the leaf-dip technique. The crude data were analysed based on age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. The pre-adult and adult longevity of both sexes significantly reduced for N. califonicus and T. urticae with the concentration enhancing from LC20 to LC35. In addition, the oviposition period for both species significantly decreased as a consequence of treatment with LC25 and LC35 of spiromesifen. The minimal values of the total fecundity for N. califonicus and T. urticae were 16.58 and 19.35 (offspring/individual), respectively, which was related to LC35 concentration. Further, the lowest values of R0 and GRR of N. califonicus and its prey were 48.88 and 31.14 (offspring/individual) in LC35, respectively. However, the intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were not significantly influenced by sublethal concentration in N. californicus while the r and λ were significantly reduced in T. urticae treated by LC20, LC25 and LC35. Therefore, spiromesifen could profoundly decrease the population growth rate of T. urticae but can not be considered as a compatible acaricide with N. califonicus because of its negative effect on the longevity, total lifespan, and reproductive periods and should not be used with this predatory mite in integrated pest management programs.