Biological Aspects and Life Table Parameters of Phytoseiulus macropilis and Neoseiulus Californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae), Feeding on Eggs And Immature Stages of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) at Different Temperatures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prey consumption, functional response and life table parameters of the two predatory mites on immature stages and eggs of T. urticae at two constant temperatures 25° and 30°C, in the laboratory of cotton and crops mite research department, Plant Protection Research Institute Sharkeia branch. Developmental periods (Life cycle) of both females and males individuals were longer for N. californicus when fed on immature stages of T. urticae at 25°C (7.14 , 5.79 days) for females and males, respectively. Predatory mite fecundity was affected significantly by types of food and high for P. macropilis when feeding on T. urticae eggs (63.67 eggs/ female) at 25°C; while the less fertility was 33.95 eggs/female for N. californicus when fed on T. urticae eggs at 30°C. The ability of N. californicus preying on immature stages of T. urticae was significantly greater than P. macropilis (146.24 , 92.29 prey) for female and male, respeclively. On the other hand, P. macropilis consumed more eggs than N. californicus (193.89, 132.06 prey) for female and male, respectively at 25°C. Life table parameters showed that generation time (tG) was lower (8.81 days) for P. macropilis when fed on immature stages of T. urticae at 30°C, net reproductive rate (Ro) was higher (28.65) for P. macropils when fed on eggs at 25°C, and both intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) (0.34) and finite rate of increase (λ) (1.41) were higher when fed on immature stages of T. urticae at 30°C for P. macropilis.