Effect of temperature on development and reproduction of Proprioseiopsis asetus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on asparagus thrips, Thrips tabaci

• Published in: Experimental & applied acarology 2014-10, Vol.64 (2), p.235-244
• Main Authors: Huang, Jian Hua, Freed, Shoaib, Wang, Li Si, Qin, Wen Jing, Chen, Hong Fan, Qin, Hou Guo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acari; Aging; Animal Ecology; Animal Genetics and Genomics; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Animals; Asparagus; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Entomology; Fecundity; Female; Females; heat sums; immatures; Life Sciences; Male; mites; Mites - physiology; Offspring; oviposition; Pest Control, Biological; pests; Phytoseiidae; Predatory Behavior; progeny; Sex ratio; survival rate; Temperature; Thripidae; Thrips tabaci; Thysanoptera; Thysanoptera - physiology
• ISSN: 0168-8162; 1572-9702
• DOI: 10.1007/s10493-014-9819-6

Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is one of the most important pests of asparagus in China. In this study the effects of five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) on the growth, survivorship and reproduction of Proprioseiopsis asetus (Chant) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on T. tabaci was examined under laboratory conditions. Development time of immatures decreased with increasing temperature. The lower egg-to-adult developmental threshold (T ₀) and thermal constant (K) of P. asetus were estimated at 15.2 °C and 75.8 degree days by means of a linear model. Fertilized females fed on T. tabaci produced offspring of both sexes, whereas the offspring sex ratio [♀/(♀ + ♂)] of P. asetus at 20–35 °C was female-biased (0.68–0.78) and not significantly influenced by temperature. Survivorship during immature development was significantly influenced by temperature, and was especially low at 15 °C. Pre- and post-oviposition periods of fertilized females shortened with the increase in temperature. The longest oviposition period was 20.4 days, at 25 °C, whereas at 15 °C the mites did not reproduce. Maximum average life time fecundity and mean daily fecundity was recorded at 25 and 35 °C, respectively; the intrinsic rate of increase ranged from 0.05 (20 °C) to 0.17 (35 °C). The results indicate the capability of P. asetus to develop and reproduce at a broad range of temperatures, especially above 25 °C, which can be used for better management of T. tabaci in asparagus.