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Agistemus exsertus (Acari: Stigmaeidae) predation on insects: life history and feeding habits on three different insect eggs (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae and Gelechiidae)

Momen, F.M. and El-Sawi, S.A.


2006 - Volume: 46 Issue: 3-4 pages: 203-209


Keywords

Acari Gelechiidae Lepidoptera Noctuidae Stigmaeidae

Abstract

Life history and reproductive parameters of the predatory mite Agistemus exsertus were studied, to evaluate its potential as a predator of Agrotis ipsilon, Spodoptera littoralis and Phthorimaea operculella eggs as an alternative food substance in the laboratory. Total developmental time of the immature stages was the shortest on eggs of S. littoralis and A. ipsilon, followed by P. operculella. Fecundity was highest on S. littoralis eggs (68.9 eggs; 3.4 eggs/female/day), then A. ipsilon eggs (49.9 eggs; 2.5 eggs/female/day) and lowest on P. operculella eggs (4.9 eggs; 0.6 egg/female/day). Intrinsic rate of increase (rm), net reproductive rate (Ro) and finite rate of increase (lambda) followed the same pattern, S. littoralis (0.21, 44.07 and 1.23, respectively), A. ipsilon (0.18, 30.37 and 1.20, respectively) and P operculella (0.03, 2.29 and 1.04). Mean generation time (days) was the shortest on S. littoralis eggs (17.89), followed by A. ipsilon eggs (18.91) and then P. operculella eggs (20.78). The sex ratio of the progeny was strongly female biased (female: male = 1.8: 1 and 1.5: 1) when both noctuid eggs were provided.

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Article editorial history
Date accepted:
2005-12
Date published:
2007-07-20

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
2006 Momen, F.M. and El-Sawi, S.A.
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