Acarina (2002) 10, 85-89
M. Arbabi and J. Singh (2002)
Studies on Agistemus industani Gonzalez-Rodriguez (Acarina: Stigmaeidae), an efficient predator of Tetranychus ludeni Zacker on mulberry
Acarina 10 (1), 85-89
Abstract: Distribution, biology and feeding behavior of the predatory mite Agistemus industani (Acarina: Stigmaeidae) were studied with Tetranychus ludeni being the prey mite on mulberry leaves. This predator was observed feeding voraciously on eggs of the prey in the field. One or two individuals of the predators were often recorded on mulberry leaves in the time period between September and February. Under laboratory conditions, a fertilized female produced female and male progeny in the ratio of 3:1 while an unfertilized female produced male. progeny only. The ovipositional period ranged from 20 to 43 days, when 42-98 eggs were deposited by a female. The total developmental period of a female predatory mite fed on eggs of T. ludeni varied from 11 to 17 days but it was 10-16 days in case of the male. The longevity of the adult female varied from 23 to 46 days, whereas the male lived 23-48 days. The feeding rate of the female predator was three times higher than that of the male. On an average 3 predator eggs were deposited per day after consumption of 15 prey eggs. The male predator consumed nearly 6 eggs per day. The occurrence and abundance of A. indutani during infestation of T. ludeni (March-June) on vegetable crops suggests that it can be an efficient predator of this pest species.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): Masoud Arbabi
Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution
Pest and/or beneficial records:
| Beneficial | Pest/Disease/Weed | Crop/Product | Country | Quarant.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tetranychus ludeni | Mulberry (Morus) | |||
| Agistemus industani (predator) | Tetranychus ludeni | Mulberry (Morus) |
