| Long-term effects of saffron pollen on development, reproduction and predation capacity of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) |
| Paper ID : 1184-IPCA4 (R1) |
| Authors: |
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Sayed Salman Naqshbandi *1, Yaghoub Fathipour2, Hamidreza Hagiqanbar3, Shima Yazdanpanah2 1Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, P. O. Box 14115-336, Tehran, Iran 2Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 3Department of Entomology Faculty of Agriculture Tarbiat Modares University 14115-336, Tehran IRAN |
| Abstract: |
| The generalist predator, Neoselulus cucumeris (Oudemans) is a commercially available biocontrol agent against various pests. The effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) pollen as a food source on development and reproduction of N. cucumeris were determined over 20 continuous generations using two-sex life table procedure. In addition, the ability of nymphs and adults of N. cucumeris to locate, capture and consume the natural prey Tetranychus urticae Koch after the first, 10th and the 20th generations were evaluated. The experiments were conducted under standard conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH, and a photoperiod of L16:D8 h). The longest (8.70 days) and shortest (7.51 days) development time happened in fifth and first generations, respectively. Females at the 20th generation laid eggs earlier than other generations. Females at first generation laid eggs over a longer period of time and produced more eggs than females of the other generations. The predator in the first generation had a higher gross reproductive rate (GRR) (42.49 eggs/individual) and net reproductive rate (R0) (40.54 eggs/individual) than later generations. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the finite rate of increase (λ) of N. cucumeris in the first (0.171 and 1.186 day-1, respectively) and 20th (0.170 and 1.186 day-1, respectively) generations were higher than other generations; the fifth generation had the lowest value of these parameters. The fecundity of N. cucumeris was not significantly affected by generation when this predator switched to a diet of T. urticae; however immature development in the 10th and 20th generations was significantly higher than the first generation. Furthermore, the results of this study revealed that the values of r, GRR, and λ were not significantly affected by generation. Finally, it can be concluded that rearing of N. cucumeris for 20 generations on saffron pollen did not affect the performance of predator and this alternative food source can be used for the mass rearing of this predator mite. |
| Keywords: |
| Mass rearing, Neoseiulus cucumeris, Life table, Alternative food, Tetranychus urticae |
| Status : Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
