| Generation-dependent demography and predation capacity of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on saffron pollen |
| Paper ID : 1183-IPCA4 (R1) |
| Authors |
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pouya pourbahram *1, Hamidreza Hagiqanbar2, Yaghoub Fathipour3, Shima Yazdanpanah3 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 14115-336, Tehran IRAN 3Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran |
| Abstract |
| The generalist predator, Amblyseius swirskii (Oudemans) is an effective biocontrol agent that has been used to control various pests. The effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) pollen as a food source on development and reproduction of A. swirskii were determined over 20 continuous generations using two-sex life table procedure. In addition, the ability of nymphs and adults of A. swirskii 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 (7.4 days) and shortest (6.18 days) development time occurred in the first and tenth generations, respectively. Females at the 10th generation laid eggs earlier (after 2.63 days) and also produced more eggs (49.46) than other generations. The gross reproductive rate (GRR), net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the finite rate of increase (λ) of A. swirskii remained stable during different generations. The highest fecundity (49.93 eggs/female) and oviposition days (32.14) of A. swirskii were in the 10th generation when this predator switched to a diet of T. urticae, however pre-adult duration in the 10th (6.39 days) and 20th (6.59 days) generations was significantly shorter than the first generation (7.78 days). Furthermore, the results of this study revealed that the values of r, GRR and λ were not significantly affected by generation. The net predation rate (C0) and finite predation rate (ω) of this predator in 20th generations were significantly higher than the first and 10th generations, which represents the unquestionable predation capability of the predator after rearing on pollen for a long time. Finally, it can be concluded that rearing of A. swirskii for 20 generations on saffron pollen had positive effect on the performance of this predator and this alternative diet can be used for mass rearing of this predatory mite. |
| Keywords |
| Mass rearing, Amblyseius swirskii, Life table, Alternative food,Tetranychus urticae, |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |