An investigation on demographic parameters of the predatory mite Blattisocius mali (Blattisociidae) fed on eggs of the fungus gnat Lycoriella auripila (Sciaridae)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of Plant Protection, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

In this study, the predatory mite Blattisocius mali was evaluated as a candidate predator for the biological control of fungus gnat, Lycoriella auripila in mushroom cultivation salons and greenhouses and its biological characteristics and population parameters were investigated under laboratory conditions at 25 °C, 70±5 % relative humidity and 16:8 h (L:D) photoperiod. The mean of the total pre-adult period in this experiment was 4.45 days and the lifespan of male and female adults was 18.45 and 20.46 days, respectively. The mean of the oviposition days was 13.88 days and the fecundity was 90.96 (eggs/female). Also, the predatory mite, B. mali feeding on the eggs of the L. auripila had a significant intrinsic rate of population increase (r) equal to 0.386 day-1 and its population increased about 44.551 times every 9.882 days. The results of this study showed the B. mali is a potential predator that can grow and reproduce and complete its life cycle fed on the eggs of L. auripila, successfully. Therefore, this predator can act as a suitable and safe biological control agent to reduce the fungus gnat population and be considered as a biological control agent in the integrated control of this pest.

Keywords

References

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Plant Pest Research
Volume 13, Issue 1
May 2023
Pages 1-14

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  • Receive Date: 31 May 2023
  • Accept Date: 31 May 2023

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