Effect of three pollen grains on life table parameters of Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Maryam Rezaie

Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is a predatory mite that can control spider mites. The effect of different diets such as, corn pollen, walnut pollen and date pollen along with the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch) eggs on life table parameters of the predatory mite was determined on strawberry detached leaves in Petri dishes. The experiments were carried out under laboratory conditions at 27 ± 1°C, 16L: 8D h photo-period and 70 ± 5% RH. Life table parameters were analysed based on age-stage, two-sex life table. There was no significant difference of total longevity among the different diets. The fecundity rate on date pollen (14.21±2.92 eggs) was higher than the other diets tested. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) of the predatory mites fed with date pollen (0.201±0.032 day -1) was higher than the other treatments. Among the three pollens, date pollen was recognized suitable for development and reproduction of N. californicus.