The two-sex life table of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii fed on Phyllocoptes adalius in laboratory conditions

Phyllocoptes adalius, is an important pest of roseus plants. Phytoseiid mites are the most important natural enemies of pest mites to be considered in integrated pest management. Amblyseius swirskii is an omnivorous mite that feeds on many species of small arthropods as well as pollen grains. Life table gives the most comprehensive description on the survival, stage differentiation and reproduction of a population and thus is the most important basis of population ecology and pest management. In this study, the life parameters were conducted under laboratory conditions at 25 ± 0.5 ˚C, 70-80% RH and photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D), P. adalius was used as prey. To initiate experiments, 50 eggs were used as a fertility and life table with a follow-up cohort until the death of the last individual. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) the net reproduction rate (R0), mean generation time (T) and finite rate of increase (λ) were estimated 0.172 day-1, 12.59 offspring/female, 14.72 days and 1.18 day-1, respectively. In conclusion, results showed that A. swirskiiwould be able to develop at 25 °C feeding on P. adaliusand can play a role in biological control of P. adalius.