title: Effect of temperature on development and reproduction of Proprioseiopsis asetus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on asparagus thrips, Thrips tabaci.
abstract: Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is one of the most important pests of asparagus in China. In this study the effects of five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) on the growth, survivorship and reproduction of Proprioseiopsis asetus (Chant) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) fed on T. tabaci was examined under laboratory conditions. Development time of immatures decreased with increasing temperature. The lower egg-to-adult developmental threshold (T 0) and thermal constant (K) of P. asetus were estimated at 15.2 °C and 75.8 degree days by means of a linear model. Fertilized females fed on T. tabaci produced offspring of both sexes, whereas the offspring sex ratio [♀/(♀ + ♂)] of P. asetus at 20-35 °C was female-biased (0.68-0.78) and not significantly influenced by temperature. Survivorship during immature development was significantly influenced by temperature, and was especially low at 15 °C. Pre- and post-oviposition periods of fertilized females shortened with the increase in temperature. The longest oviposition period was 20.4 days, at 25 °C, whereas at 15 °C the mites did not reproduce. Maximum average life time fecundity and mean daily fecundity was recorded at 25 and 35 °C, respectively; the intrinsic rate of increase ranged from 0.05 (20 °C) to 0.17 (35 °C). The results indicate the capability of P. asetus to develop and reproduce at a broad range of temperatures, especially above 25 °C, which can be used for better management of T. tabaci in asparagus.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanchang, 330200, China.
authors.forename: Jian Hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Shoaib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Freed
authors.forename: Li Si
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen Jing
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Hong Fan
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hou Guo
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Qin
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology*; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D013696:Temperature; D061149:Thysanoptera / Q000502:physiology*