The biology and fecundity of the citrus red mite Panonychus citri (McGregor) (Acari: Tetranychidae) at different temperatures under laboratory conditions

Authors: İSMAİL KASAP

Abstract: The developmental time and fecundity of Panonychus citri (McGregor 1916) (Acari: Tetranychidae) on Washington navel sweet orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.) leaves were determined at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 10% RH, and a 16:8-h (L:D) photoperiod under laboratory conditions. Total development time of P. citri females was 37.2, 16.6, 12.2, 9.8, and 9.0 days at 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 ± 1 °C, respectively. Total and daily egg production levels of P. citri were highest at 25 °C (25.6 and 2.1 eggs), followed by 20 °C (22.1 and 1.8 eggs) and 30 °C (16.6 and 1.7 eggs). The lowest total and daily egg production levels were at 15 °C (16.5 and 0.8 eggs). The development threshold for female eggs and egg to adult stages was 9.22 °C and 9.77 °C, respectively, while total effective temperature was 100 and 192.30 degree-days, respectively. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) at 30, 25, 20, and 15 °C was 0.148, 0.160, 0.111, and 0.042 females female^{-1} day^{-1}, respectively.

Keywords: Citrus Red Mite, degree-day, development, life table, Panonychus citri

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