نحوه اثر غذای جایگزین بر عملکرد زیستی کنه شکارگر Neoseiulus cucumeris (Acari: Phytoseiidae) در پرورش طولانی مدت

In most parts of the world, the use of predatory mites as biocontrol agents in integrated pest management programs has been well received. The predatory mite Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is one of the biocontrol agents that has been studied for mass rearing programs in the absence of its main prey. Considering the alternative food sources and improved biological performance of N. cucumeris on certain resources, in the present study, this predatory mite was reared under laboratory conditions with a photoperiod of D8:L16 h, temperature of 25±1 degrees Celsius, and relative humidity of 60±5% on Datura stramonium pollen grain for ten generations. Based on the results, the longest pre-adult period was observed in the generation one (24.8 days), which significantly differed from other generations. The longest mean generation time (T) was observed in the generations one (20.82 day) and three (19.67 day), while duration of this parameter decreased in the generations five (17.32 day) and ten (17.42 day). Data analysis showed a decrease in the net reproductive rate (R0) in the tenth generation (17.33 eggs/individual) compared to the first generation (29.43 eggs/individual), the third generation (29.06 eggs/individual) and five (24.52 eggs/individual), although there was no significant difference in this parameter between the generations one and ten. In addition to this, the intrinsic rate of increase parameter (r) from the first generation to the tenth generation was observed without any significant difference and their values were 0.162, 0.170, 0.183 and 0.164 day-1, respectively. According to our research findings, long-term rearing of N. cucumeris on D. stramonium pollen grain up to 10th generation did not have negative effects on its biological performance and can be used as a suitable alternative food source in mass production initiatives.