پارامترهای جمعیت کنه شکارگر Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiideae) پس از قرار گرفتن در معرض غلظت‌های زیرکشنده دو اسانس گیاهی

Over the recent decade, there has been a growing interest in the use of biopesticides for pest management while minimizing adverse effects on natural enemies. Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a predatory mite, is one of the widely used as a biological control agent against various economically important pests. This study investigated the side effects of LC30 and LC50 concentrations of essential oils (EOS) from Laurus nobilis L. (Lauraceae) and Mentha piperita L. (Lamiaceae) on the life table parameters of A. swirskii fed on first instar larva of Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Adult females of A. swirskii were exposed to sublethal concentrations of the two EOs for 12 hours, and subsequently, their same-aged eggs were individually transferred to experimental units (70 replications). The experiments were performed in growth chambers at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 10% RH, and a photoperiod of 16: 8 hours (Light: Dark). The age-stage, two-sex life table method was used to analyze the life history traits. Results indicated that after exposure to LC30 and LC50 of L. nobilis and M. piperita EOs, total fecundity decreased ( 15.35, 17.69and 15.35, 18.26 off spring, respectively) compered to control (19.77 offspring). Population parameters such as net reproductive rate (R0) (7.33, 5.70 and 7.04, 5.70 eggs per individual) and intrinsic rate of increase (r) (0.100, 0.089 and 0.097, 0.089 day -1) were also affected by L. nobilis and M. piperita treatments, respectively. These findings suggest that the tested EOs, especially L. nobilis , could be used in combination with A. swirskii against F. occidentalis. Although, field experiments are necessary before integrating them into integrated pest management strategies.