اثر تنش گرمایی کوتاه مدت بر رشد و نمو کنه شکارگرNeoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseidae)

The predatory mite Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) is an important species of phytoseiid mites, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a type II predator and prefers Tetranychid mites as food, but will also consume other mite species, small insects, such as thrips, and even pollen when the primary prey is unavailable. This research aimed to assess the egg hatching rates and the duration of immature development stages of N. californicus after incubation of the eggs under heat stress at 38, 40 and 42℃, 70% ± 5% RH and a 16h:8h light: dark (L:D) photoperiod for 2, 4 and 6h. The findings indicated that as the temperature increased and the duration of heat stress was prolonged, the rate of hatching decreased. The eggs treated at 42℃ for 2h or more could not hatch, and the developmental duration of each immature stage showed a trend of decreasing at first and then increasing. There was significant difference from the control among immature stages in most experimental treatments. The fastest development was observed after incubation of eggs at 40℃ for 2h. Consequently, the impact of short-term heat stress was considerable on both the hatching rate and the length of the immature phase. To optimize the predation effectiveness and control efficacy of N. californicus during rearing and field release, it is crucial to minimize exposure to heat stress as much as possible.