The influence of prey life stages of tetranychus urticae (Acari : Tetranychidae)‎ on biological parameters of the predator scolothrips sexmaculatus (Thysanoptera : Thripidae)‎ in laboratory rearing

Abstract EN

The six-spotted thrips, Scolothrips sexmaculatus (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is considered to be an effective predator against small insects and spider mites.

A study was conducted during 2011 at the General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR / Syria), to investigate the influence of prey stage of the two-spotted spider mite Tertanychus urticae (Acari:Tetranychidae) used as a food on certain biological parameters of the predator S.

sexmacultus.

Results indicated that prey stages had a significant influence on egg incubation period, larval and pupal development periods of the predator S.

sexmacultus.

The shortest developmental periods of the predator were obtained when the predator was fed on a mixed diet of all life stages of the prey.

Feeding on a such diet, mean egg incubation 0.15±and 1.7 0.25±4.8 ,0.13±period, mean larval development period and mean pupal development period were 5.8 days, respectively.

Percentage of survival of the predator feeding on such a diet was highest at 88%.

The longest days and the lowest survival rate at 66% were recorded 0.13±duration of the combined larval and pupal stages, 12.2