Demographic analysis of sublethal effects of spiromesifen on Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

International audienceThe sublethal effect of spiromesifen on life table parameters of Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was evaluated under laboratory conditions 25±1 °C, 65±5% RH and 16:8 (L:D) h. To take both sexes and the variable developmental rate among individuals into consideration, the raw data were analyzed based on the age stage, two sex life table. The estimated values of LC5, LC10 and LC15 for N. californicus are found to be 5.834, 9.529 and 13.267 ppm, respectively. The total preoviposition period of N. californicus treated with sublethal concentrations of spiromesifen was not significantly longer than for the control treatment. The minimum total fecundity was recorded for the LC15 concentration of spiromesifen (19.37 eggs/female) that was significantly different to the LC5 and control treatments. Compared with the control, the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), net reproductive rate (R0) and gross reproduction rates (GRR) of mites treated by the dose of the LC15 concentration, decreased significantly but the mean generation time (T) was not affected by this sublethal concentration. Our results indicated that increasing concentrations of spiromesifen had significant negative effects on life table parameters of N. californicus.These quantities should not be used in combination with N. californicus in integrated pest management programs in order to obtain optimal of biological control conclusions

Effect of Different Constant Temperatures on Biology of Schizaphis Graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Barley, Hordeum Vulgare L. (Poaceae) in Iran

The temperature dependent biology of greenbug, Schizaphis graminum Rondani on Kavir barley cultivar was studied at seven constant temperatures including 10, 15, 19, 22, 26, 31, and 33±1°C, 70% relative humidity (RH), and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) hours. The period of immature development ranged between 6.60 days at 26°C to 28.56 days at 10°C, respectively. All tested aphids failed to develop at 33°C. The calculated rm and λ values were significantly the highest at 26°C and lowest at 10°C, respectively. The mean generation time and doubling time of S. graminum decreased linearly by increasing the temperature from 10 to 26°C. Additionally, the total number of offsprings per female was extremely low at 10 and 31°C, contrary to the highest and lowest values of life expectancy at 10°C (41.73 days) and 31°C (7.66 days), respectively. The results of the present study revealed that temperature had great effects on biology of S. graminum, which was never previously studied on barley in Iran