Evaluation of the potential for Neoseiulus californicus to act as a biological control for Tetranychus turkestani and Tetranychus truncate, based on life table analysis

Author of the article:WANG Xiao-Dong** YUAN Xiu-Ping HUANG Yan-Qin ZHANG Jian-Hua ZHAO Yi-Ying***

Author's Workplace：College of Agriculture, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, China

Key Words：Neoseiulus californicus, Tetranychus turkestan, Tetranychus truncate, life table, biocontrol capability

Abstract：      [Objectives] To evaluate the potential for Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) to act as a biological control forTetranychus turkestani (Ugarov et Nikolski) and T. truncate (Ehara). [Methods] Life tables for an experimental, captivepopulation of N. californicus preying on T. turkestani and T. truncate were constructed. [Results] The results show that thenet reproductive rate (R0) and intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of N. californicus feeding on T. turkestani were 33.236 and0.218, respectively, greater than when feeding on T. truncate (R0=32.458, rm=0.207). The mean generation duration (T=16.340)and the time for the population to double (t= 3.173) when feeding on T. turkestani were less than when feeding on T. truncate
(T=16.849, t=3.355). [Conclusion] N. californicus develops faster and has a higher reproductive rate when feeding on T.turkestani compared to when feeding on T. truncate.