neoseiulus californicus (mcgregor) is a predatory mite that can control spider mites. the effect of seven strawberry cultivars (including: ‘marak’, ‘yalova’, ‘aliso’, ‘gaviota’, ‘sequoia’, ‘camarosa’ and ‘chandler’) on the growth and development of n. californicus was studied in the laboratory conditions (27 ± 1 °c, 70 ± 5% rh and 16l: 8d photoperiod). there was significant difference in the nu...

the potato tuberworm, phthorimaea operculella (zeller) (lepidoptera: gelechiidae), is one of the most damaging pests of cultivated potato (solanum tuberosum l.) crop, in both field and stores in tropical and subtropical regions. the biological parameters of this pest were evaluated in the growth chamber at 24±1ºc, 65±5% rh and photoperiod of 14:10 h (l:d) on leaves of ten potato cultivars, agri...

the effect of fenpyroximate on life table parameters of two-spotted spider mite tetranychus urticae koch was evaluated under laboratory conditions (25±20c, 60±5% rh and 16:8 l:d). data were analyzed on the basis of age-stage, two-sex life table theory. the estimated value of lc50 for t. urticae was found to be 380 ml/l. durations of total preadult stage and preoviposition period in t. urticae t...

The impact of an insect-free artificial diet provided at nymphal and/or adult stage upon the developmental rate, life table parameters, and fertility table parameters was examined for Podisus maculiventris (Say). This study showed that when fed an insect-free artificial diet during both the nymphal and adult stage, developmental time was prolonged, preoviposition period was extended, and reprod...

Predatory insects often feed on plants or use plant products to supplement their diet, creating a potential route of exposure to systemic insecticides used as seed treatments. This study examined whether chlorantraniliprole or thiamethoxam might negatively impact Coleomegilla maculata and Hippodamia convergens when the beetles consumed the extrafloral nectar of sunflowers grown from treated see...

The Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a pest of agricultural and horticultural crops. It is a species complex consisting of 34 cryptic species. For the distinction of these cryptic species molecular data is extensively used, but corroboration of these with life history traits has been inadequate. In the present study life history traits of 3 cryptic species Asia I, Asia II-...

Effect of temperature on the life history of the mealybug Paracoccus marginatus Williams & Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) was investigated in the laboratory. P. marginatus was able to develop and complete its life cycle at 18, 20, 25, and 30 +/- 1 degrees C. At 15, 34, and 35 degrees C, the eggs hatched after 27.5, 5.9, and 5.5 d of incubation, respectively, but further developm...

Athetis lepigone (Möschler) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an important insect pest of corn crops in China. To determine the effect of temperature on A. lepigone growth, and to provide a forecasting model for this pest, the development and fecundity of A. lepigone under five different temperatures (18, 21, 24, 27, 30 °C) was investigated, and an experimental population life table was constructed b...

1. Although aggregation in non-social arthropods is common, its adaptive value is not always clear. Oviposition behaviour of the viburnum leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta viburni ) is aggregative, with females preferring to lay eggs on twigs already infested by conspecifics. We previously showed that aggregative oviposition aided in overcoming host plant defences. Here we explore two additional benefits ...

Identifying the reproductive consequences of insect migration is critical to understanding its ecological and evolutionary significance. However, many empirical studies are seemingly contradictory, making recognition of unifying themes elusive and controversial. The beet webworm, Loxostege sticticalis L. is a long-range migratory pest of many crops in the northern temperate zone from 36 °N to 5...