Influence of prey availability and age of female on reproduction and sex ratio of the predacious mite Typhlodromus athiasae (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Abdel-Khalek, A. A. and Momen, F. M. (2009) Influence of prey availability and age of female on reproduction and sex ratio of the predacious mite Typhlodromus athiasae (Acari: Phytoseiidae). Acta Phytopathologica et Entomologica Hungarica, 44 (1). pp. 159-166. ISSN 0238-1249

Text aphyt.44.2009.1.17.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only until 30 June 2029. Download (107kB)

Abstract

Under experimental conditions, the fecundity of Typhlodromus athiasae increased with greater availability of prey (Tetranychus urticae) , but declined after reaching a level of 16 prey per day. The number of prey killed per egg produced and the number of prey killed per day during the reproductive period increased with prey availability. The total number of reproductive days increased initially, but leveled off at higher levels of prey density. As the prey density was increased, there was a shift in sex ratio towards an increased proportion of females. Age of mated females has an influence also on fecundity and sex ratio; old females produced fewer eggs compared with young females under constant condition of abundant prey.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item