Biology and life table of the predatory mite Euseius aizawai (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Pollens of 19 plant species were used as diets in a laboratory study of the life history of Euseius aizawai (Ehara & Bhandhufalck) (Acari: Phytoseiidae). The mite ingested pollens of all tested plant species and produced eggs. On eight of them the predator completed all developmental stages, with a life cycle of 5.47±0.88 to 6.95±1.61 days. The longest life-span of adults was observed when feeding on pollens of Coriaria sinica , Zea mays , mixed species and Punica granatum . Larvae had a higher survival rate (70% to 82%) when reared with the pollens of Luffa cylindrica , Trachycarpus excelsa , punica granatum and Betula platyphylla. Longevity of adult females was longer with pollens of Coriaria sinica , Zea mays and mixed species . The oviposition period was from 15.05±4.05 to 25.55±15.25 days, the longest when feeding on pollens of Zea mays , mixed species and Coriaria sinica . Fecundity ranged from 23.50±13.50 to 54.50±19.50 per female and the highest was on pollens of mixed species, Luffa cylindrica and Punica granatum . The sex ratio (proportion of females) was highest when feeding on pollen of Luffa cylindrica . The most suitable range of humidities for egg hatching was 70% to 90%. The net reproduction rate of increase (R0) was the highest on the pollen of Luffa.cylindrica , and the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) and finite rate of increase (λ) were the highest on the pollen of Trachycarpus excelsa .