| Does feeding on different pollen influence on the life table and functional response of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae) during subsequent generations? |
| Paper ID : 1273-3IICE (R1) |
| Authors: |
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Alireza Nemati *1, Elham Riahi2 1Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran 2Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University |
| Abstract: |
| It is generally accepted that in the mass production of a predator on non-prey food, three points should be undertaken. Its nutritional requirements should be provided which leads to the continuous generation of the offspring of high quality. Further, the predator should be able to detect, capture, and kill its prey after the long-term rearing. Finally, beyond doubt the nutrient imbalances may be exhibited only when the organism is fed on a diet for multiple generations. In this study not only the performance of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot after rearing of four (G4) and six (G6) consecutive generations on two pollen grains, but also its ability to find and kill its natural prey, Tetranychus urticae Koch were investigated after long-term rearing on each diet. In G4, the values of intrinsic and finite rates of increase were not significant between two diets. Both diet and generation exerted a significantly influence on fecundity of A. swirskii. In G6, females reared on almond pollen had higher net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase compared with maize pollen. Amblyseius swirskii fed on the maize pollen consumed lower number of daily than those reared on other diets, particularly at higher prey densities. Our findings have important implications for developing mass rearing program of A. swirskii on non-prey diets. However, more research on evaluating the suitability of almond pollen in the large-scale cultures of A. swirskii needs to be undertaken. |
| Keywords: |
| Amblyseius swirskii, Mass rearing, Alternative food, Subsequent generation, Maize, Almond |
| Status : Paper Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
