Temperature Effects on Development and Life Table Parameters of Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

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Development, reproduction and life table parameters of Tetranychus urticae Koch were determined on leaves of peach (G. H. Hale cultivar) at different temperatures, ranging from 13 to 33°C under laboratory conditions. No development was observed at 13°C. Egg-to-adult developmental time decreased gradually from 17 to 27°C and increased at higher temperatures (27 to 33°C). An average of 136.43 degree-days was required to complete development above the lower threshold temperature (13.79°C). Mean total egg productions per female were 40.09, 18.74, 8.03 and 21.33 at 25, 27, 30 and 33 °C, respectively. Mean longevities of the females were 12.91±1.65, 5.92±0.55, 3.56±0.54 and 6.53±0.56 days, respectively at the above mentioned temperatures. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) at different temperatures ranged from 0.108 to 0.213 day -1, with the highest value recorded at 27 °C. The highest and the lowest values of the net reproductive rate (R0) were obtained at 25°C (16.87) and 30°C (4.18), respectively. Doubling time (DT) varied significantly at different temperatures and the shortest and longest values of this period were obtained at 27 and 30°C, respectively. The results suggested that T. urticae was able to develop and reproduce within a wide range of temperatures, and that temperatures from 27- 30°C are the most suitable conditions for the development, survivorship and reproduction of the mite.