Development and life table parameters of the Phytoseius corniger Wainstein (Acari: Phytoseiidae) feeding on the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) under laboratory conditions

Phytoseiid mites are important for biological control of some pest species including phytophagous and small insects. The species, Phytoseius corniger Wainstein is one the most abundant predatory mite in fruit orchards urban green spaces Razavi Khorasan province, Iran. Biological parameters this feeding on two-spotted spider Tetranychus urticae Koch was studied first time under laboratory conditions (25±2 ºC, 55±5 % RH 16L: 8D photoperiod). results indicated that mean developmental periods egg, larva, protonymph deutonymph were 1.12±0.09, 0.73±0.03, 1.01±0.03, 3.05±0.09 days females, 0.95±0.37, 0.67±0.39, 1.05±0.88, 3.05±0.85 males, respectively. pre-oviposition, oviposition, post-oviposition adult longevity females 4.63±0.11, 11.63±0.16, 7.93±0.13 24.18±0.21 days, laid an average 0.48 eggs per day, 5.60 during their life span. In addition, larvae P. may molt to stage without feeding. Consumption rate nymphal 1.95 prey day. highest consumption recorded oviposition period, with 3.35 items Regarding life-history traits, intrinsic rates increase (rm) 0.064±0.02 (♀♀/♀/day) its finite (λ), net reproduction (R0), generation (T), doubling (DT) 1.066±0.23 (day-1), 3±0.07 (♀♀/♀/generation), 17.14±0.11 (days), 10.83±0.65 Further field studies regarding diet preference predation capacity needed.