ANBAR JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Several experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the predator, Stethorus gilvifrons (Muls) against deferant stages of the two spotted spider mite Teranychus urticae Koch. Results indicated that both larvae and adults of the predator were highly efficient in their feeding on all mite stages. Larvae consumed an average of 1045.76 egg, 647.79 larva, 588.80 nymph and 715.03 adult mites when fed on each stage separately during the whole larval duration. The female consumed an average of 7488.17, 8100.25, 6889.4 and 4811.46 individuals of mite stages respectively when fed on each separately during the whole life span, While the male consumed an average of 1826.90, 1977.82, 1759.70 and 810.52 individuals of mite stages respectively. Females consumption of mite stages was higher during the oviposition period followed by pre oviposition and then post oviposition periods. The number of prey decreased with their size increase. The feasibility of including this predator in the management programs of mite was discussed.