Typhlodromalus aripo De Leon (Acari: Phytoseiidae) development and reproduction on major cassava pests at different temperatures and humidities: an indication of enhanced mite resilience

Both prey type and abiotic conditions limit performance of phytoseiid predators. The exotic predatory mite, Typhlodromalus aripo developed and reproduced when maintained on eggs and active stages of the cassava green mite (CGM) Mononychellus progresivus at three different temperatures. At the highest temperature of 33 degree C and the lowest at 12 degree C, mite survival was less than 15 % over a period of ten days with low fecundity. At 12 degree C, immatures took longer to reach maturity, while at 33 degree C high mortality (>80 %) occurred. The best performance was recorded at 27 degree C and 75 % relative humidity. Typhlodromalus aripo was also able to feed, develop and reproduce on the crawlers' stage of the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci and the nymphal stage of the mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti, though a low survival rate (