Development, Survival, and Reproduction of the Predatory Mite Kampimodromus aberrans (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at Different Constant Temperatures

Development, survival, and reproduction of the predatory mite Kampimodromus aberrans Oudemans were studied at constant temperatures in the range from 15 to 35 parallel C under laboratory conditions. Larval developmental rate for both males and females increased gradually from 15 to 35 parallel C and decreased at higher temperatures. Lactins nonlinear model described with adequate accuracy the relationship between developmental rate and temperature. The model predicted that lower and upper threshold temperatures for preimaginal development ranged from 9.8 to 11.8 parallel C and from 37.2 to 39.8 parallel C, respectively. The intrinsic rate of population increase (r sub(m)) at the different temperatures ranged from 0.0442 to 0.1575, with the highest value recorded at 25 parallel C. At 33 parallel C a negative r sub(m) value was estimated. The r sub(m) values determined at different temperatures were fitted to Lactins nonlinear model, and the lower and upper threshold and the optimal temperatures for population increase were 10.5, 32.4, and 27.6 parallel C, respectively. These data indicate that K. aberrans may be better adapted to intermediate temperatures around 27 parallel C and, therefore, could be a useful biocontrol agent of spider mites during spring and early summer when such temperatures are prevalent in northern Greece. The results could also be useful in developing a population model for K. aberrans under field conditions.