A study on the Biology of Predatory Mite, Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) Feeding on Black Scale Insect, Parlatoria ziziphi (Lucas) (Homoptera: Diaspididae)

Abstract

Euseius scutalis developed and oviposited when provided with egg stage of Parlatoria ziziphi as prey under laboratory conditions of 28 ± 2°C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). Euseius scutalis was significantly affected by food source but a slight difference was noticed between females and males. The efficiency of the predator increased as it advanced in its development. Egg incubation period of female and male lasted 2.11 days. The life cycle lasted 8.04 and 7.32 days for female and male, respectively. The female lived for a longer period than that of the male, where longevity was 23.3 and 17.11 days for female and male, respectively. The number of prey eggs consumed per individuals was 16.11 and 10.30 eggs for total immature stages. The female predator devoured 43.81 prey eggs during the oviposition period (11.46 days) and deposited 0.91 eggs per day.