Starvation and fertilization affecting reproduction in Amblyseius swirskii Athias‐Henriot and A. gossipi El‐Badry (Acari, Phytoseiidae)

Abstract

Two factors were investigated to determine their effect on the reproduction and sex ratios in two species of predacious mites, Amblyseius swirskii and A . gossipi, in the laboratory. These factors were starvation during the immature and adult stages as well as fertilization in excess of females. Longevity periods were greatly influenced by food deprivation programmes. A clear difference was recorded in the total number of egg production; severe food de rivation had the leading effect followed by moderate then simple. A male of both species showecfa high reproductive ability for more than 17 days and was able to mate more than once in excess of females, with maximum of seven and nine times in A . gossipi and A . swirskii respectively.