The effects of different temperatures and relative humidity on the development, mortality and nymphal predation of Anthocoris minki

Abstract

Mass rearing techniques are a necessity in developing a suitable and economic biological control method. Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae), which is successfully reared for use in biological control, is a promising indigenous Anthocoris species for biological control of Agonoscena pistaciae Burckhardt and Lauterer (Homoptera: Psyllidae) in pistachio orchards. Development time of nymphal instars, mortality percentage and prey consumption of A. minki fed on Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs were studied at three constant temperatures (20, 25 and 30±1°C) and two relative humidity levels (40 and 65±5%) under laboratory conditions. Temperature and r.h. significantly affected development time and nymphal prey consumption of A. minki. Duration of incubation and total nymphal development time decreased significantly with each increase in temperature. Total nymphal development time of A. minki at 40% and 65% r.h. was 18.6 and 18.6 days at 20°C; 13.7 and 14.6 days at 25°C; and 10.8 and 11.8 days at 30°C, respectively. The shortest nymphal development time and highest nymphal mortality percentage were recorded at 30°C and 40% r.h. The lowest nymphal mortality was 30.1% and 32.1% at 40% and 65% r.h., respectively, at 25°C; the highest nymphal mortality was 51.5% and 52.1% at 20°and 30°C, respectively, and 40% r.h. The highest average number of E. kuehniella eggs consumed was 123.1 at 20°C and 65% r.h., and the lowest was 86.4 at 30°C and 40% r.h. during nymphal development time of A. minki.

Influences of temperature and humidity on the life history parameters and prey consumption of Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

“…Knowing how much food is consumed is an important parameter in the mass rearing of predators. E. kuehniella egg consumption of immature stages of A. minki at 40 and 65% RH was recorded by Yanik and Unlu (2010) The intrinsic rate of natural increase is the most decisive data for estimating population dynamics (Southwood 1978). In this study, the highest r m (0.112) was observed at 30°C and 65% RH.…”

“…The sex ratio of progeny from the stock culture of the predator was found to be 1:1. The developmental time (from egg to adult stage) was measured for each temperature and RH in a previous study (Table 1) (Yanik and Unlu 2010).…”

“…Anthocorids have been successfully reared on Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs (Parker 1981;Samsoe-Petersen et al 1989;Ohta 2001;Yano et al 2002;Yanik andUgur 2002, 2005). Rearing of A. minki on E. kuehniella eggs was achieved by Yanik and Unlu (2010), who determined the development time and prey consumption of nymphs; however, there have been no studies on the demographic characteristics and prey consumption of the adult stage of A. minki on E. kuehniella eggs.…”

Storage studies of different stages of Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) under low temperatures

“…As a result of insecticide failure, biological controls are gaining prominence for controlling pistachio psylla. In Turkey, Anthocoris minki Dohrn (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) has an important role as a natural enemy of pistachio psylla (Çelik, 1981;Mart et al, 1995;Yanik & Unlu, 2010). Based on data obtained from insect release studies in pistachio orchards, Yanık et al (2007) reported that A. minki was effective for controlling pistachio psylla and was responsible for decreasing the pest population at the economic injury level.…”

“…Based on data obtained from insect release studies in pistachio orchards, Yanık et al (2007) reported that A. minki was effective for controlling pistachio psylla and was responsible for decreasing the pest population at the economic injury level. Detailed studies regarding the biology, ecology, and release of A. minki for controlling pistachio psylla are available in the scientific literature (Yanik & Unlu, 2010;2011a, b;Yanık et al, 2007;2011a, b;.…”