Influence of Plant Leaf Texture on the Development, Reproduction and Life Table Parameters of the Predacious Mite Cydnoseius zaheri (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Influence of plant leaf texture of camphor, guava and fig on development, reproduction and life table parameters of the phytoseiid mite, Cydnoseius zaheri (Yousef and El Borolossy) was studied at 27 °C and 70% R.H. as rearing substrates. Cydnoseius zaheri successfully developed and reproduced on different plant leaves. Guava and camphor leaves were the most appropriate surfaces as individuals induced the shortest generation period and the highest reproduction rate. In contrast, fig leaf was the least suitable surface. A total of 53.0, 41.6 and 36.9 eggs/;8482; were obtained when guava, camphor and fig leaves were provided as rearing substrates. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and the finite rate of increase (exp rm) were 0.280 and 1.323 on camphor, 0.261 and 1.298 on guava and 0.169 and 1.183 on fig, respectively. Cydnoseius zaheri showed the highest fecundity rate (Mx), which compensated its lowest survival rate (Lx), on guava leaf. However, the predator exhibited the highest survival rate and the lowest fecundity rate on fig leaf