TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - Suitability of date palm pollen as an alternative food source for the predatory mite Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski and Amitai) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) at a low relative humidity
VL  - 58
IS  - 2
SP  - 357
EP  - 365
PY  - 2018
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - Alatawi, Fahad J.
AU  - Basahih, Jamal S.
AU  - Kamran, Muhammad
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/acarologia/20184247
DO  - 10.24349/acarologia/20184247
DA  - 2018-02-22
ET  - 2018-02-22
KW  - biology
KW  - life table parameters
KW  - Cydnoseius negevi
KW  - Phytoseiidae
KW  - biological control
AB  - The nutritional suitability of date palm pollen for the predatory mite Cydnoseius negevi (Swirski and Amitai) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was tested by assessing the development and life table parameters of the predator at two relative humidity levels, 35 and 60 % RH, at 30 °C in the laboratory. C. negevi successfully developed and reproduced when fed on a fresh date palm pollen diet at both humidity levels. However, at 35 % RH, the incubation period and development of immatures were significantly longer, female longevity and fecundity significantly decreased, and all life table parameter values were negatively affected. The results obtained in this study were compared with those of some previously published studies in the same field. The date palm pollen could be a suitable food source for the mass production of C. negevi. Moreover, the successful reproduction and development of C. negevi fed date palm pollen at low RH (35 %) makes it a good alternate food  source in the field to conserve the population of the predator under local arid environmental conditions.
ER -