Age-stage, two-sex life table of Amblyseius herbicolus at different temperatures.

[Objectives] To clarify the effects of different temperatures on the population growth of Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant) feeding on Oulenzia bakeri (Hughes). [Methods] An age-stage, two-sex life table was used to determine the developmental period, survival rate, fecundity and population parameters, under five temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28, 31 °C), 85%±5% RH and a 16:8 h (L:D) photoperiod. [Results] The preadult and preoviposition periods first shortened, then lengthened with increasing temperature within the range of 19 to 28 °C. These periods were shortest at 25 °C (5.4 and 2.2 d, respectively). The oviposition period, fecundity, intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ) and net reproductive value (R₀), first increased, then decreased, with temperature, and were highest at 25 °C (12.6 d, 26.0 eggs/female, 0.2 d^-1, 1.2 d^-1, 12.5, respectively). All measured population parameters decreased significantly at temperatures > 25 °C. [Conclusion] Although A. herbicolus can complete its growth and reproduction at temperatures in the range of 19 to 31 °C, 25 °C is the optimal temperature within this range for breeding this species in captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]