PREDACIOUS MITES ATTACKING PESTS INFESTING SOYBEAN AND PEANUT AT MENIA AND BEHERA GOVERNORATES, EGYPT

Abstract

The targets of the present study are, to survey the most common predatory mites found on soybean and peanut plants at Menia and Behera governorates and identify the unknown mite species. Description of the immature stages of selected predators which have not been described before and biology of the most common predatory mite (Typhlodromus athiasae Porath and Swirski) was studied on the main pest (Tetranychus urticae Koch) associated with soybean and peanut under laboratory conditions. The surveyed mite species belong to 4 suborders, 26 families and 57 genera. The total identified species associated with soybean and peanut plants were collected from El- Behera and El-Menia governorates during (2013 – 2015). Studies included description of a new mite species of the genus Asca (Acari: Mesostigmata: Ascidae). Studies also included description of the immature stages of T. athiasae (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae). Laboratory studies on some biological aspects of the predatory mite T. athiasae were undertaken, using different stages of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (eggs, immature and adult), on female fecundity. Significant differences were recorded on the fecundity of T. athiasae as the total no. of eggs were (27.56, 27.00 and 44.61), when fed on females, nymphs and eggs of T. urticae, respectively, and the daily laid eggs being were (1.06, 1.27 and 1.47), respectively. The consumption rate showed that during life span were (169.61, 563.08 and 3399.8) on females, nymphs and eggs of T. urticae, respectively The life table parameters showed that the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) was (0.178, 0.177and 0.191), the net reproductive rate (Ro) values averaged (19.56, 16.58and 24.98