Development rates longevity and fecundity of sixspotted mite (<i>Eotetranychus sexmaculatus</i>) at constant temperatures

Abstract

Sixspotted mite (Eotetranychus sexmaculatus) is a key pest of avocados in New Zealand Sixspotted mite feeding on leaves can cause excessive leaf drop and a subsequent reduction in tree productivity and yield Sixspotted mite development longevity and fecundity were determined at six constant temperatures (10 13 18 21 25 30C) on avocado leaf discs No larvae hatched from eggs at 10C The number of days to complete egg development ranged from 53 days at 30C to 239 days at 13C Total developmental time (egg to adult) ranged from 296 days at 18C to 11 days at 30C Mean adult longevity ranged from 188 days at 30C to 414 days at 18C The number of eggs laid per female ranged from 69 to 209 Degreeday models were developed for eggs larvae and nymphs It was estimated that 2028 degreedays above a threshold temperature of 122C were required to complete development from egg to adult