Influence of sublethal abamectin exposure on development, reproduction, and population growth of the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Volume 15, Issue 3, Summer 2026 Article ID:150307
https://doi.org/10.22073/pja.150307
Zahra Ardalani, Amin Sadeghi, Mostafa Maroufpoor
Abstract The predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii is widely used as a biological control agent against spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies. This study examined the sublethal effects of two abamectin concentrations (LC10 and LC20 for A. swirskii) on life history traits and demographic parameters of the F₁ generation derived from treated parents under controlled laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 75 ± 5% RH, 16:8 [L:D] photoperiod). Using the age-stage, two-sex life table approach with Tetranychus urticae Koch as prey, results showed that total longevity was shortest in progeny of LC20-treated parents (males = 13.42 days; females = 13.94 days) compared with LC10 progeny (males = 15.06 days; females = 15.50 days). Fecundity, oviposition period, and net reproductive rate (R₀) declined significantly with increasing acaricide concentration. Intrinsic and finite rate were reported to be increased in the treatments (r: 0.159 vs. 0.199 day−¹; λ: 1.172 vs. 1.221 day−¹). Age-specific survival (lₓ), fecundity (mₓ), and reproductive value (vₓⱼ) curves indicated pronounced adverse effects of sublethal exposure on population performance. These findings demonstrate that even low concentrations of abamectin can compromise key life history traits of A. swirskii, potentially limiting its effectiveness in biological control programs. Thus, evaluating acaricide compatibility with natural enemies is critical for successful IPM implementation.
Second record of Erythraeus(Zaracarus)coleopterus(Acari: Erythraeidae) from Iran with new morphological data
Volume 6, Issue 2, Spring 2017, Pages 71-80
https://doi.org/10.22073/pja.v6i2.29406
Javad Noei, Mostafa Maroufpoor, Fardin Faizi, Hadi Ostovan
Abstract Erythraeus (Zaracarus) coleopterus Mortazavi, Hajiqanbar & Saboori, 2012 (Acari: Parasitengona: Erythraeidae) was described based on a single specimen from Kerman province, southeastern Iran, associated with a scarabaeid beetle, Cyphonoxia sp. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). This species reports for the second time from stored grain (off host) in Saqqez and Baneh cities, Kurdistan province, western Iran and presents new morphological data. Finding some specimens help us to augment and correct the original description of E. (Z.) coleopterus. A key to world larval species group of Erythraeus (Zaracarus) is presented which is modified and corrected from Mahmoudi et al. (2014).