Abstract

CHAVEZ-ESPINOZA, Ayde; RODRIGUEZ, H.  and  ESTRADA-VENEGAS, Edith G.. Biology of Oligonychus cubensis Livschitz (Acari: Tetranychidae) in avocado (Persea americana Miller). Rev. Protección Veg. [online]. 2017, vol.32, n.3, pp. 00-00. ISSN 2224-4697.

The development and reproduction of Oligonychus cubensis Livschitz were studied under laboratory conditions at 22.83±1.31 °C and 69.44±8.55 % HR on excised avocado (Persea americana Miller cv. ‘Criollo’) leaves. Females of laboratory-reared O. cubensis were placed in an experimental unit, allowed to lay eggs for 24 hours and then removed. The eggs were observed daily. The larvae that emerged were singly transferred to individual leaf discs with a fine camel’s-hair brush (no. 00) until the appearance of adults, which were observed until their death. The phase changes and their duration were recorded. The average duration of the life cycle was 10.91±0.64 days. The egg stage was the longest with 4 days, while that of protonymphs was the shortest with 1.62 days. The preoviposition period averaged 1 day, while the oviposition period can last 29 days, with an average of 16 days and a female longevity of 33 days. Sex ratio was 6.28:1 (female:male). The eggs reached 100 % of viability, and no mortality of immature stages was observed. The biological parameters of O. cubensis observed indicated it had a high reproductive potential, similar to that of other species within this genus which are avocado pests.

Keywords : avocado; life cycle; Oligonychus cubensis; phytophagous mites; tetranychid mites.

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