A NEW DIET FOR THE BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE PREDACEOUS MITE, Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez (Acari: Stigmaeidae)

The biology of Agistemus exsertus Gonzalez was studied using an eggs of Schizotetranychus tuttleii Zaher, Gomaa and El-Enany as a new diet at 28±2˚C and 65±5% R.H.. The results showed that A. exsertus completed its life span in (39.22 & 35.15) days for female and male, respectively. The average number of eggs consumed by female and male during the life span were (182.6 & 99.16) eggs with a daily mean (4.66 & 2.82) eggs for female and male, respectively. The fecundity was 63.58 eggs when fed on eggs of the mite, Sch. tuttleii with a daily mean 2.51 eggs at 28±2ºC and 65 ±5 % R.H.. Conclusively, the eggs of the mite, Sch. Tuttleii represent an effective and successful diet for rearing the predaceous mite, A. exsertus; whereas the average number of consumed significantly eggs during the life span were (182.6 & 99.16) eggs by female and male, respectively. The fecundity was 63.58 eggs with a daily mean 2.51 eggs at 28±2ºC and 65 ±5 % R.H.