A comparative study of development and demographic parameters of Tetranychus merganser and Tetranychus kanzawai (Acari: Tetranychidae) at different temperatures.

We investigated the effect of temperature on development and demographic parameters such as the intrinsic rate of natural increase (r (m)) of the two spider mite species Tetranychus merganser Boudreaux and T. kanzawai Kishida at eleven constant temperatures ranging from 15 to 40°C at intervals of 2.5°C. Both male and female T. merganser and T. kanzawai completed development from egg to adult at temperatures ranging from 15 to 37.5°C. The longest developmental duration of immature stages was found at 15°C and the shortest developmental duration was found at 35°C for both species. Using linear and non-linear developmental rate models, the lower thermal thresholds for egg-to-adult (female and male) and egg-to-egg development were estimated as 12.2-12.3°C for T. merganser and as 10.8°C for T. kanzawai. The highest developmental rates were observed at around 35°C, whereas the upper developmental thresholds were around 40°C for both species. In fact, at 40°C, a few eggs of either species hatched, but no larvae reached the next stage. The r (m)-values of T. merganser ranged from 0.072 (15°C) to 0.411 day(-1) (35°C), whereas those of T. kanzawai ranged from 0.104 (15°C) to 0.399 (30°C). The r (m)-values were higher for T. kanzawai than for T. merganser at temperatures from 15 to 30°C, but not at 35°C (0.348 day(-1)). Total fecundity of T. merganser was also higher than that of T. kanzawai at 35°C. These results indicate that higher temperatures favor T. merganser more than T. kanzawai.

Effect of different densities of the twospotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae on CO2 assimilation, transpiration, and stomatal behaviour in rose leaves.

The effect of population density of Tetranychus urticae Koch on CO2 assimilation, transpiration and stomatal behaviour in rose leaves and on the diameter and length of stems and flower buds was investigated under greenhouse conditions. The investigation was performed in order to gain more insight into integrated control systems in rose crops grown under greenhouse conditions. Physiological processes, such as photosynthesis and transpiration, as well as stomatal behaviour and chlorophyll content, were studied as they form part of the plant's nutrition mechanism and therefore affect the quantity and quality of the flowers. Information related to the effect of spider mite population density on bloom quality, diameter and length of stems and flower buds was also collected. The data indicate that increased mite density coincides with a decrease in the net photosynthetic rate, transpiration and chlorophyll content. Higher mite densities on leaves cause stomata to remain open for longer periods, which allows a greater loss of water. Spider mite densities of 10 and 50 mites per leaf cause a reduction in flower stem length of 17 and 26%, respectively, as compared to plants with no mites present.

Use of Bactimos briquets (B.t.i. formulation) combined with the backswimmer Notonecta irrorata (Hemiptera:Notonectidae) for control of mosquito larvae.

The efficacies of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bactimos briquets) and the backswimmer Notonecta irrorata were evaluated both individually and in combination to control mosquito larvae in plastic containers in Monterrey, Mexico. The combined strategy proved to be the most effective one.