Life history and life table of Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor) as a predator of eriophyoid mites in Egypt (Acari : Tydeidae)

The predacious mite Pronematus ubiquitus (McGregor) successfully developed from larva to adult stage when fed on individuals of the fig bud mite Eriop hyes ficus Cotte and the fig leaf mite Rhyncaphytoptus ficifoliae Keifer. T he durations of the immature and adult stages were determined. The number o f prey consumed was highest when individuals were maintained on the fig bud mite compared with the fig leaf mite. The average number of eggs/female/da y was 1.9 and 1.6 on E. ficus and E. ficifoliae, respectively. P. ubiquitus populations fed on the fig bud and leaf mites multiplied 18-55 and 17-40 t imes in a generation time of 27.18 and 28.72 days, respectively. It proved to be a more voracious predator on E.ficus than on R. ficifoliae.