Biological characteristics and life table parameters of the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae (Koch) were studied when fed on leaves of two apple cultivars (i.e. Golden and Starking dilishz) under laboratory conditions 25±1 Cº, relative hum
idity 65±5% and 16L:8D. The intrinsic rate of increase (rm) by females of T.urticae was higher on leaves of Starking dilishz apple cultivar than on leaves of Golden dilishz apple cultivar (0.30, 0.27 female/female/day) respectively, while the generation time (T) and the time required for doubling the number of community mite (DT) were lower on leaves of Starking dilishz apple cultivars than on leaves of Golden dilishz apple cultivars (13.77, 2.3 days and 14.54, 2.55 days) respectively. The duration of the stages of growth from egg to adult female on leaves of Golden dilishz apple cultivar was longer than on Starking dilishz apple cultivars, where was (13.32 ± 1.15 and 12.22 ± 1.13), respectively, The Total fecundity on Golden dilishz apple cultivar was lower than on Starking dilishz cultivar (83.11 ± 8.91, 101.62 ± 15.48 eggs/female) respectively, The adult longevity on Golden dilishz leaves was lower than on Starking dilishz cultivar (15.33 ± 1.35, 17.14 ± 1.07 days) respectively, These differences on the apple varieties may be due to the chemical content and quality of the food and nature of the host tissue plant and the specifications can affect the rate of oviposition and development. and thus the Starking dilishz apple cultivars was more suitable for the development and reproduction of T. urticae compared with the Golden dilishz apple cultivar.
The aim of the research was to study seasonal changes communities of spider mites
and predatory mite Typhlodromus athiasae Porath and Swirski on two apple cultivars
(Golden and red Delicious) from orchards located in two regions: Al-Mokharam and Al
-
Qusayr during the beginning May 2013 and the end of October 2014. The results showed
that the highest density of the spider mites was in two essential period in early and mid
summer, while T.athiasae started its active with started pery active, that started appear in
the may, and the top of its number was in July, The mean density of the mite predator and
spider mites was higher on the red Delicious apple cultivar compared to Golden Delicious
with significant differences, and its presence was higher in the Al-Qusayr region compared
to the Al-Mokharam region with significant differences, also remarked this predator on
some surrounding vegetation in these orchards.
