Bionomics of the Pear Bud Mite Eriophyes pyri (Pagenstecher) (Acari: Eriophyidae) in Egypt

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

1 Plant Protection Dept., National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

2 Dept. of Agric. Zoology and Nematology, Faculty of Agric., Al-Azhar Univ., Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Population of the pear bud mite Eriophyes pyri (Pagenstecher) was observed for one year in an abandoned apple orchard in Egypt. Its population dynamics were affected by climatic conditions and vertical distribution. Mite density within the buds increased in spring, summer and winter recording three peaks in early March, early July and mid-December. About 11generations were recorded on Anna apple cultivar. Buds at middle level of trees were found preferable to the mite infestation than those at top and bottom. The mite successfully developed from egg to adult when reared on terminal buds of soft divided apple branches dipped in test tubes at 26 ± 1°C and 70±5% R.H. Life table parameters showed that the mean generation time was (17.51 days) and population increase Ro 10.93 times. The finite rate of increase (erm) was 1.14 times /♀/day.

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