Biología de Oligonychus peruvianus McGregor (Acari Tetranychidae) en dos cultivares aguacate (Persea americana Mill)

Abstract

The avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is an important fruit tree that is commercially grown in several tropical and subtropical regions. This species is attacked by different species of mites, including Oligonychus peruvianus; however, there are few studies on this topic. According to this, this research aimed to evaluate the bioecological aspects of Oligonychus peruvianus McGregor (Acari Tetranychidae) in avocado (Persea americana Mill). The biology of the mite was studied on two avocado cultivars (Verde and Hass), under laboratory conditions using rearing units. The biological cycle (eggadult) was longer when the females were reared on leaves of cultivar Verde (19.5 days), while in cultivar Hass, this time was reduced by 17.4 % (16.1 days). Females showed greater longevity when they were reared on Hass leaves (20.8 days), while in the Verde, the lifespan was reduced to 12.8 days. Furthermore, fecundity was significantly higher in females reared on Hass leaves (23.8 eggs/female) and decreased to 12.6 eggs/female in females reared on avocado cv. Verde. According to the results, the cultivar Hass seems to offer the best conditions for the development of the mite, therefore, this information should be taken into account when establishing and designing pest management plans. Keywords: avocado, biology, fecundity, longevity, oviposition rate.