Estudios básicos tendientes a la optimización de un sistema de cría masiva de Typhlodromalus tenuiscutus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) un depredador de ácaros de yuca = Basic studies conducted to the optimization of a mass rearing system for Typhlodromalus tenuiscutus (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a predator of cassava mites

For a number of years the Personnel of the acarology biological control project at CIAT has developed and adapted various systems for mass-rearing phytoseiid mites. one of which is that of Mesa and Bellotti (1987). This is a simple system using cassava leaves infested with phytophagous mites to feed phytoseiids in enclosed plastic containers. Although data on the production rate of this system have been collected, a population dynamic model does not exist, which could help to plan and optimize production. As a basis for developing a computer model we have collected data on development time, fecundity, prey consumption, and production of progeny in Mesa-Bellotti cultures of the phytoseiid Typhlodromalus tenuiscutus. In all the experiments cassava leaves infested with Mononychellus caribbeanae were used to provide prey. The experiments on demography and prey consumption were conducted on leaf disks in plastic vials making daily observations. The experiment on colony production was initiated with 50, 100 and 200 females, and adult females were harvested weekly for 8 weeks. Development time from egg to adult was 6.0 days at 25 degrees C, 67 percent of the eggs reached adulthood, the sex ratio was 70% females, and the average longevity of adult females was 30.8 days. The periods of preo-viposition, oviposition and postoviposition were 1.8, 16.4 and 4.6 days, respectively, and average fecundity was 29.3 eggs eng