Effect of Photoperiod on the Development and the Reproduction of Cassava Green Mite Mononchellus mcgregori
Photoperiod was one of the important ecological factors for the development and reproduction of Mononychellus mcgregori.In order to determine the potential distribution and to analyze its invasion,diffusion and ecological adaptation mechanisms,this study investigated the effect of photoperiod on the development and reproduction of the mite.The results indicated that the photoperiod significantly influenced its development and reproduction.The suitable photoperiod for the development and reproduction of M.mcgregori was 12~14 h.Through influenced mainly the development duration of eggs and the protonymphs,the photoperiod influenced the total development duration of M.mcgregori.As the photoperiod extended,the total development duration of M.mcgregori decreased.All eggs could hatch when the photoperiod was extended to 12 h and 14 h,but the longevity of female adults decreased when the photoperiod shorter than 10 h.With the photoperiod extended from 6 h to 14 h,the fecundity of per female increased,but that of it decreased when the photoperiod continued to extend.No significant differences were observed in the female percentage of M.mcgregori under exposure of different photoperiod.