مشخصات پژوهش

Macrolophus pygmeus (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a polyphagous predatory bug. In this research, the life history of M. pygmeus on the two species of solanaceous host plants including Solanum melongena L. (eggplant) and Lycopersicum esculentum Mill. (tomato) fed on T. urticae was studied under laboratory conditions. Life table parameters were determined by age-stage two-sex life table model. Results showed that pre-adult period of predator bugs on the eggplant was shorter in comparison with the tomato. In other words, immature predator bugs reach adult stage earlier fed on T. urticae on the in tomato comparison with the eggplant. Also the fecundity of bugs was higher on the eggplant than that of on the tomato (46.75±1.24 and 55.64±1.46 eggs/female on the eggplant and tomato, respectively). According to the results, the values of r, R0 and T of M. pygmaeus were affected by the host plants, significantly. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and net reproductive rate (R0) were 0.67±0.004 day-1 and 21.16±0.25 offspring on the eggplant and were 0.8±0.001 day-1 and 32.07±0.06 offspring on the tomato, respectively with significant difference between two host plants. Also, the mean generation time (T) was 45.72±0.11 days on the eggplant and 39.47±0.31 days on the tomato with significant difference between two host plants. The results indicated that the population parameters and biological characteristics of M. pygmaeus were influenced by host plant under the laboratory conditions. Moreover, under this research conditions tomato was a suitable host plant for M. pygmaeus compare to eggplant.