Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) is a species widely spread and naturally occurring in the tropics and subtropics regions. This species is also associated with perennial plants and considered an important predator of Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) in coconut trees (Cocos nucifera L.). The objective of this research was to determinate the thermal requirements of A. largoensis fed with a combination of Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), pollen of Ricinus communis L. and a 10 % honey solution. The study was conducted at 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30°C, 70 ± 10 % relative humidity and 12 h photophase. At these temperatures, the period from egg-adult lasted 14.0, 8.6, 6.1, 5,0 e 3.9 respectively. At those temperatures, the threshold temperature for the development of larva, protonynph, deutonymph and egg-adult were 13.3, 13.3, 13.5, 11.9 and 13.3°C, and the thermal constants were 20.9, 13.5, 14.9, 18.9 and 66.1 degree-days, respectively. The fertility life table parameters were better in the 27 and 30°C.
Aceria guerreronis; biological control; predator; coconut palm
