LAUSR

Abstract The effect of nine constant temperatures on developmental time of Oligota flavicornis (Boisduval and Lacordaire) preying on Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acari: Tetranychidae) eggs was determined under laboratory conditions of 75 ± 5% RH and a 16:8 (L:D) h photoperiod. O. flavicornis survival rates were highest between 18 and 30°C, although O. flavicornis eggs developed successfully to adults at 12–32°C, and the developmental durations to adult at the seven temperatures (12, 15, 18, 20, 25, 30, and 32°C) were 114.41, 51.66, 33.45, 23.21, 13.43, 11.54, and 17.18 d, respectively. Two linear and seven nonlinear models (Logan-6 and Logan-10, Taylor, Lactin-1 and Lactin-2, and Brière-1 and Brière-2) were fit to the developmental rates of the immature predatory stages to estimate the thermal constant (K) and critical temperatures.The lower temperature threshold (T0) and K for the immature stages using the common linear model were 9.96°C and 225.73 degree-days and Ikemoto–Takai linear model were 11.01°C and 167.14 degree-days, respectively.The upper temperature threshold values estimated by the Logan-6 and Lactin-1 models were both 34.86°C.The T0 values estimated by the Brière-1 and Brière-2 models were 10.67 and 9.32°C for all immature stages, respectively, and the estimated optimal temperature according to the Brière-2 model was 29.59°C. Therefore, the two linear models and Brière-2 model estimates approximated the actual relationship between the temperature and developmental rate of immature O. flavicornis.