Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the rate of development, fecundity and life table parameters of the red spider mite oligonychus mangiferus (rahman and, sapra) (acari: tetranychidae)

Studies on biology of oligonychus mangiferus (rahman and sapra) at combination of eight constant temperatures and relative humidities (rhs) viz., 7.0°c with 85% rh, i0°c with 80% rh, 15.0°c with 75% rh, 23.0°c with 70% rh, 31.0°c with 65% rh, 34.0°c with 65% rh, 36.0°c with 60% rh and 40.0°c with 55% rh revealed that the optimal condition for the development of these mites are 15.0-31.0°c and 65-75% rh. the highest temperature and the lowest rh accelerated the rate of development and induced more reproduction of o. mangiferus. its population also multiplied 30.81 times in a generation time of 27.36 days at 31.0°c and 65% rh, while the same population only increased 7.46 times in a generation time of 48.07 days at 15.0°c and 75% rh. fecundity was highest at 31.0°c and 65% rh with 46.43 eggs per female. the highest intrinsic rate of natural increase was observed at 31.0°c as 0.125 per day.