Effect of temperature on biology and population growth parameters of Oligonychus tylus (Acari: Tetranychidae) on banana

The effect of temperature on the development, reproduction, and demographic traits of Oligonychus tylus was studied on banana ( Musa spp.) under controlled laboratory conditions at constant temperatures of 24 ℃, 28 ℃, and 32°C, with a relative humidity of 70–80%. The mite completed its development from egg to adult at all tested temperatures, and the duration of each developmental stage decreased with increasing temperature. The overall developmental period decreased from 10.36 to 6.50 days for female, and 10.15 to 6.10 days for male. Reproduction parameters such as post-oviposition period, female longevity and fecundity decreased as temperature increased. The longest oviposition period was observed at 24 ℃ with 15.25 days, however the maximum fecundity was at 28 ℃ with 37 eggs per female. The key demographic parameters, including net reproduction rate ( R ₀ ), intrinsic rate of natural increase ( r _m ), mean generation time ( T ), finite rate of increase ( λ ), and gross reproduction rate ( GRR ), varied significantly with temperature. These findings demonstrate the substantial influence of temperature on the life history and population dynamics of O. tylus .