Abstract: In order to understand the influence of Malus sieversii subsp. kirghisorum and M. domestica Golden Delicious on the development and reproduction of the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), age-stage two-sex life tables of the experimental population of P. ulmi on the two varieties under the conditions of 23±1℃, 75%±5% relative humidity and a photoperiod of 16L∶8D in the laboratory were constructed. The results showed that there were significant differences in female adult longevity, oviposition period and fecundity between P. ulmi mites reared on M. sieversii subsp. kirghisorum and on M. domestica Golden Delicious (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found in total developmental duration, total pre-oviposition period and survival rate of immatures between P. ulmi mites on M. sieversii subsp. kirghisorum and on M. domestica Golden Delicious. The total developmental duration of P. ulmi on M. sieversii subsp. kirghisorum and M. domestica Golden Delicious were 12.60 d and 12.54 d for females, and 11.40 d and 11.67 d for males, respectively. The longevity of female P. ulmi mites reared on M. domestica Golden Delicious (13.46 d) was longer than those on M. sieversii subsp. kirghisorum (10.88 d). The oviposition periods of P. ulmi on M. domestica Golden Delicious and M. sieversii subsp. kirghisorum were 10.55 d and 8.3 d, respectively. The number of eggs laid per female was significantly higher on M. domestica Golden Delicious (34.12 eggs/female) than on M. sieversii subsp. kirghisorum (22.48 eggs/female) (P<0.05). The intrinsic rate of increase (r), the net reproductive rate (R₀), the mean generation time (T) and the finite rate of increase (λ) of P. ulmi mites reared on M. sieversii subsp. kirghisorum were 0.1354, 11.96, 18.33 and 1.1450, respectively, while those reared on M. domestica Golden Delicious were 0.1489, 17.39, 19.18 and 1.1606, respectively. The results of population dynamic parameters suggest that the population growth of P. ulmi mites reared on M. domestica Golden Delicious is quicker than those reared on M. sieversii subsp. kirghisorum. The results may contribute to further understanding of the population dynamics of P. ulmi occurring on M. sieversii and M. domestica, and provide a theoretical basis to breed mite-resistant apple varieties and to promote comprehensive management for P. ulmi.

Key words: Panonychus ulmi, apple, Malus sieversii, experimental population, age-stage two-sex life table