The direct toxicity of some mineral and plant oils to the eggs and females of the two spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch was tested. KZ oil was toxic to the egg stage compared to adult female. In contrast, Natur'l oil has a close toxic effect for both stages of T. urticae. Bio-dux oil was proved to be toxic to adult female and relatively in toxic to egg stage. Females of T. urticae suffered a depression in reproduction and shortened longevity when kept on plant leaves previously treated with different oils. Laboratory studies indicated that the vegetable oil Natur'l oil was effective on all biological aspects of T. urticae studied.

Biological aspects and life table parameters of the predacious mites, Typhlodromips swirskii (Athias-Henriot) and Euseius scutalis (Athias-Henriot) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) consuming eggs of the Maskell scale insect, Insulaspis pallidula (Green) and the red date scale insect, Phoenicococcus marlatti Cockerell (Homoptera: Diaspididae, Phoenicococcidae) as well as pollen grains of date palm, Phoenyx dactylifera L. were determined under laboratory conditions. The life cycle and pre-oviposition period of T. swirskii were the shortest, while the oviposition period and female longevity were the longest as well as the egg production was the highest when fed on pollen compared with eggs of I. pallidula and P. marlatti. On the other hand, the life cycle, preoviposition and oviposition periods as well as the female longevity of E. scutalis were the best when devoured P. marlatti followed by pollen and I. pallidula. However, the total and daily fecundity of E. scutalis were the highest after consuming pollen compared with eggs of P. marlatti and I. pallidula. The sex ratio of females to total in the progeny of T. swirskii and E. scutalis was the highest when consumed I. pallidula followed by pollen and P. marlatti. Life table parameters were the most favourable for T. swirskii and E. scutalis feeding on date palm pollen compared with eggs of I. pallidula and P. marlatti.

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