Influence of temperature and controlled atmosphere on development and reproduction of the mold mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae)

Abstract

In laboratory experiments, the egg, larva, protonympb and deutonympb, and female adult of the mold mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae were exposed to three atmospheric. environments 10%CO2 5%O2 85%N2, 16%CO2 9%O2 75%N2 and natural atmosphere, at six temperatures of 15°C, 20°C, 25°C, 28°C, 30°C and 32°C. The developmental time and survival rate of each immature stage, and the pre-oviposition period, oviposition period, longevity and fecundity of female adults at each combination of atmospheres and temperatures are given. Statistically significant curves of developmental time and survival rate for the whole immature period, and fecundity in different temperatures and atmosphere conditions are simulated. The results show that controlled atmospheres bad an obvious influence on development and reproduction of the mite compared with natural atmosphere, and 10%CO2 and 5%O2 bad stronger inhibition than 16%CO2 and 9%O2. The inhibition was stronger at higher temperatures. The larva was most sensitive to controlled atmosphere, followed by protonymph, deutonymph and egg. The controlled atmosphere made the pre-oviposition period longer, oviposition period shorter, longevity of the female adult shorter and fecundity lower. The pre-oviposition period and longevity of the female adult decreasedlinearly with the increase of temperature, but oviposition period and fecundity changed like a parabola.