THE EFFECTS OF HIGH HUMIDITY AND DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES ON THE BIOLOGY OF TYROPHAGUS PUTRESCENTIAE (SCHRANK) (ACARINA:TYROGLIPHIDAE)

Abstract

The biology and reproductive rates of Tyrophagus putrescentiae have been examined for different temperatures and high humidity. The most rapid development took place at 32.2 °C, whereas 33.9 °C was slightly less favorable. A normal life cycle was accomplished at 11.2 °C. It was calculated that the major portions of populations of T putrescentiae with stable age distributions are the non-mobile stages: the eggs comprise over half of population and one-third of the immature stages are quiescent. The adults account for close to 10% of the population. These theoretical data were confirmed by the examination of a young culture. It was concluded that sampling techniques should account for the immobile stages to give a true picture of a population of this species.