INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY ON MORTALITY AND RATE OF DEVELOPMENT OF IMMATURE STAGES OF THE MITE TYROPHAGUS PUTRESCENTIAE (SCHRANK) (ACARINA: ACARIDAE) REARED ON MOLD CULTURES

Abstract

Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), a mite that infests stored food products, was reared individually on mold cultures at all combinations of five temperatures and four humidities. Mortality during immature stages was lowest at 72.5° F and 80% to 90% R.H. Development was usually accelerated by an increase in either of these two factors. Temperature and humidity had a direct influence on mortality and rate of development, but humidity also had an indirect effect by affecting the mold on which the mite feeds. Adults obtained at 70% R.H. were usually relatively small in size. Sex ratio of the adults was approximately one to one; the males developed faster than the females.