Thermal requirements of Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) (Acari: Dermanyssidae)

Abstract

The thermal requirements for development of Dermanyssus gallinae were studied under laboratory conditions at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C, a 12h photoperiod and 60-85% RH. The thermal requirements for D. gallinae were as follows. Preoviposition: base temperature 3.4ºC, thermal constant (k) 562.85 degree-hours, determination coefficient (R²) 0.59, regression equation: Y= -0.006035 + 0.001777 x. Egg: base temperature 10.60ºC, thermal constant (k) 689.65 degree-hours, determination coefficient (R²) 0.94, regression equation: Y= -0.015367 + 0.001450 x. Larva: base temperature 9.82ºC, thermal constant (k) 464.91 degree-hours, determination coefficient R² 0.87, regression equation: Y= -0.021123+0.002151 x. Protonymph: base temperature 10.17ºC, thermal constant (k) 504.49 degree-hours, determination coefficient (R²) 0.90, regression equation: Y= -0.020152 + 0.001982 x. Deutonymph: base temperature 11.80ºC, thermal constant (k) 501.11 degree-hours, determination coefficient (R²) 0.99, regression equation: Y= -0.023555 + 0.001996 x. The results obtained showed that 15 to 42 generations of Dermanyssus gallinae may occur during the year in the State of São Paulo, as estimated based on isotherm charts. Dermanyssus gallinae may develop continually in the State of São Paulo, with a population decrease in the winter. There were differences between the developmental stages of D. gallinae in relation to thermal requirements.