Biology of Suidasia pontifica Oudemans (Acari: Acaridida: Suidasiidae)

Issue Date

10-1998

Abstract

The biology of Suidasia pontifica Oudemans was studied using yeast as rearing medium. The eggs hatched within a period of 2.0 to 3.0 days (2.64 ± 0.31) after oviposition. Developmental stages included the larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult. All of these stages underwent a quiescent period prior to molting. The larval period ranged from 1.0 to 2.5 days (1.0 ± 0.46) and 1.5 to 4.0 days (2.46 ± 0.83) for male and female, respectively. The protonymphal period ranged from 1.0 to 2.0 days (1.52 ± 0.37) and 1.0 to 2.5 days (1.58 ± 0.47) for male and female, respectively. The deutonymphal stage range from 1.0 to 2.0 days (1.46 ± 0.32) for male and 1.5 to 4.5 days (2.2 ± 0.72) for female. The total life span of adult males ranged from 26.0 to 34.0 (29.05 ± 3.08), that of mated females 12.0 to 35.0 days (19.85 ± 6.88). The total number of eggs laid by a mated female throughout its oviposition period ranged from 289.0 to 907.0 while eggs produced per day ranged from 1.0 to 116. The total life span of unmated females ranged from 14.0 to 55.0 days (41.95 ± 15.30). Some of the unmated females exhibited parthenogenesis and could lay eggs as many as 606 eggs per female, and daily egg production could reach as high as 84. Hatchability of eggs was 97% and 96% for mated and unmated female, respectively. Mortality of S. pontifica was quite heavy at young age. Predatory mites which were observed feeding on S. pontifica were Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans (Cheyletidae) and Blattisocius sp. (Ascidae).

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

12

Issue

2

Page

137-153

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

tables; figures

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

ACARI; PREDATORY MITES; MITES; LIFE CYCLE; REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS