Development and survival of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) at constant temperatures

The developmental rate and survival of immature stages of mold mite. Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), were examined at seven constant temperatures, ranging front 10 to 34 degreesC, and a relative humidity of 90 +/- 5%. The larval stage seas particularly susceptible to lose and high temperatures with 93.6 and 54% mortality at 10 and 34 degreesC, respectively. The optimal temperature fur development and survival appeared to he 30 degreesC. Three nonlinear (Logan type III. Lactin, and Briere) models provided a reliable fit of the relationship between developmental rates and temperature (R-a(2) > 0.93) for all immature stages. The upper threshold predicted by the three models were similar for all developmental stages, ranging from 35.5 degreesC (larvae) to 37.4 degreesC (eggs). In contrast. the lower threshold was greater using the Briere (8.8-10.5 degreesC) model compared with the Logan type III and Lactic model for all stages. Both Lactin and Logan III predicted similar lower threshold, though it was lower for Logan III (4.4-7.3 degreesC) for all stages. except for the larvae. where both models predicted the sane temperature threshold (6.1 degreesC). The low thermal variations of the environments where T. putrescentiae live have probably favored similar thermal threshold variations in the, different immature stages. The potential of these models to predict the development of this mite is discussed.