Life history and population growth parameters of Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Acari: Acaridae) on Fusarium graminearum in laboratory conditions

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Abstract

The life history of an acarid mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), on Fusarium graminearum Clade was investigated at 25 ± 1°C, 60 ± 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16: 8 (L: D) h. Incubation period for egg hatch, larval and nymphal periods and adult longevity were 2.22 ± 0.06, 3.46 ± 0.12, 4.84 ± 0.16 and 10.05 ± 0.9 days, respectively. The average life span of males and females were 22.22 ± 1.21 and 19.08 ± 1.37 days respectively. Pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 2.22, 5.77 and 1.4 days respectively. Gross and net fecundity rates were obtained 76.2 and 23 eggs per female per generation respectively. Net reproduction rate was 12.5 female eggs per female per generation, and average daily oviposition rate was 5.7 eggs. The intrinsic and finite rates of population increase were 0.15 and 1.16 day-1 respectively. The mean generation time (T) and the mean doubling time (DT) were 16.74 and 4.59 days respectively. The population mainly (78%) consisted of eggs and larvae, and nymphs and adults represented only 22% of the population.

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