Effect of Temperature on Biological Aspects, Fecundity and Life Table Parameters of The Predatory Mite, Cheyletus malaccensis

Abstract

The predatory mite, Cheyletus malaccensis (Oud.) was recorded to be the communist predacious mites of family Cheyletidae, it was found associated with other different mite species and immature stages of insects, which were collected from palm tree fibers in Damietta Governorate. Biological aspects, fecundity and life table parameters of Cheyletus malaccensis were studied under laboratory conditions at 25 and 35 o C and 65% R.H. Feeding on Immatures of Tyrophagus putrescentiae . Obtained results showed that the developmental stages of both female and male were affected by temperature as a vital environmental factor, were as its decreased as well as temperature increased. Also, deposited an average of 98.9 and 57.75 eggs during 54.18 and 13.1 days, with a daily rate of 1.8 and 4.5 eggs at 25 and 35 o C. Life table parameters showed highest value of the net reproductive rate (R o ) as 62.83 at 25 o C. Sex ratios were 0.46 for both temperatures.