Developmental Period and Fecundity of Histiogaster sp. (Acari: Acaridae) on Three Fungi

Abstract

Histiogaster sp. was reared individually on fungal colonies of Hypocrea nigricans, Flammulina velutipes and Lentinus edodes, and its developmental period, fertility and the longevity of females were observed under various temperatures. The mites developed faster when they were reared at higher temperatures of 20, 25 or 30°C. This temperature domain is within a range of the optimum temperature conditions for culturing these three fungi. The developmental period of Histiogaster sp. was also examined at 33°C on H. nigricans, but no further increase in the developmental rate was noted. Whereas the mites developed well on colonies of F. velutipes and H. nigricans, they never showed any sign of development on L. edodes. Fertility was higher at lower temperatures on the colonies of H. nigricans and F. velutipes due to greater longevity of the mites. When two fungi were compared, the mites showed a higher fertility and lived longer on the colony of H. nigricans than on F. velutipes at both 20°C and 25°C. These results suggest that population growth of Histiogaster sp. was more pronounced on the colony of H. nigricans than on F. velutipes because of their higher fertility, rather than faster development, on the former fungus. On the colony of L.edodes, the mites never established a population due to a lack of development. © 1993, JAPANESE SOCIETY OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY AND ZOOLOGY. All rights reserved.