Age-stage, two-sex life tables of the predatory mite cheyletus malaccensis oudemans at different temperatures

Abstract

Cheyletus malaccensis Oudemans is a predatory mite inhabiting grain depots in China. The relationship between temperature and the population growth rate of C. malaccensis is useful for predicting its population dynamics. Age-stage, two-sex life tables of the predator, C. malaccensis, reared on Acarus siro were constructed under laboratory conditions at 22, 24, 28, 30, and 32◦ C, 75% relative humidity, and a 0:24 h (L:D) photoperiod. Increasing temperature shortened the development time of the immature stages. The complete generation time of C. malaccensis ranged from 11.10 d to 27.50 d. Life table parameters showed that 28◦ C was the optimum temperature for the growth and development of C. malaccensis; populations could increase rapidly at this temperature. The highest net reproductive rate (R0 = 290.25) and highest fecundity (544.52) occurred at 28◦ C. Temperature significantly affected the intrinsic rate of increase (r), fecundity, and finite rate of increase (λ). The values of age-specific fecundity (high to low) were 28◦ C > 24◦ C > 30◦ C > 32◦ C > 22◦ C, while the values of age-stage-specific fecundity had the same trend.