Temperature and humidity effects on physogastric development and reproduction of the mushroom mite Dolichocybe perniciosa (Acari: Dolichocybidae)

摘要

The effects of temperature and humidity on physogastric development and reproduction of the mushroom mite Dolichocybe perniciosa (Acari: Dolichocybidae) were observed at five temperatures (8, 13, 18, 25 and 28 degrees C), five relative humidities (22, 55, 65, 81 and 92% RH) and dark condition. Temperatures significantly affected the settling time, pre-physogastry time, physogastry rate, generation time and the number of progenies in physogastry, while humidity had little effect on these factors. Settling rate of wondering adult females increased and pre-physogastry time shortened with the increase of temperature. In the range of 13 degrees C to 28 degrees C more than two thirds of wondering females settled within 72 hours which was significantly higher than that at 8 degrees C. About 60 to 64 progenies were produced when temperature was above 18 degrees C. Dolichocybe perniciosa had the ability to survive at temperatures as high as 38 degrees C and as low as 0 degrees C after 24 hours but failed to settle and feed at -20 degrees C or 42 degrees C. It was capable to recover after being treated at 0 degrees C for 72 hours.