Preimaginal development and fecundity of Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Acari: Laelapidae) feeding on Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Acari: Acaridae) at constant temperatures

The laelapid mite, Gaeolaelaps aculeifer (Canestrini) is widespread in soil habitats and feeds on different small arthropods, fungi and nematodes. The development and fecundity of G. aculeifer feeding on Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze & Robin) as prey was studied at eight different constant temperatures which include: 16, 17.5, 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30 and 32.5 ?C, with relative humidity of 60 ± 5%, and a 16:8 h (Light: Dark) photoperiod. The results showed that the development time of immature stages were 30.80 ± 0.68, 30.57 ± 0.42 days at 16 °C; 8.66 ± 0.09, 8.20 ± 0.18 days at 30 °C and 9.86 ± 0.19, 9.77 ± 0.22 days at 32.5 °C for females and males, respectively. The pre-oviposition period considerably varied from 7.60 ± 3.02 days at 16 °C to 0.81 ± 0.09 days at 30 °C and then increased to 2.07 ± 0.25 days at 32.5 °C. The oviposition period decreased with increasing temperature from 36.93 ± 2.66 days at 20 °C to 17.67 ± 1.90 days at 32.5 °C. The average life span of females was 102.40 ± 8.08 days at 16 °C and 37.21 ± 1.98 days at 32.5 °C. The mean daily oviposition per female increased from 0.49 ± 0.14 at 16 °C to 3.76 ± 0.13 at 30 °C and decreased to 1.88 ± 0.15 at 32.5 °C.