Environmental Entomology (1984) 13, 338-343

T.M. Perring, T.O. Holtzer, J.L. Toole, J.M. Norman and G.L. Myers (1984)
Influences of temperature and humidity on pre-adult development of the Banks grass mite (Acari: Tetranychidae)
Environmental Entomology 13 (2), 338-343
Abstract: Developmental rates of pre-adult stages of Banks grass mite, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), were determined under constant temperatures (23, 25, 30, 33, 36, and 39°C). Age-specific developmental rate curves were estimated, and these indicated highly temperature-dependent rates for all stages. These curves showed that the fastest development occurred between 25 and 37°C, with maximum developmental rates predicted near 37°C. The developmental time required for egg hatch was nearly 50% of the total immature developmental time. The influence of humidity on pre-adult development was studied by using specially designed humidity chambers. Chambers were calibrated to deliver high, medium, and low vapor pressure deficits at 25, 33, 36, and 39°C. Under these conditions, humidity had little effect on development, except at 39°C, low vapor pressure deficit. In this environment, egg hatch was severely reduced. This study suggests that developmental rates in high-temperature environments may contribute to Banks grass mite outbreaks. Humidity did not seem to influence the developmental rate, but may be an important variable in egg survival at high temperatures.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: English)
Database assignments for author(s): Thomas M. Perring

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Oligonychus pratensis	Maize/corn (Zea mays)