International Journal of Acarology (2004) 30, 63-70

Tommaso Ansaloni and Thomas M. Perring (2004)
Biology of Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae) on queen palm, Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecaceae)
International Journal of Acarology 30 (1), 63-70
Abstract: In 1997, an eriophyoid mite associated with meristem necrosis and death of young queen palm seedlings, Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman, was discovered in a number of southern California nurseries. The mite was identified as Aceria guerreronis Keifer, the coconut mite. In this paper we describe the effect of temperature on immature development and mortality, and we also report female fecundity and longevity. Development from egg to adult required 30.5, 16.0, 11.5, 8.1 and 6.8 days at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35°C, respectively, and the thermal maximum was estimated to be close to 40°C. Optimal development was determined from the total immature developmental rate curve to be at 33.60°C, while the lower threshold for development was 9.36°C. Using these values, we found that 172.71 degree days are required for mites to mature. from the egg to the adult stage. As adults, fertilized females laid more eggs and lived longer than non-fertilized females, with a maximum of 51 eggs produced over a maximum of 43 days longevity. Non-fertilized females laid eggs resulting only in male offspring, indicating this species is arrhenotokous.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Thomas M. Perring

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

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aceria guerreronis	Syagrus (genus)	U.S.A. (SW)