title: Life-cycle, longevity and fecundity of Blomia tropicalis (Acari: Glycyphagidae) in a tropical laboratory.
abstract: In the present study on the life-cycle of Blomia tropicalis, freshly laid eggs were observed until they developed into adults; the development periods between stages were recorded. The eggs took an average of 22.9 +/- 6.4 days to develop to adults. For longevity experiments, newly emerged adults were kept at 25 degrees C and observed until they died. There was no significant difference in longevities of the different sexes (p = 0.053). Production of eggs by mated females were monitored until egg production stopped and the female died. Mated females and males survived an average of 32.2 +/- 15.4 and 30.9 +/- 17.7 days respectively. The difference in longevity of the mated females, and males was not significant (p = 0.747). Longevity of the mated females was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) shorter than unmated females.
authors.affiliation: Division of Acarology, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mariana
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Heah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008136:Longevity; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000502:physiology*; D014330:Tropical Medicine
chemical_list: D004391:Dust