Observations on the Biology of Hormosianoetus mahunkai Eraky and Shoker, 1993 (Acari: Histiostomatidae)

Abstract

This study was conducted to throw lights on the effect of food types on the biological aspects of Hormosianoetus mahunkai Eraky and Shoker, collected from a culture of fungus, Fusarium oxysporum. Generation period as well as female life span, and fecundity were recorded when reared on dry yeast granules, wheat germ and F. oxysporum separately at 27+2 °C and 85+5 % R.H.. The longest female Life cycle of was when fed on F. oxysporum (4.450 days) while the shortest was recorded for males when fed on dry yeast granules (2.760 days). Females lived shorter than males and its fecundity recorded the highest number of deposited eggs when fed on dry yeast granules (181.000 eggs with daily rate 12.800 egg/day) followed by Wheat germ and F. oxysporum (158.500 and 144.500 eggs), respectively.