Bionomics of Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese) (Acarina: Laelapidae) a predator of mite pests of stored cereals

Abstract

The life history of Androlaelaps casalis (Berlese) was studied at 25.6, 26.7, 30.0, 32.8, and 36.0 °C. Each A. casalis female consumed 2.1 ± 0.6 adult female Glycyphagus domesticus per day; males consumed 0.85 ± 0.2 female G. domesticus per day. An average of 27.4 ± 4.7 G. domesticus protonymphs were consumed during development to adulthood of immature A. casalis males. Other foods included brewer's yeast, Acarus siro (L.), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank), Aëroglyphus robustus (Banks), the predator Blattisocius keegani (Fox), and the young larvae of Tribolium confusum (Duval).