THE INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE HOUSE DUST MITE DERMATOPHAGOIDES PTERONYSSINUS TROUESSART 1897 (ACARI : PYROGLYPHIDAE)

Abstract

Duration of each developmental stage of the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus together with the mortality percentage were observed at a combination of five different temperatures namely 20C°, 22.5C°, 25C°, 27.5C° and 30C° and four different humidities namely 55%, 75%, 85% and 95% r. h. Results showed that temperature had the greatest effect on the life cycle period. The higher the temperature the shorter the life cycle was aid versa verea. On the other hand, humidity seems to be less effectiveness, though at the higher temperature and humidity no development was occured. Mortality among all temperatures and humidities appeared nearly the same, but at higher temperature and higher humidity and because of mould growth high mortality occured. High mortality occured at the egg or larval stage, protonymph and tritonymph had low mortality percentage. All data were discussed statically to show the significant differences if present.