云南省锡金小鼠体表革螨感染分析

为了解云南省锡金小鼠(Mus pahari)体表革螨的感染情况及分布规律,本研究基于1990至2015年云南省39个县(市)的调查数据,统计分析锡金小鼠体表革螨的基本感染情况和感染差异。使用聚块指数测定革螨空间分布型,用Jaccard指数计算革螨物种相似性。从捕获的720只锡金小鼠体表共采集到革螨14 098只,鉴定为2科12属37种。贵州厉螨(Laelaps guizhouensis)、贫毛厉螨(L. paucisetosa)和兴义厉螨(L. xingyiensis)是优势革螨,其在不同个体的锡金小鼠体表均呈聚集分布。不同地理景观中采集的锡金小鼠体表革螨的种类和数量相差大,山区景观中采集的锡金小鼠体表革螨的感染率Pm、平均多度MA和感染度MI均明显高于坝区景观中采集的个体(P0.05)。不同性别的锡金小鼠体表革螨物种中度相似,雄鼠的平均多度和感染度高于雌鼠(P 0.05)。种-样方关系图显示革螨物种数随宿主抽样量的增加而增加。结果表明,锡金小鼠体表革螨感染普遍,三个优势螨种在不同个体的宿主体表呈聚集分布,采自不同地理景观的锡金小鼠体表革螨构成差异较大。     

云南省三个不同纬度梯度两种家鼠体表恙螨生态分布的研究

通过对构成比、总感染率、总平均多度、总感染度、多样性指数和均匀度等常规统计指标进行分析,比较了云南省内三个不同纬度梯度中黄胸鼠和褐家鼠两种家鼠体表恙螨的分布差异和分布规律。捕获两种家鼠共944只,从其体表共采集到6409只恙螨,经分类鉴定隶属于2亚科10属64种。统计分析结果表明,低纬度地区两种家鼠体表恙螨的物种丰富度高于中、高两个纬度地区,低纬度地区中两种家鼠体表恙螨的总感染率(P)、总平均多度(MA)和总感染度(MI)均明显高于中纬度和高纬度地区(P0.001)。低纬度地区的主要螨种是地里纤恙螨、英帕纤恙螨和微红纤恙螨;中纬度地区的主要螨种是褐鼠囊棒恙螨;高纬度地区的主要螨种是林谷棒六恙螨和攸氏无前恙螨。黄胸鼠和褐家鼠两种家鼠体表恙螨的感染状况、优势螨种构成和生态分布等因纬度和海拔梯度的不同而存在明显差异。     

云南省微板无前恙螨的初步研究

为探索云南省微板无前恙螨Walchia micropelta的分布规律及感染情况,2001—2015年选取云南省33个县(市)进行恙螨的现场调查,统计分析微板无前恙螨的构成比、感染率、平均多度和感染度,并比较其在不同生境、地域和海拔的感染差异。采用扩散指数、I指数、聚块指数和CA指数分析微板无前恙螨的空间分布型;用协调系数分析微板无前恙螨和葛洪无前恙螨W.koi的种间协调关系。结果显示,在22个调查点采集到微板无前恙螨4 014只,占全部恙螨的3.15%,且广泛分布于20种宿主体表;微板无前恙螨多采集于云南省南部,在低海拔地区、山区和室外生境的数量丰富;不同年龄宿主体表的微板无前恙螨的感染存在差异,成年宿主恙螨的构成比、感染率和平均多度均高于未成年且有统计学意义(P 0.05);微板无前恙螨与葛洪无前恙螨在黄胸鼠Rattus tanezumi体表存在正协调关系(V=0.12,P 0.05)。由此可见,云南省微板无前恙螨分布广泛,但其宿主特异性低,多聚集分布于啮齿动物上。地域、海拔、宿主的种类和年龄等因素对微板无前恙螨的感染有影响。     

川西南山区大绒鼠体表寄生虫多样性调查

在四川省西南部山区选取调查点,用鼠笼(夹)加食饵诱捕大绒鼠Eothenomys miletus,采集并鉴定其体表的所有寄生虫。从7个调查地点共捕获大绒鼠127只,采集到恙螨、革螨、蚤和吸虱4大类体表寄生虫共3128只,分类鉴定为131种。大绒鼠体表寄生虫的总感染率为96.06%,总平均多度(平均个体数,虫指数)为24.63只寄生虫/每鼠。恙螨优势种为绒鼠纤恙螨Leptotrombidium eothenomydis(24.26%,450/1855);革螨优势种为金氏厉螨Laelaps chini(70.28%,506/720);蚤类优势种为方叶栉眼蚤Ctenophthalmus quadratus(47.30%,149/315)和绒鼠怪蚤Paradoxopsyllus custodis(13.65%,43/315);吸虱优势种为缺齿甲胁虱Hoplopleura edentula(95.38%,227/238)。U检验结果显示,雌、雄大绒鼠宿主间的全部体表寄生虫、恙螨和蚤的物种数和平均个体数差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Spearman相关分析结果显示,体表寄生虫与宿主身体参数(体质量)间无明显的直线相关关系,相关系数较低(r<0.3,P<0.05)。四川西南山区大绒鼠的体表寄生虫种类十分丰富,物种多样性很高,主要寄生虫类群是恙螨和革螨,并有多种传染病媒介种类。     

贵州省部分鼠形动物体表革螨群落结构

本文汇集了1978—1988年贵州省17个县(市)的调查资料,首次对啮齿目及食虫目动物体表革螨群落结构进行了定量描述。多数宿主体表革螨种类丰富。除部分稀有种外,多数革螨宿主广泛。毒厉螨、土尔克厉螨及柏氏禽刺螨可作为多种宿主的优势革螨种。优势种在群落中的地位受物种丰富度、均匀度及多样性的影响。     

中国云南洱海周边小兽体表革螨多样性（英文）

云南大理洱海周边是我国流行性出血热的流行地区之一。本文目的是运用Shannon-Wiener、系统聚类分析方法（SPSS 13.0软件）和Levins'niche等对该区3 303只小兽体表寄生革螨的物种多样性、群落结构、相似性、分布和生态位进行研究。选择的洱海周边三个不同方位恰好处于东部无量山、南部哀老山和西部苍山,由于洱海的天然隔离使这三个方位形成了同地域异生境的地理景观。在调查点共捕获小兽宿主3 303只属4目（啮齿目、食虫目、攀鼩目和食肉目）7科15属21种,收集到的小兽体表寄生虫革螨23 196只被鉴定为6科16属43种。研究结果表明革螨群落结构复杂,物种多样性高。在不同方位革螨和它们相对应宿主的分布是不均匀的,但是洱海周边不同方位同样优势小兽上寄生的优势革螨种是一致的。结果暗示：生境影响着革螨和它们相对应小兽的物种构成和分布,如果小兽宿主的分类地位和生境相似,那么相对应的小兽宿主上的革螨群落就相似; 不同方位小兽体表寄生虫革螨的丰富度和物种多样性主要由宿主本身和宿主所栖息的生境决定;这可能是小兽和革螨之间协同进化在生态学上的一个佐证。但通过使用革螨的生态位宽度分析,革螨的宿主特异性很低,这又可能暗示着小兽和革螨之间有协同进化,但协同进化程度不高。     

中国云南小兽寄生革螨的群落结构和空间分布

寄生在小兽体表的革螨可能是传播肾综合征出血热和立克次体痘等人兽共患病的媒介。本文报道了云南省28个县(市)小兽体表革螨的野外调查结果, 运用物种数、平均丰富度和Shannon多样性指数对小兽寄生革螨的群落特征和沿环境梯度的空间分布进行了研究, 并用系统聚类分析法 (SPSS 16.0软件)对18种主要小兽的革螨群落相似性进行了比较。在云南省28个县(市)共捕获到小兽14 544头, 隶属于5目（啮齿目、食虫目、攀鼩目、兔形目、食肉目）10科35属67种, 在捕获的小兽体表采集到革螨80 791头, 经鉴定属于10科33属112种。结果分析表明: 主要的宿主动物为黄胸鼠 Rattus tanezumi、齐氏姬鼠Apodemus chevrieri和大绒鼠Eothenomys miletus;纳氏厉螨Laelaps nuttalli、毒厉螨L. echidninus和贵州厉螨L. guizhouensis为革螨的优势种。齐氏姬鼠A. chevrieri、社鼠N. confucianus和黄胸鼠R. tanezumi体表寄生的革螨种类最多;臭鼩鼱Suncus murinus、齐氏姬鼠A. chevrieri和灰麝鼩Crocidura attenuata的革螨群落多样性最高。聚类分析结果表明, 大部分革螨群落的相似程度与相应小兽的亲缘关系及所处生态环境的相似性是基本一致的, 分类地位和生境选择相似的小兽, 它们的革螨群落也被聚为一类。革螨物种数沿纬度梯度的水平分布呈现两个峰值, 最大峰值出现在25°~26°N之间;沿海拔梯度的垂直分布呈单峰分布格局, 峰值在海拔2 000~2 500 m之间。革螨和小兽的多样性沿纬度梯度和海拔梯度的空间分布趋势也均表现出随着纬度和海拔的升高而先升高后降低的单峰型分布格局, 峰值分别出现在北纬25°~27°N和海拔2 000~2 500 m之间。结果提示云南革螨群落种类丰富, 多样性高。云南革螨物种数和多样性的分布格局可能直接受到古北和东洋两区系边缘效应的影响。     

中国云南小兽体表革螨的群落相似性

运用系统聚类分析方法对中国云南省境内17种主要小型哺乳动物(小兽)体表革螨群落相似性进行研究,每一种小兽体表的所有外寄生革螨被定义为一个相应的革螨群落。运用SPSS11.5软件完成17种革螨群落的相似性比较。研究结果表明:小兽体表革螨群落结构复杂,物种多样性高;隶属同一个属的小兽体表的革螨群落相似程度高,在系统聚类分析中聚为一类;大多数革螨群落相似性大小与相应小兽宿主在动物分类上的近缘性高低呈现高度一致,但也有一些革螨群落是例外的。这说明小兽体表革螨群落不仅受小兽宿主分类地位的影响,可能还受宿主生境的影响     

新疆塔什库尔干野生动物自然保护区鸟兽资源调查

2017年11月—2019年9月对新疆塔什库尔干野生动物自然保护区的鸟类采用样带法和样点法进行调查,对保护区的大型兽类和鼠类分别采用样带法和样方法进行调查。根据野外实地调查并结合文献资料,共记录鸟类15目41科161种,兽类5目13科40种。保护区内珍稀濒危物种较多,其中国家Ⅰ级重点保护野生动物10种、国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物27种。鸟类中,古北界物种56种(34.78%)、广布种105种(65.22%);夏候鸟54种(33.54%)、留鸟68种(42.24%)、冬候鸟5种(3.11%)和旅鸟36种(22.36%)。兽类中,古北界物种36种(90.00%)、广布种4种(10.00%)。G-F指数显示,鸟类在科、属水平上的多样性较为丰富(D_F=19.58,D_G=3.60,D_(G-F)=0.816);而兽类在科、属水平上的多样性较低(D_F=6.87,D_G=3.73,D_(G-F)=0.457)。本研究为保护区管理及未来的鸟兽调查和研究提供了基础资料。     

东北边境地区鼠体外寄生蜱螨的种类组成研究

采用笼日法捕鼠,收集鼠体外寄生蜱螨,研究我国东北边境地区鼠体外寄生蜱、革螨和恙螨的种类组成.结果表明,在东北边境6市县9种鼠体采获寄生蜱螨16 565只,计16属39种,其中蜱类3属4种,革螨8属20种,恙螨5属15种.优势种群:全沟硬蜱(75.6%);耶氏历螨(25.5%),厩真历螨(21.1%);波氏新恙螨(35.0%),高丽新恙螨(22.7%).不同鼠体寄生蜱、革螨、恙螨的主要种类组成有所不同.     

在校大学生蠕形螨感染现状调查与分析

目的 了解在校大学生蠕形螨感染现状,探讨与蠕形螨感染相关因素.方法 调查时间为2009年的7月和2010年1月,采用自制刮螨器刮取法.结果 628人受检,蠕形螨感染者为250人,总感染率为39.8％,男生感染率为39.3％(103/262),女生感染率为40.2％(147/366),两者无统计学差异;夏季感染率48.0％(160/333),冬季感染率30.5％(90/295),夏季感染率显著高于冬季.结论 蠕形螨的感染率与性别无关,与季节及集体生活等因素相关.     

Cross-reactivity between storage and dust mites and between mites and shrimp

Many patients have sensitivities to multiple species of storage and house dust mites. It is not clear if this is because patients have multiple sensitivities to species-specific mite allergens or if these mites share many cross-reacting allergens. Our objective was to further define the cross-allergenicity between several species of storage and house dust mites using crossed-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE), crossed-radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE), immunoblotting, and ELISA. CIE and CRIE reactions revealed that storage mites shared two cross-antigenic molecules and one of these bound IgE in a serum pool from mite allergic patients. Antibody in anti-sera built to each species of mite recognized many SDS–PAGE resolved proteins of other mite species and this suggested the potential for other cross-reactive allergens. Among patient sera, IgE bound to many different proteins but few had IgE that bound to a protein with common molecular weights across the mite species and this suggested mostly species-specific allergens. Antiserum built to each mite species precipitated one protein in shrimp extracts that bound anti-Der p 10 (tropomyosin) and IgE in the serum pool. Anti-Der p 10 showed strong binding to shrimp tropomyosin but very little to any of the mite proteins. ELISA showed the mite extracts contained very little tropomyosin. The storage and dust mites investigated contain mostly species-specific allergens and very small amounts of the pan-allergen tropomyosin compared to shrimp and snail.     

Resistance status of the carmine spider mite,Tetranychus cinnabarinus and the twospotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae to selected acaricides on strawberries

The carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) and the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, are serious pests of strawberries and many other horticultural crops. Control of these pests has been heavily dependent upon chemical acaricides. Objectives of this study were to determine the resistance status of these two pest species to commonly used acaricides on strawberries in a year‐round intensive horticultural production region. LC₉₀ of abamectin for adult carmine spider mites was 4% whereas that for adult twospotted spider mites was 24% of the top label rate. LC_90s of spiromesifen, etoxazole, hexythiazox and bifenazate were 0.5%, 0.5%, 1.4% and 83% of their respective highest label rates for carmine spider mite eggs, 0.7%, 2.7%, 12.1% and 347% of their respective highest label rates for the nymphs. LC_90s of spiromesifen, etoxazole, hexythiazox and bifenazate were 4.6%, 11.1%, 310% and 62% of their respective highest label rates for twospotted spider mite eggs, 3%, 13%, 432,214% and 15% of their respective highest label rates for the nymphs. Our results suggest that T. cinnabarinus have developed resistance to bifenazate and that the T. urticae have developed resistance to hexythiazox. These results strongly emphasize the need to develop resistance management strategies in the region.     

Use of polypropylene bags for mass rearing Neoseiulus baraki (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a predatory mite of Aceria guerreronis Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae)

An efficient, low cost and practicable mass rearing method for the predatory mite, Neoseiulus baraki Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was developed using a bag made of two-ply polypropylene (gauge 150, 24 cm × 36 cm) sheets. Introducing 20 N. baraki females into the bag produced a mean number 5218 ± 212.10 offspring in 6 weeks with a 260-fold increase of the initial population.     

Methyl salicylate production in tomato affects biotic interactions

The role of methyl salicylate (MeSA) production was studied in indirect and direct defence responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to the spider mite Tetranychus urticae and the root‐invading fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, respectively. To this end, we silenced the tomato gene encoding salicylic acid methyl transferase (SAMT). Silencing of SAMT led to a major reduction in SAMT expression and MeSA emission upon herbivory by spider mites, without affecting the induced emission of other volatiles (terpenoids). The predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis, which preys on T. urticae, could not discriminate between infested and non‐infested SAMT‐silenced lines, as it could for wild‐type tomato plants. Moreover, when given the choice between infested SAMT‐silenced and infested wild‐type plants, they preferred the latter. These findings are supportive of a major role for MeSA in this indirect defence response of tomato. SAMT‐silenced tomato plants were less susceptible to a virulent strain of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici, indicating that the direct defense responses in the roots are also affected in these plants. Our studies show that the conversion of SA to MeSA can affect both direct and indirect plant defence responses.     

Anatomy and function of the ptychoid defensive mechanism in the mite Euphthiracarus cooki (Acari: Oribatida)

Ptychoidy is a defensive adaptation of several groups of oribatid mites in which legs and coxisternum can be fully retracted into the opisthosoma and protected by a ventrally deflected prodorsum, resulting in a seed-like appearance. Using Euphthiracarus cooki as a model, we examined details of exoskeletal and muscular anatomy in combination with studies of live individuals to provide the first functional analysis of ptychoidy. There are two main functional components: the first is a set of exoskeletal and muscular adaptations, mostly of the podosoma and prodorsum, that combine to effect leg withdrawal and prodorsal deflection; the second comprises adaptations of the opisthosoma that allow control of hydrostatic pressure during the large hemocoel volume adjustments associated with ptychoidy. Adaptations important in the closing process (enptychosis) are found in four body regions. Much of the podosomal exoskeleton (especially pleural) is unsclerotized, which facilitates leg retraction and prodorsal deflection during enptychosis. The coxisternum has several flexible furrows along which it folds in order to bring legs into a tightly parallel arrangement. The prodorsum has specialized attachment surfaces (manubrium and inferior retractor process) for retractor muscles and a paired bothridial scale that participates in prodorsal alignment during enptychosis. The subcapitulum has a prominent capitular apodeme on which important retractor muscles insert. The mineralized notogaster has an anterior "collar" that accommodates the retracted prodorsum; it includes paired notches and receptacles that accommodate the bothridial scales, thereby creating a temporary fixed axis for rotation of the prodorsum in a "lazy hinge" mechanism. Specialized muscles form the retractor system; most conspicuous are the large coxisternal retractors and prodorsal retractors, both of which originate on the notogaster. Other components have adjustor roles; among them are muscles of the endosternal system that control retraction of the subcapitulum and assist leg retraction, and the dorsoventral muscles which adjust the folded coxisternum. Hemolymph pressure control is a function of the opisthosoma, where the principle exoskeletal elements form a pleated venter, having a cross-sectional shape like an inverted "W." Paired holoventral plates (each representing fused genital, aggenital, anal, and anal plates) form the inner angle and are flanked by paired plicature plates. The holoventral plates are connected medially in two ways : 1) by three permanent bridges of sclerotized cuticle that include an anterior phragmatal bridge and two widely spaced, hollow apodemes (preanal, postanal); 2) by temporary zipper-like closures of two different types. Lateral compression of the pleats is effected by a series of transversely arranged, lateral compressor muscles that run from plicature to holoventral plate edges, and from holoventral plate edges to the medial apodemes. Compression increases hydrostatic pressure in the opisthosoma and stores energy in both the slightly deformed, mineralized notogaster and in the three holoventral bridges. During normal activity the compressor system is active and the inflated podosomal region provides support for the extended legs. When the mite is irritated, the prodorsum is hydraulically ejected from its active position in the notogastral collar, then relaxation of the compressors causes a fall in hemolymph pressure and return of the notogaster to an undeformed condition. Muscles of the retractor system then act in specific sequence to retract and adjust the coxisternum and prodorsum until they are precisely positioned at the completion of enptychosis. The process takes between 0.5 and 1 sec. When irritation ceases, partial opening allows sensory leg hairs to "test" the environment. Resumption of normal, active posture (ecptychosis) involves activation of the lateral compressor system and hydraulic inflation of the podosoma, through which legs are extended and the prodorsum is reflected.     

The influence of sublethal deposits of agricultural mineral oil on the functional and numerical responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytoseiulus persimilis</Emphasis> (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to its prey, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus urticae</Emphasis> (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Occasional pesticide application in integrated pest management to at least part of a crop requires that any biological control agents must re-invade previously sprayed areas in order that resurgent pests can be constrained. The ability of the phytoseiid predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis to feed on adult two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae on excised leaf discs in both control conditions and in a treatment with a sub lethal residue of agricultural mineral oil (AMO) was assessed. The predator exhibited a Type II functional response with the asymptote significantly higher in the AMO conditions due to the fact that the prey grew slower and reached a smaller size in this treatment. In terms of prey volume eaten, the satiation level of the predator was unchanged by the AMO deposits. The numbers of eggs produced by adult P. persimilis females at densities of 4, 8 and 16 TSSM adult females/disc in the control were significantly higher than those in the AMO treatment, but were similar for the higher density levels, 32 and 64 prey per disc. Thus the functional response in terms of volume of prey eaten explained the numerical response in terms of predator eggs produced. The presence of AMO deposits when the prey were at high density had no effect on predator efficiency (volume eaten) but resulted in a lower intake than that in control conditions when there was a greater distance between prey.     

The effect of interspecific mating on sex ratios in the twospotted spider mite and the Banks grass mite (Acarina: Tetranychidae)

Mixed populations of the twospotted spider mite (TSM),Tetranychus urticae (Koch), and the Banks grass mite (BGM),Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), occur on corn and sorghum plants in late summer in the Great Plains. Interspecific matings between these arrhenotokous species occur readily in the laboratory but yield no female offspring. The effect of interspecific mating on female: male sex ratios was measured by examining the F₁ progeny of females that mated with both heterospecific and conspecific males in no-choice situations. TSM females that mated first with BGM males and then with TSM males produced a smaller percentage of female offspring than TSM females that mated only with TSM males (43.1±5.8 and 78.9±2.8% females, respectively). Similarly, BGM females mated with heterospecific males and then with conspecific males produced fewer female offspring than females mated only with BGM males (55.7±5.2 and 77.5±2.5%, respectively). Lower female: male sex ratios were produced also by BGM females that mated with TSM males after first mating with conspecifics (62.4±3.4%). In mixed populations containing males of both species, females also produced lower female: male sex ratios, but these ratios were not as low as expected based on mating propensities and progeny sex ratios observed in no-choice tests. These data suggest that interspecific mating may substantially reduce female fitness in both mite species by reducing the output of female offspring, but in mixed populations this effect is mitigated by unidentified behavioral mechanisms.     

Sensitization of Children to Storage Mites in Kutahya, Turkey

Specific IgE against Acarus siro, Glycphagus domesticus, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Lepidoglyphus destructor have been investigated by ELISA in sera of 92 children. Of them, 41 were found to be specific IgE positive (≥ 0.35 IU/ml) against at least one of house dust mite species, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, by an immunoblot. In 65.9% of the dust mite-sensitized children, specific IgE against at least one of these mite species was found. Sensitization levels, including co-sensitization cases were found to be 35.7% against A. siro, 24.4% against T. putrescentiae, 31.7% against L. destructor, and 26.8% against G. domesticus. In non-sensitized children, dust mite sensitization level was found to be 25.5%. Breakdown of sensitization by individual species in this group was; against A. siro and T. putrescentiae at 7.8%, against L. destructor at 13.7%, and against G. domesticus at 9.8%. When all children were reckoned, 43.5% was found to be sensitized against at least one storage mite species, with sensitizations against A. siro at 18.5%, T. putrescentiae at 26.1%, L. destructor at 21.7%, and G. domesticus at 17.4%. In dust samples collected from the dwellings of children, distribution of species was found to be A. siro (17%), G. domesticus (23%), T. putrescentiae (29%), L. destructor (25%), and unidentified (6%). In Fisher''s chi-square test on SPSS program, there was a relationship between dust mite sensitization and storage mite sensitization (P < 0.05), but no meaningful relationship was found on the basis of individual mite species.     

Predation of Galendromus helveolus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Brevipalpus californicus (Acari: Tenuipalpidae)

The false spider mite, Brevipalpus californicus (Banks), is a major citrus pest in Texas. This phytophagous mite causes damage to fruit, leaves and stems of citrus, and is also a vector of citrus leprosis virus. Galendromus helveolus (Chant) is one of the most prevalent predacious mite species found on Texas citrus. The predation potential of G. helveolus on different stages of B. californicus was evaluated in the laboratory. An individual immature G. helveolus mite consumed an average of 30.7 eggs, 53.6 larvae, or 22.7 nymphs of B. californicus before developing to an adult. An individual adult female G. helveolus consumed an average of 164.8 eggs, 369.6 larvae, or 80.9 nymphs of B. californicus. Both immature and adult G. helveolus never fed on adult stage of B. californicus and never completed development. The development times of the immature stages of G. helveolus were 4.5, 4.1 and 4.6 days when fed on eggs, larvae and nymphs of B. californicus, respectively. When G. helveolus fed on the larval stage of B. californicus, the adults had the longest longevity (18.5 days) and the highest fecundity (14.0 eggs/female).