The impact of temperature on activity and consumption rate of moth eggs by Blattisocius tarsalis (Acari: Ascidae)

The activity of adult female Blattisocius tarsalis was investigated at temperatures of 7–13°C. At 7°C only 33% of the mites walked and these individuals all walked less than 1.5 cm min–1. All mites walked at 9°C and at 12°C all were highly active, walking more than 1.5 cm min–1. Daily food consumption rates of adult female B. tarsalis offered young eggs of Ephestia kuehniella as food were investigated at temperatures of 9–27°C. Food consumption below 13°C was very low. At temperatures of 13–19°C the mean number of fully ingested eggs had a level of between 0.5 and 1.0 egg in 24 h. At temperatures of 21–27°C the mean number of fully ingested eggs was above 1.0 egg in 24 h. The mean number of destroyed eggs per female at temperatures above 13°C ranged from three to five eggs per day. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998