Life-cycle, longevity and fecundity of Blomia tropicalis (Acari : Glycyphagidae) in a tropical laboratory

In the present study on the life-cycle of Blomia tropicolis. freshly laid eggs were observed until they developed into adults; the development periods between stages were recorded. The eggs took an average of 22.9 ± 6.4 days to develop to adults. For longevity experiments, newly emerged adults were kept at 25°C and observed until they died. There was no significant difference in longevities of the stopped and the (p = 0.053). Production of eggs by mated females were monitored until egg production stopped and the female died. Mated females and males survived an average of 32.2 ± 15.4 and 30.9 ± 17.7 days respectively. The difference in longevity of the mated females, and males was not significant (p = 0.747). Longevity of the mated females was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) shorter than unmated females.