Population Growth and Developmental Stages of the House Dust Mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae)

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Abstract
Population growth and composition of the developmental stages of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Trouessart, were studied in the laboratory for 22 wk. The initial mite growth was a sigmoidal increase; during the remaining period of observation, large fluctuations in density were registered. From about the 12th wk onward, the relative frequency of the crawling stages was nearly constant. During the rearing period, one major egg peak was observed to be followed by minor peaks. When the culture became overcrowded and the living conditions became stressful, a prolonged nymphal stage appeared. There was a significant negative correlation between the frequency of intact nymphs and larvae, and thus the nymphs appear to have a key role in the population dynamics of this species with the ability to withstand unfavorable conditions.