Metabolic rate and life stage of the mites Tetranychus cinnabarinus boisd. (Prostigmata) and Phytoseiulus persimilis A-H. (Mesostigmata)

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Abstract
Respiration rates (oxygen uptake per individual) of the herbivorous mite Tetranychus cinnabarinus Boisd. and of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis A-H. were measured at 25°C for all life stages, including eggs, using a Cartesian Diver micro-respirometer. Metabolic rates (oxygen uptake per unit weight) ranged between 0.27 and 2.32 nl O2 μg-1 live weight h-1 in T. cinnabarinus, and between 0.99 and 3.69 nl O2 μg-1 live weight h-1 in P. persimilis. The difference in metabolic rate ranges is attributed to different modes of life. The metabolic rates of both species are higher than those of comparable mite species, which is attributed to their small size, rapid development and limited sclerotization. Respiration-body weight regression gave the single equation log10 R=-0.091+1.213 log10 W for all post-embryonic stages of T. cinnabarinus but two equations for P. persimilis of log10 R=0.394+1.116 log10 W for gravid females and log10 R=0.880+0.348 log10 W for all non-reproducing post-embryonic stages. The single respiration-body weight relationship for T. cinnabarinus reflects the continuous growth pattern of this species, and the two relationships for P. persimilis reflect the accelerated growth following fertilization. The significance of these results for invertebrate population metabolism studies is discussed.