Fertilisation, sex ratio and postembryonic stages of the citrus bud miteAceria sheldoni(Ewing) (Acarina, Eriophyidae)

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Abstract
A series of laboratory experiments was made on the citrus bud mite Aceria sheldoni(Ewing). The postembryonic stages consist of larva, nymphochrysalis, nymph and imagochrysalis, each of which lasts 1–2 days, and imago, which lasts about two weeks. The nymphochrysalis and imagochrysalis are inactive pre-ecdysial stages, while the others are true active stages. The mite shows facultative arrhenotoky. Adult males deposit stalked spermatophores from which the sperm masses are taken up by virgin females. At 24–0°C fertilised females laid eggs that produced offspring consisting of 7–25% males. The males deposited 25–100 spermatophores (2–15 daily) during their adult life, with occasional interruptions. Spermatophores exposed for one hour to relatively extreme temperatures of < 5°C or > 38°C did not fertilise eggs. Mite populations from lemon trees usually comprised a low percentage of males in winter and a high percentage in spring and autumn.

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