Precopulatory Pairing and Mating of Psoroptes Mites (Acari: Psoroptidae)

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Abstract
Adult males of 2 species of Psoroptes formed attachment pairs with both nymphal stages of the female. However, more female nymphs of both species were paired while in the tritonymph stage than as protonymphs. This attachment behavior is compared to the “guarding” behavior of male Tetranychus mites on female deutonymphs. It is argued that the probability of successful mating by adult males of both species is increased by the long attachment period. Copulation between the sexes occurred after the tritonymph female molted to the adult stage. Microscopic examination of nymphal and adult females showed that only adults possessed the bursa copulatrix, which was on the anal plate of both species. When females of either species were separated from males as nymphs, they developed to the adult stage but produced no eggs or offspring. Female nymphs paired with adult males mated and produced eggs after developing to the adult stage. The mating process between adult males and females is described.